Prof. Adebayo Okonkwo

Prof. Adebayo Okonkwo is a globally respected urban planner and policy expert specializing in building resilient, inclusive, and future-ready cities. Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Prof. Okonkwo has over 25 years of experience in designing infrastructure systems that respond to rapid urbanization, climate change, and socio-economic inequality.

He holds a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a master’s in Civil Engineering from the University of Lagos. His early work in the 2000s with the UN-Habitat program focused on developing slum-upgrading policies in West Africa that integrated sanitation, housing, and flood management.

From 2015 to 2022, he served as Chief Urban Development Advisor to the African Union’s Infrastructure Commission. During this time, he led the Pan-African Resilient Cities Initiative, delivering sustainable transit, green spaces, and data-driven zoning strategies to over 20 cities. His Lagos Green Spine Project, launched in 2019, is credited with reducing urban flooding and creating over 5,000 green jobs.

In 2023, Prof. Okonkwo joined the World Resources Institute (WRI) as Global Director for Urban Transformation, overseeing smart infrastructure projects across Latin America, Asia, and Africa. His current focus includes AI-powered traffic modeling, equitable transit-oriented development, and nature-based solutions for megacities.

He serves on the UN High-Level Panel on Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and advises the Global Covenant of Mayors. In addition, he is a visiting professor at the University of Cape Town and an active mentor for youth-led urban innovation labs.

Prof. Okonkwo is a frequent speaker at the World Urban Forum, C40 Climate Summits, and TEDxLagos. He is committed to “ensuring every city, regardless of income level, has the tools and voice to shape its own sustainable future.”