This paper examines the concept of academic planning and the challenges faced by the Academic Planning Units of respective universities in the development of Nigerian universities. It also examines the key role played by the Academic Planning Unit in development of universities vis-à-vis programme and institutional planning. Programme and Institutional planning are, without a doubt, considered the fulcrum of university sustainability. Series of suggestions and possible solutions to planning problems have been offered for enduring and sustainable university system. The key to the resolution of these challenges is at best with an Academic Planner who is equipped with the knowledge of emerging issues. Moreover, the planner’s requirements have to be supported by the university management team, if the university is to fully realise its objectives. The regulatory body which assures quality in the system, in the case of Nigeria, the National Universities Commission – NUC, should be determined to drive innovations into the curriculum to suit the nation’s needs and aspirations for its universities graduates. Of course, the nation should have feasible strategic goals and objectives. Furthermore, this paper explores the key implications of programme planning in Nigerian universities, provides possible solutions to intricate problems of planning and programme implementation. We have endeavoured to answer the key questions of why, when, where, how planning should be done. Other related issues such as: who should do the planning and for what category of people or organization, have equally been addressed. In fact, University sustainability largely depends on providing the right answers to the key questions of strategic and academic planning.