By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government has inaugurated the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), South-South Development Commission (SSDC), and South-West Development Commission (SWDC), charging their management teams and governing boards to align all initiatives with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its eight presidential priorities.
The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, speaking during the inauguration ceremony held Thursday in Abuja, described the event as “a watershed in Nigeria’s giant stride towards equitable and sustainable regional development.”
“This historic step reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s sincere aspiration and bold commitment to ensure holistic development of all regions of our country,” Momoh said. “For the first time in Nigeria’s history, a targeted and deliberate approach has been taken to achieve balanced growth across all regions. The Federal Government has also earmarked billions of naira for the effective take-off of these commissions.”
The Minister explained that the newly established Ministry of Regional Development, carved out of the defunct Ministry of Niger Delta Development, is mandated to coordinate intervention efforts of agencies, communities, donors, and stakeholders while overseeing the operations of all regional development commissions.
“You are expected to diligently perform your mandates, ensuring that your programmes and policies align with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Momoh told the appointees. “Your role is not just about distributing funds or managing projects; it is about rebuilding trust in governance by delivering results that truly improve lives. I expect transparency, integrity, and professionalism in every decision you take.”
He further stressed the need for collaboration with state governments, private sector players, and development partners, pledging that his ministry would sign performance bonds with the commissions’ leadership to ensure accountability.
Also speaking at the event, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, hailed President Tinubu’s leadership for “taking a bold and visionary step to bring development closer to the grassroots.” He urged the commissions to avoid wasteful spending and focus on impactful infrastructure and social projects.
“This administration is bent on ensuring development reaches every nook and cranny of the country,” Tajudeen said. “We expect you to carry out only projects with meaningful impact and avoid unnecessary contracts that strain public funds.”
Representing Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Yusuf Ubangari, expressed excitement that the NCDC would be headquartered in Nasarawa and pledged immediate support for its take-off. “In demonstrating our readiness, we have already earmarked an office complex for the Commission,” he announced.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on NCDC, Senator Titus Zam Tartenger, praised President Tinubu for prioritizing grassroots development. “These development commissions will complement state efforts to bring transformative growth to communities. As legislators, we will exercise diligent oversight to ensure the commissions succeed,” he said.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Regional Development, H.E. Uba Maigari Ahmadu, who emphasized that the commissions are “catalysts for structural renewal, social empowerment, and economic diversification,” while reiterating their role in advancing peace, stability, and national unity.
In his acceptance speech, Senator Bassey Albert, Chairman of the South-South Development Commission, pledged transparency and close engagement with stakeholders to fulfill the commission’s mandate. “We will consult constantly and ensure holistic development of the South-South region,” Albert said.
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Two others acceptance speeches were given by the chairmen of Commission’s that was inaugurated.
The inauguration marks the operational launch of six regional development commissions initiated under President Tinubu’s administration, signaling what officials described as a “new era of balanced regional growth” for Nigeria
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