The North Central Development Commission NCDC has proposed a 20-year development plan aimed at transforming the region into a more productive, connected, inclusive, secure and digitally enabled economic hub.
The proposal, contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the NCDC Road Map and Stakeholders’ Development Summit in Abuja, covers Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, from 2027 to 2046.
The communique was presented by the Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee, Professor Muhammad Nuhu, and adopted by participants at the close of the summit.
The communique said that the two-day summit, held under the theme, “The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region,” brought together 862 physical and 49 online participants.
They included government officials, governors, lawmakers, traditional and religious leaders, development partners, the private sector, academia, civil society and youth and women groups.
The Commission said; “the plan would address persistent challenges including fragmented planning, weak inter-state connectivity, insecurity, infrastructure deficits, limited value addition, unreliable data and inconsistent implementation.”
It noted that the region possesses extensive agricultural land, water, mineral and energy resources, but has not consistently converted these assets into higher productivity, incomes and industrial capacity.
At the opening of the summit, NCDC Managing Director, Dr Cyril Tsenyil described the gathering as the beginning of an “inclusive, evidence-led and implementation-focused development journey” for the region.
Keynote speaker, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher called for the region’s strategic location, natural resources, diversity and human capital to be converted into shared prosperity.
Professor Hagher urged the NCDC to serve as “the strategic coordinating institution for an integrated regional economy,” with emphasis on peace, value addition, human capital, technology, regional unity and disciplined implementation.
The communiqué also highlighted agriculture and mineral resources as major drivers of regional economic growth.
It recommended state-specific agricultural and livestock value chains covering mechanisation, irrigation, storage, processing, packaging, branding and exports, while calling for the formalisation of artisanal mining and the development of mineral-processing and manufacturing clusters.
On infrastructure, the summit called for an integrated regional programme linking the six states and the FCT through roads, rail, inland waterways and logistics systems.
It specifically urged urgent consideration of major corridors, including the Abuja-Lokoja Road, as well as the phased development of regional rail, Baro inland-port logistics, dry-port connections and modern freight systems.
The plan also places security, human capital and social inclusion at the centre of regional development. Participants resolved to establish a coordinated regional security and peacebuilding framework, strengthen intelligence sharing and community engagement, and integrate security considerations into farms, transport corridors, schools, markets and infrastructure projects.
The summit further recommended improved access to education and healthcare, expanded STEM and vocational training, and targeted economic opportunities for women, young people and persons with disabilities.
The communiqué proposed a digital transformation programme involving expanded broadband access, AI and digital-skills centres, teacher training, innovation hubs and technology enterprises, while calling for stronger climate and disaster resilience measures.
On financing, it recommended combining public funding, development finance, public-private partnerships, capital markets, climate finance and diaspora investment, supported by proper project preparation and transparent procurement.
The communiqué said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, commended the consultative process and endorsed the long-term planning approach, calling for “high-impact, realistic and fundable interventions” backed by strong governance, accountability, diversified financing and effective implementation.
The communiqué recommended formal adoption of the plan, creation of an NCDC Programme Management Office, clear responsibilities for implementing institutions and regular public reporting to ensure continuity beyond electoral cycles.
