Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has backed a 20-year development plan for the North Central region, saying long-term regional planning is critical to unlocking economic potential and accelerating development across the country.
President Tinubu said the plan, being developed by the North Central Development Commission, NCDC, would help address longstanding development gaps and create stronger connections between regional economies.
The President who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Sen. George Akume spoke on Monday at the First North Central Stakeholders Development Summit in Abuja, describing the establishment of Regional Development Commissions as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the commissions were expected to focus on major projects capable of unlocking regional potential and improving national connectivity.
“We want to see major projects in roads, rail, air transportation, industrialization, security, investment, human capital development, education and health and other sectors,”. The President said.
The Nigerian leader said that the North Central has significant opportunities in agriculture, food production, agro-processing, solid minerals and industrial development, but has not fully realised its potential.
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The President also urged the NCDC to ensure that the 20-year plan translates into practical development outcomes rather than remaining a policy document and called on stakeholders to scrutinise the plan and ensure it reflects the aspirations of the people aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
President Tinubu pledged continued political and financial support for the NCDC and other Regional Development Commissions and directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to ensure that funds accruable to the commissions are released as and when due.
“However, we do not expect the Regional Development Commissions to fold their arms and wait for government funding. They must be ingenious and explore other sources such as Public Private Partnerships, Donor Funding and Development Financing among others to carry out transformative projects as allowed by establishment Acts and extant government guidelines,” he said.
Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, said the proposed plan would provide a common development vision capable of transcending individual states, projects and political administrations.
He stressed that “transformational development requires long-term planning,” adding that major regions are built through sustained implementation of clear visions, strong institutions, consistent policies and partnerships.
The Minister urged that the North Central Development Commission should serve as an instrument for strategic regional transformation rather than merely another federal intervention agency.
“Its mandate provides the North Central with an opportunity to move beyond fragmented interventions towards coordinated planning, integrated infrastructure, economic competitiveness and sustainable development.”
The Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu said the policy, being harmonised by the Ministry in collaboration with the National Economic Council, Regional Development Commissions and development partners, is at an advanced stage ahead of submission to the Federal Executive Council.
He noted that the North Central region, comprising Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, remains critical to Nigeria’s economy but faces insecurity, infrastructure deficits and displacement of communities.
He urged stakeholders to identify priorities in infrastructure, agriculture, human capital, security and investment, stressing that “Government alone cannot deliver the scale of transformation this zone deserves.”
The Managing Director of NCDC Dr Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil called for greater regional collaboration in agriculture, mining and infrastructure, saying the region must move from the production of raw materials to value addition and industrialisation.
He said discussions had already commenced on major projects including a regional railway network, revival of Ajaokuta Steel, dredging of the Rivers Benue and Niger, Baro Port and the Jos Dry Inland Port.
The Managing Director said the summit would move beyond speeches to investment opportunities and concrete commitments through structured Deal Rooms, where projects would be classified according to their readiness for investment.
“Development must also be measurable, not the number of meetings held, not the number of memorandas signed, but the number of lives changed and investments delivered should determine success.
Stakeholders must work together to build a North Central where investment creates opportunities, opportunity creates jobs and jobs creates dignity, and dignity creates peace.”
