Minister of Regional Development, Engr Abubakar Momoh, has called on regional development commissions to ensure fairness and inclusivity in the discharge of their mandates.
He stressed the need to include all communities to achieve sustainable development and national cohesion.
Momoh gave the directive at the opening of a two-day workshop on the review of the policy roadmap of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) held from October 7 to 8, 2025, in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was committed to ensuring that development was not concentrated in urban areas alone, but extended to every region, state, and community across the country.
The minister also urged the commissions to harness the unique strengths and resources of their regions — including agriculture, solid minerals, and human capital — to drive inclusive growth.
“For the North Central region, this is a moment of renewal. This region is blessed with vast agricultural potential, solid minerals and resilient people, which hold the key to food security for the entire country,” he added.
While commending the NCDC for developing a strategic roadmap for regional transformation, the minister assured the commission of the ministry’s support, provided it remains focused on its core mandate.
“Once you are doing the right thing, you have our support; it’s only when you deviate that we will draw back, because the ministry will be held accountable if things go wrong with the development commissions,” he warned.
In his remarks, the minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, advised the participants to strengthen partnerships with state governments, private sector players, donor agencies and local communities.
He emphasised accountability, transparency and long-term planning as key pillars for sustainable progress.
The ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr Mary Ogbe, identified five focus areas for the commission: policy coherence and prioritisation; evidence-based performance management; local content and community ownership; partnership and financing and sustainability with cultural preservation.
The managing director of the NCDC, Dr Cyril Tsenyil, said the commission had begun laying a strong foundation since its inauguration in August.
“We have established an operational structure, reached out to key stakeholders and formed strategic partnerships. Our partner, Spring, has provided seasoned experts to guide our discussions in key thematic areas, including governance, accountability and peace as a foundation for sustainable development,” he said.
