President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has officially signed the South-West Development Commission (SWDC) Bill and the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) Bill into law, completing the establishment of development commissions for all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session, where he commended the president for his commitment to regional development.
“Just to inform distinguished senators that Mr. President has assented to the remaining regional development bills—the South-West Development Commission Bill and the South-South Development Commission Bill. We now have all the developmental commissions legally in existence,” Akpabio said.
A Boost for Regional Development
The newly established commissions are expected to drive infrastructure development, economic growth, and social welfare in their respective regions. Akpabio emphasized that these initiatives would create jobs and bring development closer to the grassroots.
The legislative journey for the bills saw the SWDC Bill passing the Senate in September 2024, spearheaded by Ogun East Senator Gbenga Daniel, while the SSDC Bill was passed in October 2024, sponsored by Cross River South Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong. Both bills were later approved by the House of Representatives before receiving the president’s assent.
These commissions join the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) and the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), both signed into law by Tinubu in July 2024.
Presidency Commends Tinubu’s Leadership
Presidential Adviser on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, hailed the development as a testament to Tinubu’s commitment to national progress.
“These landmark legislations reflect President Tinubu’s relentless commitment to inclusive governance, equitable progress, and Nigeria’s emergence as a global powerhouse,” Lado said.
In addition to these bills, the presidency also highlighted the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill 2025, which aligns with global standards by domesticating the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sports.
