President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, to ensure the timely release of all funds accruable to Nigeria’s Regional Development Commissions. The directive was given at the first North Central Stakeholders Development Summit in Abuja.
Tinubu, who was represented by Akume, said the commissions were created under the Renewed Hope Agenda to close longstanding development gaps and unlock the economic and industrial potential of each region. He assured that the Federal Government would continue to provide political and financial backing for key projects. Reports indicate about N1.3 trillion in statutory transfers to the commissions is covered in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The President warned the boards and management of the commissions against corruption, waste and politically driven projects, saying sanctions await officials found culpable. “The era of white elephant projects is over and there is no excuse for the Commissions to become another conduit pipe for wasting public funds,” he said.
He urged the commissions not to depend solely on government funding but to mobilise private capital, donor support and development financing through public-private partnerships. Priority areas include roads, rail, air transportation, industrialisation, security, investment, education, health and human-capital development.
Tinubu stressed that the regional commissions were not established to replace, duplicate or usurp the functions of federal, state and local governments. The North Central Development Commission also unveiled a 20-year development plan at the summit aimed at transforming the region’s agricultural, mineral, infrastructural and human-capital potential.
