The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to develop a national framework for regional development plans, covering each region of the country. This move is aimed at promoting coordinated and inclusive growth nationwide. The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, has urged regional development commissions to emulate the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in producing master plans that will be harmonized into a regional development compass.
Minister Momoh gave the charge during the NDDC 2026 Partners for Sustainable Development (PSD) Conference at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He stated that each development commission was expected to derive its master plan and operational agenda from the national framework, in line with the Ministry's mandate to coordinate regional development. The Minister emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to regional development, noting that no single institution could manage the complex challenges of a region alone.
The Minister praised the NDDC board and management for convening the partnership and sustainable development conference, describing it as timely and necessary. He observed that the region's progress depended not only on what each stakeholder does, but on how they plan, invest, and act together. President Bola Tinubu's government, he added, remained committed to programs that expand opportunities, strengthen livelihoods, protect vulnerable communities, and provide lasting prosperity.
Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo State, stressed the need for the governors of the nine oil-producing states to partner with NDDC for sustainable development in the region. Uzodinma was represented by Chinyere Ekomaru, his deputy, who pledged support for President Tinubu. The governor's call for partnership is seen as a move to ensure that the region's development is driven by a collaborative approach.
Samuel Ogbuku, the NDDC Managing Director, highlighted the importance of engaging stakeholders to develop strategies for economic growth and development in the Niger Delta region. He stated that the 1.2-kilometre Kaa-Ataba Bridge linking the Khana Local Government Area to the Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State would be named after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Ogbuku emphasized the need for buy-in and confidence-building, noting that the Commission had established processes to ensure a new institutional culture, anchored in sound ethics and good corporate governance.
Ogbuku further stated that KPMG, a reputable global business consultancy, had reviewed the Commission's processes to strengthen its corporate governance system. The NDDC now has a robust Corporate Governance structure that fosters accountability and transparency, backed by a clear and measurable set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track progress toward goals. This move is aimed at ensuring that the Commission's operations are transparent and efficient.
Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of the NDDC board, said the Commission adopted a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and the Governance Advisory Policies, as approved by the Commission's Governing Board. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Asuquo Ekpenyong, stated that the Senate Committee would continue to strengthen oversight to ensure transparency, efficiency, and timely delivery of projects across the Niger Delta region.
Key points
- The Federal Government is set to develop a national framework for regional development plans to promote coordinated and inclusive growth nationwide.
- Minister Abubakar Momoh has urged regional development commissions to emulate the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in producing master plans.
- The NDDC has adopted a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Governance Advisory Policies to guide its operations.
