A new development chapter is unfolding in the North-central region of Nigeria as stakeholders have adopted an ambitious 20-year economic, infrastructural, and social development blueprint. The blueprint, covering 2027 to 2046, emerged from the North Central Development Commission's (NCDC) maiden summit in Abuja. The summit brought together policymakers, development experts, and stakeholders to chart a new course for the region. The plan aims to transform the zone into a productive, connected, inclusive, and resilient regional economy.
The summit, themed 'The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region,' was declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. Tinubu said the establishment of NCDC and other Regional Development Commissions was driven by the need to close persistent development gaps and accelerate balanced national growth. He assured the commission of the Federal Government's political and financial backing.
The North-central region, comprising Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau states, alongside the Federal Capital Territory, is rich in resources but poor in conversion. The region possesses extensive agricultural land, water resources, mineral deposits, energy potential, human capital, and strategic access to major markets. However, these assets have not consistently translated into higher productivity, increased incomes, industrial capacity, or improved social outcomes.
A former minister and scholar, Senator Iyorwuese Hagher, said the region possessed enormous potential that had remained largely underutilized. He urged the people and leaders of the North-central to seize the opportunity provided by NCDC to convert the region's natural and human resources into shared prosperity. The challenge, he said, is building the institutions, infrastructure, and partnerships required to turn those assets into opportunities for millions of people.
Agriculture occupies a central position in the new development blueprint. The summit recommended that NCDC develop a GIS-enabled regional economic database and conduct state-by-state mapping of comparative advantages, productive assets, land, farms, water resources, crops, minerals, infrastructure deficits, and investment opportunities. The plan seeks to push the region towards value addition and industrial processing, creating jobs, increasing incomes, and strengthening the competitiveness of its agricultural products.
One of the strongest recommendations of the summit was the development of an integrated North-central infrastructure programme linking the six states and the FCT through strategic roads, railways, inland waterways, and logistics systems. The programme is expected to prioritize rehabilitation and completion of transport corridors that can unlock agricultural production, markets, and investment. The summit also recommended assessing the feasibility of regional rail infrastructure, Baro inland-port logistics, dry-port connections, and modern freight systems.
The 20-year plan also places human development at the centre of regional transformation. Participants recommended a disaggregated North-central human capital and social inclusion database covering children, young people, women, persons with disabilities, indigent households, and rural communities. The data, they said, should guide needs-based interventions and provide a basis for measuring outcomes. Key priorities include education, healthcare, and social protection, with a focus on reducing poverty and inequality.
Key points
- The North-central region of Nigeria has unveiled a 20-year development blueprint to boost its economy, infrastructure, and social development.
- The plan aims to transform the region into a productive, connected, inclusive, and resilient regional economy.
- The development blueprint was adopted at the North Central Development Commission's maiden summit in Abuja.
