The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has announced that the value of its ongoing and planned development projects across the North-East region has risen to about N1.5 trillion. This significant investment aims to boost infrastructure, electric mobility, and renewable energy across the region. The commission's managing director and chief executive officer, Mohammed Alkali, made this disclosure in Abuja at the opening of the NEDC 2026 ISO Executive Management Retreat.
According to Alkali, the commission currently has about N800 billion worth of ongoing physical projects, including roads, bridges, and other infrastructure across the six states of the North-East. These projects are expected to have a positive impact on the region's development. The project portfolio is anticipated to rise to approximately N1.5 trillion as additional projects are incorporated in the coming days. This substantial investment is expected to drive growth and development in the region.
A significant portion of the projected investment, N400 billion, will go into two major energy and transportation initiatives. One of these initiatives is an electric vehicle project estimated at N200 billion, while the other is the deployment of mini-grids across the region, also valued at N200 billion. The mini-grid projects will have a combined capacity of 50 megawatts, which is expected to improve the region's energy supply. The electric vehicle project is slated for commissioning in Maiduguri in the coming weeks.
In addition to these projects, Alkali disclosed that the Commission has installed about 70,000 solar-powered street lights between 2024 and 2025 across the North-East. Furthermore, an additional 60,000 solar street lights are planned for installation in 2026, which would bring the projected total to more than 130,000 installations across the region. This initiative aims to improve street lighting and enhance security in the region.
Alkali urged senior management staff attending the three-day retreat to subject the commission's major projects to critical scrutiny and make recommendations that could improve their implementation. He specifically identified the electric vehicle and mini-grid projects for detailed examination during the group discussions. This move is expected to ensure that the projects are effectively implemented and deliver the desired outcomes.
The NEDC boss also cautioned that the Commission's growing profile and recognition placed greater responsibility on its management and staff to sustain its achievements. He emphasized that maintaining and sustaining the standards would be more important in the long term, especially following the Commission's acquisition of five ISO certifications. Alkali stressed that protecting the value created by these certifications and other institutional reforms was crucial.
The retreat aims to move the Commission beyond merely understanding ISO standards to taking ownership of the systems. The acting head of the Governance and Compliance Service Reforms Unit, Fatima Dalhatu, emphasized that the Integrated Management System should not be regarded as something separate from the Commission's normal operations, but as a framework for improving the way it delivers its mandate.
Key points
- The North East Development Commission's project portfolio is expected to rise to approximately N1.5 trillion.
- The commission has installed about 70,000 solar-powered street lights between 2024 and 2025.
- The Commission acquired five ISO certifications, and sustaining these standards will be crucial for its long-term success.
