President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed into law a bill establishing the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), an agency designed to address developmental challenges and accelerate economic growth in the region.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the presidential assent during Tuesday’s plenary session at the National Assembly, confirming that the commission has now been legally established. The NCDC is expected to focus on reconstruction, rehabilitation, and infrastructure development in the North-Central geopolitical zone, which comprises Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The commission is expected to operate as an intervention agency to tackle socio-economic challenges and enhance development efforts in the region. Over the years, states in North-Central Nigeria have faced various setbacks, including conflicts, insecurity, and infrastructural deficiencies, which have hindered economic progress. With the creation of the NCDC, the federal government aims to revitalize the region and implement targeted solutions to its most pressing challenges.
The establishment of the NCDC follows the recent creation of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and the North West Development Commission (NWDC), both of which were also signed into law by President Tinubu. These commissions are modeled after the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), which was created to address the developmental needs of the oil-producing Niger Delta region.
With the signing of the bill, attention is expected to shift towards the implementation phase, including the appointment of a governing board, budgetary allocations, and the development of a strategic framework to guide the commission’s activities. The effectiveness of the NCDC will depend on proper funding, transparent governance, and efficient execution of its mandate to ensure sustainable development across the region.
