Minister Tasks NCDC to Deliver Measurable, Sustainable Development in North Central

Minister Tasks NCDC to Deliver Measurable, Sustainable Development in North Central

The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, has tasked the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) with delivering measurable results, accountability and inclusive, coordinated and sustainable development across the North Central region.

Momoh made the call on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the opening ceremony of the First North Central Stakeholders’ Development Summit, organised by the NCDC at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja.

The summit, themed “The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region,” brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on a long-term development framework for the region.

Addressing participants, the Minister stressed the importance of strategic planning, effective coordination and broad stakeholder engagement in closing development gaps and unlocking the economic potential of the North Central region.

He said the Ministry of Regional Development was prepared to work with the NCDC, governments of the North Central states, the Federal Capital Territory, development partners, private-sector organisations and local communities to achieve measurable and lasting development.

Momoh described the 20-year development plan as ambitious and timely, noting that it would enable the region to establish a common vision that transcends individual states, projects and administrations.

“Transformational development requires long-term planning,” he said, stressing that the proposed framework should look beyond immediate challenges and define the North Central region the stakeholders want to build over the next two decades.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Regional Development, H.E. Uba Maigari Ahmadu, commended the NCDC for its efforts towards coordinated planning, strategic investments and sustainable interventions aimed at promoting inclusive growth and improving the quality of life of citizens across the region.

Maigari stressed the need for concerted efforts among stakeholders to achieve sustainable socio-economic transformation and assured the Commission of the Ministry’s continued support.

In his welcome address, the Managing Director of the NCDC, Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Commission, describing the summit as a significant step towards fulfilling its mandate.

Tsenyil urged stakeholders to shift from planning to implementation and maximise the region’s economic potential through value addition, investment mobilisation and regional collaboration.

“Let us therefore move from potential to productivity; from raw materials to value addition; from isolated projects to regional corridors; from ideas to bankable projects; from government spending to investment mobilisation; and from competition to collaboration — from regional potential to regional prosperity,” he said.

He added that the ultimate goal was to build a North Central region where investment creates opportunities, opportunities create jobs and jobs promote dignity and peace.

The summit is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to develop a comprehensive and coordinated framework for the region’s economic, infrastructural and social transformation over the next 20 years.

Minister Tasks NCDC to Deliver Measurable, Sustainable Development in North Central