Tinubu Orders Release of Funds to Regional Development Commissions

President Bola Tinubu has directed the timely release of all approved funds to Nigeria’s Regional Development Commissions to enable them to accelerate development projects across the country.

Tinubu gave the directive on Monday while declaring open the inaugural North Central Stakeholders’ Development Summit in Abuja, where the North Central Development Commission unveiled plans for a 20-year development blueprint for the region.

Represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the President directed the SGF to ensure that funds approved for the regional commissions were released without unnecessary delays.

The President said the creation of the Regional Development Commissions was part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and was designed to address persistent development gaps across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

He stressed that the commissions were not established to replace or duplicate the functions of federal, state or local governments but to complement existing structures and accelerate development in areas requiring regional interventions.

Tinubu said the commissions should focus on projects capable of unlocking the economic potential of their respective regions while strengthening connectivity across the country.

He identified roads, rail transportation, aviation, industrialisation, security, investment, human capital development, education and healthcare as areas requiring priority attention.

The President, however, warned the boards and management teams of the commissions against corruption, waste, politicisation and ethnic considerations in the execution of their mandates.

He declared that the era of white-elephant projects was over, stressing that public funds must be used for projects that provide tangible benefits to Nigerians.

Tinubu directed the Ministry of Regional Development to ensure that the commissions operate within the national regional development policy, while the National Assembly provides the necessary oversight.

He also warned that officials found culpable of corruption or other violations would face sanctions.

The President said development should be measured by its impact on citizens rather than by the number of projects listed on paper.

The North Central Development Commission covers Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

The commission’s management said the North Central region occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s economic geography, connecting northern and southern markets while possessing significant agricultural, mineral and human resources.

The commission is expected to use its 20-year development plan to coordinate investments in infrastructure, agriculture, security, education, healthcare, industrialisation and other sectors.

Tinubu’s directive is expected to facilitate the implementation of development programmes by the commissions and strengthen the Federal Government’s regional development strategy.