The federal government has unveiled a National Regional Development Policy aimed at providing a strategic framework for the operations of regional development commissions and strengthening development planning across the country.
Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, announced this on Thursday after briefing the National Economic Council (NEC) on the policy alongside the Minister of State for Regional Development and the ministry’s Permanent Secretary.
Momoh told State House correspondents that the policy was developed to address the absence of a formal framework guiding the activities of the regional development commissions, despite the inauguration of the first batch of commissions in February 2025 and a second set in August of the same year.
According to him, the gap became apparent during engagements with international development agencies and partners, many of whom sought clarity on the ministry’s strategic direction and operational mandate.
He explained that the ministry commenced work on the policy after its mandate became clearer, with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The minister disclosed that a committee led by the Permanent Secretary coordinated the drafting process, while consultations and validation exercises were held across the six geopolitical zones in Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Nasarawa and Maiduguri.
He said representatives of state governments, the private sector, civil society organisations and other stakeholders participated in the consultations to ensure broad ownership of the document.
“We wanted a policy that reflects the aspirations and realities of stakeholders across the country. Governors were duly informed of the consultations and many sent representatives, while participants from different sectors made valuable contributions that have been reflected in the final draft,” Momoh said.
He described the presentation to NEC as a major milestone in the approval process, adding that the policy would now be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for consideration and final approval.
Momoh said governors at the NEC meeting largely welcomed the initiative, although some concerns were raised regarding the constitutional basis of the regional development commissions.
Responding to the concerns, he maintained that the commissions were legally established through Acts of the National Assembly and subsequently constituted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The legislative process leading to the establishment of the commissions reflected extensive scrutiny and national consensus on their relevance to the country’s development objectives,” he said.
The minister also disclosed that Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the National Economic Council, commended the ministry for developing the policy and encouraged continued engagement with governors and other stakeholders.
Momoh expressed confidence that the framework would improve coordination, enhance development outcomes and provide clearer direction for the operations of regional development commissions across the six geopolitical zones.
