The Honourable Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, has tasked the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) with delivering measurable results, accountability, inclusiveness, and coordinated and sustainable development in the North Central region.
The Minister stated this at the opening ceremony of the First North Central Stakeholders’ Development Summit, organised by the NCDC today, Monday, 14 September 2026, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja.
Addressing the gathering, the Honourable Minister emphasised the importance of strategic planning, effective coordination and stakeholder engagement in addressing development gaps and unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s regions. He said the Ministry of Regional Development stands ready to work with the North Central Development Commission, the Governments of the North Central States, the Federal Capital Territory, development partners, the private sector and communities to translate this ambitious vision into measurable and enduring development.
“The theme of this programme, ‘The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region,’ is both ambitious and timely. It challenges us to look beyond today’s immediate pressures and collectively define the North Central we want to see over the next two decades. More importantly, the theme recognises a fundamental principle of development: transformational development requires long-term planning,” he stated.
Speaking further, the Minister emphasised that a 20-year development plan will, without a doubt, enable the North Central region to establish a common vision that transcends individual states, projects and administrations.
Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of State, Ministry of Regional Development, H.E. Uba Maigari Ahmadu, in his keynote address, commended the efforts of the North Central Development Commission in coordinated planning, strategic investments and sustainable interventions aimed at promoting inclusive growth and improving the quality of life of citizens across the North Central region.
While stressing the dire need for concerted efforts to achieve sustainable transformation and socio-economic development in the North Central region, Hon. Maigari assured the Commission of the Ministry’s continued support in promoting inclusive and sustainable development across the region.
Welcoming the participants, the Managing Director of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), Dr Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, appreciated Mr President for the creation of the Commissions and stressed that the summit was not just another event but a trailblazer in realising its mandate.
“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.
“Let us build a North Central where investment creates opportunities, opportunity creates jobs and jobs create dignity, and dignity creates peace; a region whose success strengthens Nigeria,” he stated.
The summit, which has as its theme, “The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region,” brought together key stakeholders from across the region to deliberate on a comprehensive development framework capable of driving long-term transformation and improving the quality of life of the people.
Sani Datti
Head, Information and Public Relations
