The North-west Development Commission, NWDC, today hosted a high-level delegation from the Bank of Industry, BOI, to explore a strategic partnership aimed at driving inclusive industrial growth, expanding access to finance, and creating jobs across the seven states of Northwest Nigeria.
The engagement focused on developing a coordinated regional enterprise development framework to address critical constraints in the region, including limited access to affordable finance, low industrial activity, youth and women unemployment, and socioeconomic challenges arising from insecurity.
Welcoming the BOI delegation, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of NWDC, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to partnerships that deliver measurable impact to communities in Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.
“The Northwest is Nigeria’s major agricultural and commercial corridor, linking Lagos to Kano and onward to Jibia and key North African markets. However, we cannot unlock this potential without structured financing for our MSMEs and industries. NWDC is committed to working with BOI to move from fragmented interventions to a scalable, regional development finance platform that serves our people,” the MD said.
Leading the BOI delegation, the Executive Director in charge of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr. Oluwatoyin A. Edu, said BOI’s corporate strategy prioritizes sustainable and inclusive industrial development through strategic partnerships with subnational governments and development agencies.
“We are delighted to be here to present a proposal for partnership with NWDC. BOI is already collaborating with states across the region. Discussions with Zamfara State Government have reached an advanced stage for the signing of an MoU next month on a ₦7.5 billion management fund and a ₦3 billion matching fund. Our objective is to replicate this model across the Northwest through NWDC,” Mr. Edu stated.
The BOI team presented a 6-point framework for enterprise-led development, with MSME financing for underserved businesses as the first priority. Other proposed areas include support for agro-processing, industrial clusters, women and youth-owned enterprises, and value chain development.
Both institutions agreed to constitute a Joint Technical Working Group to finalize the partnership framework and implementation modalities within the next 30 days.
NWDC reiterated that enterprise development, job creation, and human capital investment remain central pillars of its mandate to accelerate infrastructure and socio-economic transformation in Northwest Nigeria.
About NWDC
The Northwest Development Commission was established to drive infrastructure development and human capital investment in Northwest Nigeria.
Signed:
Abdulrashid Yusuf Safana
Director Press and Public Relations.
27/8/2026
