FG unveils national policy for regional development

—Document will guide operations of regional commissions, strengthen development planning across six geopolitical zones — Momoh

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA—THE Federal Government on Thursday unveiled a National Regional Development Policy aimed at providing a strategic framework for the operations of Nigeria’s regional development commissions, ending months of policy uncertainty following their establishment.

Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the presidential villa, . Abuja. 

Engr. Momoh, flanked by the Minister of state and permanent secretary of the ministry said he had earlier briefed the National Economic Council (NEC) presided by the Vice President, Senator Kashhim Shettima on the policy document. 

The Minister said the policy became necessary after the inauguration of the first batch of regional development commissions in February 2025 and a second batch in August 2025, noting that the ministry had operated without a formal policy framework despite growing engagement with stakeholders and development partners.

According to him, the absence of a guiding policy had become increasingly apparent as international agencies and development partners repeatedly sought clarity on the ministry’s strategic direction.

“We came to brief the National Economic Council on the National Regional Development Policy. Since the inauguration of the first set of regional development commissions in February 2025 and the second set in August 2025, the ministry has not had a policy document to guide its operations.

“Several international and development partners requested the ministry’s policy framework, but we were unable to provide one because it did not exist. It was not that we did not appreciate the need for such a policy, but we needed to properly define the direction of the ministry. Once that became clearer, we commenced the process of developing the document,” he said.

Engr. Momoh  explained that the policy was developed with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), while a committee headed by the Permanent Secretary coordinated the drafting process.

To ensure broad stakeholder participation and ownership, the ministry embarked on consultations and validation exercises across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

The consultations, led by the Permanent Secretary, took place in Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Nasarawa and Maiduguri, bringing together representatives of state governments, private sector operators, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

“The objective was to ensure that those directly affected by the policy participated in shaping it. We informed governors before the consultations, and many of them sent representatives.

Stakeholders from various sectors also made valuable contributions, many of which have been incorporated into the final document,” Momoh stated.

He said the NEC presentation marked a critical stage in the policy approval process, adding that the document would subsequently be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for final approval.

According to the minister, governors at the NEC meeting generally welcomed the initiative, although some raised constitutional concerns regarding the regional development commissions.

“A number of governors supported the policy and commended the initiative. Some also raised constitutional issues. However, these commissions were established through Acts of the National Assembly and duly constituted by the President.

“They are institutions backed by law. For any bill to pass through the National Assembly and receive presidential assent, it means it has undergone extensive legislative scrutiny and enjoys broad national support,” he said.

Momoh further disclosed that Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the National Economic Council, commended the ministry’s efforts and encouraged further engagement with stakeholders to deepen understanding of the policy framework.

He added that the ministry would continue consultations with governors and other stakeholders ahead of the policy’s submission to the Federal Executive Council.

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