The Managing Director of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, has said that the Commission will align its proposed strategic road map with the National Regional Development Policy (NRDP) currently undergoing validation.
Dr Tsenyil said the policy will strengthen the Commission’s capacity to drive strategic development priorities capable of transforming the North Central region and aligning it with national development goals of the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He emphasised that the North Central Development Commission stands to achieve more through collaboration and synergy with other Regional Development Commissions, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, security, investment, human capital development, empowerment, and productivity across the regions.
Dr. Tsenyil, who spoke during the Regional Technical Validation Workshop on the National Regional Development Policy (NRDP) 2026–2030 held in Lafia, Nasarawa State, noted that the policy represents a bold and strategic framework aimed at promoting balanced territorial development, strengthening regional competitiveness, enhancing intergovernmental coordination, and ensuring that no region is left behind in the pursuit of national prosperity.
He further said that the NCDC has continued to develop frameworks for its interventions, adding that the implementation of the National Regional Development Policy will further enhance the Commission’s mandate and operations.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe, represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Albert Asotibe, said that the North Central workshop is the third in the series of regional validation engagements, following similar exercises in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones.
Ogbe explained that the National Regional Development Policy is designed to provide a coordinated roadmap for regional development in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Permanent Secretary further revealed that once fully developed, adopted, and approved by the Federal Executive Council, the policy would serve as a comprehensive guide for the operations of Regional Development Commissions to ensure synergy and national integration.
Speaking in turn, the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, represented by Policy Specialist Dr. Sola, described the policy initiative as inclusive and people-oriented, adding that it provides citizens with opportunities to actively participate in shaping the development of their regions through inputs, suggestions, and constructive engagement.
The UNDP Resident Representative emphasized that the success of the policy would depend largely on public ownership, with the Development Commissions serving as key drivers of implementation.
Participants at the workshop were urged to contribute meaningfully toward enriching the draft policy to ensure it becomes a solid platform for rapid and sustainable development.
Other stakeholders commended the Ministry of Regional Development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the North Central Development Commission for convening the workshop and fostering broad stakeholder participation.
The workshop later proceeded into technical sessions where the Lead Consultant presented an overview of the draft NRDP document.
In their various contributions, participants raised issues bordering on project conception and needs assessment, funding mechanisms and public-private partnerships, institutional discipline and leadership, monitoring and evaluation, grassroots participation, and equitable distribution of projects across the regions.
