With the senate’s confirmation, the three commissions are expected to commence full operations in line with their respective establishment acts.
The senate has confirmed the appointments of key officials to steer the affairs of three newly established regional development commissions – the South West Development Commission (SWDC), the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), and the North Central Development Commission (NCDC).
The confirmations were made during Thursday’s plenary following the consideration and adoption of reports presented by the relevant committees overseeing each commission.
The appointments mark a major milestone in the operationalisation of the three commissions, which were established through separate Acts of Parliament to address region-specific development challenges and fast-track socioeconomic revitalisation across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
South-South Development Commission (SSDC)
The senate confirmed the nomination of Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, a former Deputy Speaker of the house of representatives, as Chairman of the SSDC. Also confirmed was Usoro Offiong Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) as the Managing Director of the commission.
Presenting the committee’s report, Sen. Konbowei Benson Friday (Bayelsa Central), Chairman of the Senate Committee on SSDC, said the nominees met the requirements for appointment. However, he noted that Tijani Yahaya Kaura, the nominee representing the North-West, failed to submit required documentation and declined to appear before the committee.
He was therefore not cleared, but the committee left the window open should he choose to comply with the screening process at a later date.
Confirmed Board Members of SSDC:
- Rt. Hon. Larry Odey – Member (Cross River)
- Charles Zuofa – Member (Bayelsa)
- Dr. Nkereuwem Ebong – Member (Akwa Ibom)
- Engr. Chika Chinedu – Member (Rivers)
- Barr. Femi Oise – Member (Edo)
- Dr. Charles Sylvester Enukhowhate – Member (Delta)
- Tabitha Iliya Sallah – Member (North-East)
- Alh. Yusuf Rasaq Amao – Member (North-Central)
- Joseph Mmamal – Member (South-East)
- Hon. Bukonola Braimoh – Member (South-West)
Executive Directors of SSDC:
- Hon. Marcus Nie Eji – Projects (Rivers)
- Engr. Aganaba Preye Steven – Social & Human Capital Development (Bayelsa)
- Dr. Timi Alari Ayibatonye – Corporate Services (Delta)
- Hon. Joseph Ugheoke – Commercial & Environmental Development (Edo)
- Amb. Sony Abang – Finance (Cross River)
South West Development Commission (SWDC)
The senate also confirmed the appointments to the board and executive leadership of the SWDC, following the submission of a report by Sen. Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central), Chairman of the Senate Committee on SWDC.
Sen. Olubunmi Adetunmbi, a former lawmaker, was confirmed as Chairman, while Dr. Charles Akindiji Akinola was confirmed as Managing Director.
Confirmed Executive Directors of SWDC:
- Mr. Olusegun Joshua Olufehinti – Projects
- Mr. Tele Ogunjobi – Finance
- Rt. Hon. Barr. Funmilayo Tejuosho – Corporate Services
- Mr. Fatai Ibikunle – Commercial & Environmental Development
- Alhaji Lateef Oladimeji Ajijola – Social & Human Capital Development
Confirmed Board Members of SWDC:
- Hon. Bolaji Idris Ariyo – Lagos
- Joseph Akin Olugbenga Olorunshola – Ekiti
- Hon. Scholastic Olanike Omoworare – Osun
- Olamuyiwa Timothy Olabitan – Ogun
- Hon. Ibrahim Adenyi Olaifa – Oyo
- Hon. Kabiru Ado Lakwaya – North-West
- Rear Admiral Abdul Biu Adamu (rtd.) – North-East
- Fagbemi Akinola Benjamin – North-Central
- Hon. Ukoha Onyekwere – South-East
- Allwell Iheanacho – South-South
North Central Development Commission (NCDC)
Similarly, the senate confirmed the nominees for the board and management of the NCDC based on the recommendations of Sen. Titus Zam (Benue North-West), Chairman of the Senate Committee on NCDC.
Cosmas T. Akighir was confirmed as Chairman, and Tsenyil Cyril Yiltsen as Managing Director.
Confirmed Executive Directors of NCDC:
- James Abel Uloko – Executive Director (Benue)
- Princess Atika Ajanah – Executive Director (Kogi)
- Hajia Bilqis Jimoke Sanni – Executive Director (Kwara)
- Hajia Aishatu Rujui Ibrahim – Executive Director (Nasarawa)
- Muhammad Bashar – Executive Director (Niger)
Confirmed Board Members of NCDC:
- Dauda Shuaibu Kigbu – Nasarawa
- Zakari Haliru Jikantoro – Niger
- Alhaji Suleiman Baba Ali – Kogi
- Rev. Bunmi Olusona – Kwara
- Dr. Umar Ibrahim Mantu – Plateau
- Atotse Abraham – Benue
- Solomon Adodo – FCT
- Abdulkadir S. Usman – North-West
- Habu Mamman – North-East
- Dr. Atinuke Owolabi – South-West
- Racheal Kufre Nse – South-South
- Chief Boniface Izziogu – South-East
With the senate’s confirmation, the three commissions are expected to commence full operations in line with their respective establishing Acts. Each commission will focus on designing and implementing region-specific development programmes, coordinating federal and state initiatives, and addressing the unique socio-economic and environmental challenges of their regions.
