Nigeria: Tinubu orders timely disbursement of funds to regional commissions

The directive was announced at the opening of the first stakeholders’ summit of the North Central Development Commission, where the head of state was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. According to Nairametrics, the statutory transfers allocated in the 2026 federal budget for regional commissions amount to approximately 1,300 billion naira.

Tinubu urged the commissions to focus on roads, rail, air transport, industrialization, security, investment, education, health, and human capital development. He also warned that public funds should not finance projects that do not have a tangible impact on the population.

The president tasked George Akume with ensuring that allocations are disbursed when due. He simultaneously called on the commissions to seek additional funding through public-private partnerships, donors, and development institutions, where regulations allow.

The federal framework includes several regional commissions established to reduce development disparities between areas of Nigeria. For the North Central region, the NCDC covers Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory.

The NCDC is preparing a twenty-year development plan for the region, with sections dedicated to transport, agriculture, minerals, industry, employment, health, education, water, electricity, and telecommunications. The Abuja summit is taking place on September 14 and 15.