Nigeria, UNDP Launch Zonal Validation Workshop for Development

Nigeria, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is set to commence a zonal validation workshop on regional development on May 11, 2026. This workshop will take place across the country’s six geopolitical zones, including Enugu, Port Harcourt, Lafia, Ibadan, Kano, and Maiduguri, concluding with a national consolidation meeting in Abuja on June 24, 2026.

The initiative, as stated by Minister Sani Datti, is part of a nationwide consultative process aimed at bringing together a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives from federal and state governments, local government authorities, civil society organizations, the private sector, academia, and traditional institutions. The National Regional Development Plan (NRDP) aims to provide a comprehensive framework to address regional disparities, unlock economic potential, and promote inclusive and balanced national development.

Engr. Abubakar Momoh described the NRDP as a strategic framework guiding coordinated development efforts across the country, while Ms.

Elsi G. Attafuah emphasized the importance of a people-inclusive development approach.