Northern Governors Urge NNDC to Drive Economic Revival

At a recent retreat in Abuja, Muhammadu Yahaya, the chairman of the Northern State Governor Forum and governor of Gombe State, stressed the urgent need for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) to transform and drive economic revival in Northern Nigeria. He highlighted that the region faces significant challenges, including rising unemployment, economic strain, insecurity, and weakened investor confidence.

Yahaya, representing the forum's director general Ezekiel Gomo, emphasized that the NNDC must operate as a catalyst for economic recovery rather than a passive legacy institution. He called for innovative, growth-oriented strategies and the embrace of digital economy opportunities, particularly in ICT and fintech, to harness the entrepreneurial potential of the region's youth.

The governors urged the NNDC to reassess its strategies, including potential restructuring and partnerships, to become a profit-driven institution capable of generating employment and restoring hope in the region. Lami Dikko, the NNDC chairman, reaffirmed plans to reinvent the commission.