Senate Questions NWDC Over N943 Million Board Allowances

The Nigerian Senate has raised concerns regarding the North West Development Commission (NWDC) over its expenditure of N943 million on board allowances. During an investigative session, lawmakers questioned why the NWDC has not appointed an executive director, despite being one of the first commissions established by the National Assembly.

Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, the Minister of State for Regional Development, intervened in the prolonged dispute regarding the commission's operational headquarters in Kano, which has caused friction with the board management. The absence of an executive director has reportedly weakened the commission's management and affected its operations.

The Senate committee expressed concerns about the commission's total expenditure of N1.19 billion, with nearly 79 percent allocated to board allowances, describing this spending as inconsistent with the commission's mandate to address insecurity and infrastructure deficits in the North West. Prof. Abdullahi Shehu Ma Aji, the chairman of the governing board, stated that the board operates within the provisions of the North West Development Commission Act of 2024.