The Federal Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have commenced the validation of the proposed National Regional Development Policy (NRDP) 2026–2030 in Ibadan, with stakeholders in the South-West calling for greater regional autonomy, improved security architecture, and increased funding mechanisms.
The demands were made at the South-West Technical Validation Workshop on the policy, organised by the Federal Ministry of Regional Development in collaboration with the UNDP. The workshop, held at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Ibadan, formed part of a nationwide consultation process across the six geopolitical zones aimed at refining the draft policy before its submission to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.
The proposed policy seeks to establish a coordinated framework for addressing regional disparities in infrastructure, economic opportunities, investment distribution, and service delivery. It aligns with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2026–2030 and the development agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Minister's Remarks on Policy Objectives
Declaring the workshop open, the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, said the policy was designed to transform Nigeria’s geopolitical zones into engines of inclusive growth through place-based development strategies. Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Mary Ada Ogbe, the minister noted that persistent inequalities in infrastructure, economic concentration, and access to opportunities had continued to constrain national productivity and social stability.
He explained that the policy provides strategic pillars, financing mechanisms, governance structures, and accountability frameworks to coordinate development efforts among the three tiers of government. “The framework identifies key structural challenges confronting the country, including over-concentration of investment in urban centres, weak production systems, fragmented value chains, poor intergovernmental coordination, infrastructure deficits, insecurity, and climate-related risks such as flooding, erosion, and desertification,” he said.
UNDP Highlights Regional Potential
Speaking on behalf of the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms Elsie Attafuah, Mr Matthew Alao described the engagement as a critical step towards redefining Nigeria’s development trajectory. According to him, the policy would serve as a practical tool for translating national aspirations into measurable economic transformation capable of delivering tangible benefits to citizens. Alao recalled the developmental achievements recorded under Nigeria’s regional governance structure during the First Republic, particularly in the old Western Region, which pioneered free education and established the country’s first television station in Ibadan.
He said regional development offered an opportunity to reposition Nigeria’s regions as centres of innovation, industrialisation, productivity, and inclusive prosperity. “While successive national development plans have recorded progress, the gains remain unevenly distributed across regions,” he added.
Stakeholders Call for Stronger Legal Frameworks
The Chairman of the South-West Development Commission, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, stressed the need for constitutional clarity and stronger legal frameworks to support regional development initiatives. He advocated clear provisions defining collaboration between federal and state governments, particularly in areas of budgetary oversight, security management, and institutional cooperation. According to him, successful implementation of the policy would depend on a framework capable of harmonising development priorities across different levels of government.
Represented by the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, urged stakeholders to focus on practical implementation strategies, resource mobilisation, and effective coordination. He also called for greater utilisation of the South-West’s vibrant private sector to attract local and foreign investments capable of accelerating regional development.
Technical Sessions Yield Key Recommendations
During the technical sessions, participants from government institutions, the private sector, and civil society organisations made several recommendations aimed at strengthening the policy framework. Top among the recommendations was the urgent expansion of regional security networks to address rising incidents of kidnapping, banditry, and attacks on communities across the South-West. “No infrastructure or economic development plan can succeed without the safety of lives and property. Security must come before investment and infrastructure development,” one participant from Ogun State said.
