The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has called for urgent measures to tackle rising insecurity, deepening poverty, and crumbling infrastructure in the North-West.
Addressing lawmakers at the inauguration of the House Committee on the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) at the National Assembly, Abbas underscored the need for immediate and coordinated intervention to halt the region’s decline.
He tasked the NWDC with conducting a thorough assessment of regional needs and designing a long-term strategic plan to drive sustainable development.
He also advocated for innovative funding strategies, including public-private partnerships and development bonds, to ensure financial stability.
Highlighting the economic toll of insecurity, Abbas lamented the near-collapse of once-thriving industries like Kaduna and Kano’s textile sectors, attributing their decline to unchecked violence and inadequate policy responses.
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“Banditry and rural conflicts have devastated agriculture, displaced entire communities, and kept children out of school. These challenges threaten the very fabric of our society,” he warned.
The Speaker commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for championing regional development, citing programs such as the National Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy and the National Livestock Transformation Plan.
He also praised recent policy shifts, including local government autonomy and electricity distribution reforms, as critical steps toward empowering communities.
“The President’s commitment is evident in the establishment of a Ministry for Regional Development and his prompt approval of the Regional Development Bills. Now, it is time for action,” he stated.
Abbas urged the newly formed House Committee to ensure the NWDC remains free from political interference and financial mismanagement, stressing that the commission’s success is crucial for national stability.
“A thriving North-West means a stronger Nigeria. This is a collective responsibility, and every stakeholder—from state governments to traditional leaders and civil society—must rise to the occasion,” he asserted.
However, the Chairman of the House Committee on the NWDC, Gumi, promised a transparent and results-oriented approach to addressing the region’s pressing challenges.
“This is not just another committee inauguration—it is the start of a renewed effort to transform the North-West. Our people have endured hardship for too long; today marks a new beginning,” he declared.
Gumi outlined the Committee’s broad responsibilities, which include overseeing NWDC projects, engaging development partners, and fostering private-sector collaborations to drive reconstruction, resettlement, and economic recovery across the seven states—Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
He emphasised that tackling insecurity must be at the heart of the Commission’s work, noting that meaningful development cannot take root in an environment plagued by violence and instability.
“Our duty is to ensure that the NWDC does not fall into the trap of inefficiency or mismanagement but becomes a model of excellence, transparency, and impact,” he stated.
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Gumi also underscored the importance of appointing credible and competent leadership to steer the Commission’s initiatives effectively.
He pledged rigorous oversight, alignment of budgets with regional priorities, and regular performance reviews to measure progress.
He further stressed the need to learn from other regional development commissions, avoiding their past mistakes while implementing best practices.
Outlining a proposed action plan, Gumi identified key focus areas, including youth empowerment, infrastructure development, security enhancement, and leveraging the North-West’s agricultural and commercial strengths for long-term prosperity.
He called on governments at all levels, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, and the private sector to collaborate in ensuring the NWDC delivers meaningful change.
