Two years after, NWDC yet to deliver projects as N943m spending sparks fresh controversy

Nearly two years after its establishment, the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) is yet to commence visible developmental projects across the seven states of the region, as fresh controversies continue to trail its operations.

The latest dispute emerged after the Senate Committee on Regional Development queried the commission over the expenditure of N943 million, representing nearly 80 per cent of its total spending on board allowances, despite the absence of executive directors and tangible projects across the North-West.

Lawmakers expressed concern that the commission remains the only regional development agency in Nigeria operating without executive directors, a situation they said has significantly slowed its operations and hindered the implementation of its statutory mandate.

The committee also noted that although the commission was inaugurated in February 2025, residents across the North-West are yet to witness any meaningful intervention in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture or economic development.

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The latest controversy adds to a series of challenges that have confronted the commission since its establishment.

In May 2025, the NWDC came under public scrutiny after announcing applications for foreign scholarships to universities in India, Malaysia, Canada, China and Indonesia. The programme was later cancelled in line with the Federal Government’s policy prioritising local education.

Residents across the North-West have continued to express frustration over what they describe as the commission’s inability to deliver on its mandate despite substantial public expectations.

The commission had previously attributed the slow take-off of its programmes to delays in the release of take-off funds by the Federal Government.

It also experienced months of uncertainty over its operational headquarters after disagreements between the governing board and management delayed administrative activities.

The impasse was eventually resolved following the intervention of the Kano State Government, which provided the commission with a fully furnished temporary headquarters, operational vehicles and land to facilitate its operations.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf also allocated two hectares of land valued at about N3 billion for the construction of the commission’s permanent headquarters in Kano.

Established in July 2024, the NWDC was created as the Federal Government’s intervention agency for Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

Its mandate includes rebuilding infrastructure, addressing poverty, rehabilitating communities displaced by insecurity, promoting agriculture, improving healthcare, expanding education, restoring degraded environments and accelerating socio-economic development across the region.

The commission was designed to operate along the lines of other regional intervention agencies, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), with a focus on the unique developmental challenges confronting the North-West.

The region, home to an estimated 80 million people, has continued to grapple with widespread insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping and violent attacks that have displaced thousands of residents, disrupted farming and commercial activities, and deepened poverty across rural communities.

Despite the expectations surrounding the commission, many residents say they are yet to benefit from any intervention since its creation.

Farmers displaced by banditry, traders affected by insecurity and communities struggling with poor road networks have continued to call for the speedy implementation of projects aimed at restoring livelihoods and stimulating economic growth.

During its recent oversight engagement with the commission, members of the Senate Committee on Regional Development questioned why N943 million out of approximately N1.19 billion expended by the commission was spent on board allowances.

The lawmakers also queried duty tour allowances reportedly paid to the Managing Director for official engagements within Kano, where the commission’s headquarters is located, describing the expenditure as difficult to justify.

They further expressed concern over delays in recruiting executive directors and implementing capital projects despite approvals reportedly granted earlier this year.

Responding to the concerns, the Managing Director of the commission, Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji, defended the expenditure, insisting that the board’s activities were conducted in accordance with the provisions of the North-West Development Commission Act, 2024.

He disclosed that the board had held seven meetings, five regular and two emergency sessions during which 63 resolutions were adopted to establish the commission’s institutional and policy frameworks.

However, the lawmakers maintained that administrative meetings alone could not substitute for tangible developmental projects expected by the people of the North-West.

The commission has also faced internal disagreements.

The foreign scholarship controversy exposed tensions between the governing board and management after the board disowned the programme, insisting it had neither approved nor discussed it at any meeting.

Although the Managing Director maintained that the initiative followed due administrative procedure, the disagreement resulted in petitions to the Senate and the Federal Ministry of Regional Development before the programme was eventually suspended.

There have also been speculations of a power struggle involving key political figures in the region over appointments into the commission, although no official confirmation has been made.

Professor Ma’aji has denied allegations of financial misconduct, insisting that board members received only statutory allowances and rejecting claims that duty tour allowances were improperly claimed.

He explained that the commission initially operated from Abuja because it had no functional office in Kano until the recent intervention by the Kano State Government.

The Managing Director added that, in line with the ongoing investigation by the National Assembly, the commission would refrain from making further public comments on issues relating to executive appointments and project implementation until the legislative inquiry is concluded.

(Daily Trust)