The Senate has officially approved a ₦140 billion budget for the North-Central Development Commission (NCDC) to fund its operations and developmental projects for the 2026 fiscal year.
The approval followed a comprehensive review and closed-door session held on Monday by the Senate Committee on NCDC, chaired by Senator Titus Zam.
Recognizing the unique socio-economic landscape of the region, the Senate has mandated the Commission to prioritize five core areas to ensure the maximum impact of the allocated funds:
Agriculture: Establishing the sector as the “pride of place” to leverage the region’s vast farming potential.
Security: Partnering with experts and stakeholders to provide logistical and strategic support to security agencies.
Infrastructure: Developing critical networks to facilitate regional trade and movement.
Health & Education: Strengthening social services to improve the long-term well-being of the populace.
“We have considered all items in the estimates and found them highly relevant to the needs of the North-Central region,” stated Senator Zam. “Our focus is ensuring that the people receive actual value for the resources allocated to them through a workable, long-term development plan.”
While approving the 2026 estimates, the Committee expressed concern regarding the low implementation of capital projects in the previous 2025 budget cycle. Senator Zam noted that while this trend has affected various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across the federal government, the NCDC must strive for higher efficiency in the coming year to meet its mandate.
The Senate Committee has urged the NCDC management to maintain strict adherence to its expenditure guidelines, focusing on immediate regional needs while laying the groundwork for sustainable growth across the North-Central zone.
