On July 14, 2026, the senate committee on the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has charged the newly established commission to prioritize agriculture, mining, security, and rural infrastructure to drive rapid economic recovery and elevate living standards across the region.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja following a productive closed-door meeting with NCDC management, Committee Chairman Senator Titus Zam (Benue North-West) outlined key strategic agreements, operational timelines, and immediate oversight plans aimed at ensuring the commission fulfills its statutory mandate.
Highlighting the North Central region’s vast economic potential, Senator Zam emphasized that targeted interventions in agriculture and mineral resources are vital to unlocking sustainable growth.
“The North Central zone enjoys fertile land, favorable rainfall, and vegetation suitable for large-scale farming,” stated Senator Zam. “We have advised the commission to concentrate heavily on agriculture, mining, security, and rural infrastructure to deliver maximum impact for our people.”
Key priorities and takeaways from the meeting include:
Agricultural & Mining Focus: Capitalizing on the region’s vast arable land and mineral wealth to bolster food security and local economies.
Security & Infrastructure Collaboration: Partnering with state governments and security agencies to tackle ongoing security challenges while expanding rural access roads and infrastructure.
Prudent Financial Management: Maximizing available resources to ensure clear, measurable project deliverables despite initial budget constraints.
Transparency & Public Blueprint: Recommending that the NCDC publicly unveil its master development blueprint so citizens can track progress and hold the institution accountable.
Addressing the commission’s current financial position, Senator Zam revealed that the NCDC receives ₦2.9 billion monthly from the Federal Government against an approved budget of ₦140 billion. While acknowledging that current receipts fall short of the commission’s extensive statutory mandate, he expressed optimism that funding will scale up as operations fully stabilize.
We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the initial take-off funding package, and we expect additional funds as operations expand. However, available funds must be prudently utilized to guarantee clear, measurable deliverables. We do not want to disappoint the President or the people of the North Central zone.
Senator Titus Zam.
To guarantee accountability and assess ongoing work, the Senate Committee announced it will immediately launch oversight tours, beginning with the NCDC headquarters in Abuja before visiting project sites across all North Central states.
