The Federal Government has inaugurated the Central Working Group (CWG) on Regional Development in Nigeria, a key step in operationalizing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Federal Minister of Regional Development (FMRD), Abubakar Momoh, while inaugurating the group expressed President Tinubu’s firm commitment to balanced growth and inclusive national development.
Represented by the Minister of State FMRD, Uba Ahmadu, Momoh reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring the smooth functioning and effective coordination of the Regional Development Commissions (RDCs) for the well-being of Nigerians.
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The CWG, established to drive the coordinated and harmonized implementation of the regional development initiative across the federation, is primarily intended to provide technical leadership, strategic alignment and operational oversight for the regional development programme.
According to the minister, the Development Commissions are strategic instruments aimed at addressing long-standing regional development gaps and also responding to changing socio-economic and security concerns across the country.
He urged the CAQ to develop a policy framework that was practical and responsive to the diverse needs of the regions, embodied realism and inspired confidence among stakeholders.
He also advised that the group’s efforts should be guided by a region-by-region approach that reflects local realities, priorities and comparative advantages.
“Its political momentum must be aligned with national development plans and global best practices, ensuring continuity beyond political cycles,” Momoh said.
In her remarks, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development, Dr. Mariam Masha, expressed the Presidency’s commitment and support to the CWC and the FMRD.
According to the presidential aide, the inauguration of the CWG represented a decisive step from strategy to execution, as it charged members to ensure that development was not only nationally based but regionally based and truly shared.
“This inauguration formalizes the CWG, a critical technical mechanism designed to ensure strategic alignment and operational coordination among all stakeholders.
“The Office of the Vice President – Regional Development Programs (OVP-RDP) is fully committed to providing the necessary strategic support to ensure that the Ministry’s regional development goals are achieved.
“We will focus on ensuring efficiency and measurable impact across the four strategic pillars: productive economy, social development, infrastructure and connectivity, and peace and security,” Masha said.
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