NWDC Receives ₦15bn, Unveils Major Projects for 30,000 Farmers and 10,000 Youths
The North West Development Commission (NWDC) has received ₦15.17 billion in federal allocations between January and May 2026 and is preparing major development interventions across agriculture, healthcare, education, youth empowerment and security in the seven North West states.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji, disclosed this while presenting the NWDC’s mid year performance report to the Senate Committee on the North West Development Commission.
Prof. Ma’aji said the period marked the Commission’s transition from institutional establishment to full operational readiness, with progress recorded in governance structures, procurement planning, strategic partnerships and project development.
According to the report, the Commission—established under the NWDC Act, 2024—received no statutory allocation until January 2026. Between January and May, it received ₦15.17 billion, spent ₦1.2 billion, and maintained an account balance of ₦13.97 billion as of July 5, 2026.
He added that the Commission is intensifying efforts to improve funding from statutory sources, including the Federation Account, Ecological Fund and VAT, to enable it to execute its regional development mandate.
Prof. Ma’aji reported that the Commission has established a temporary headquarters in Kano following the donation of office facilities by the state government. Kaduna and Katsina also donated buildings for state offices.
Kano State further donated two vehicles and two hectares of land at Hotoro for the Commission’s permanent headquarters, while Sokoto pledged additional operational vehicles. The Commission also received 20 desktop computers and five printers from Hon. Abdulaziz Zubairu, member representing Bungudu/Maru Federal Constituency.
Arrangements are underway to establish a liaison office in Abuja to strengthen coordination with the Federal Ministry of Regional Development, the National Assembly and other federal institutions.
The NWDC chief executive said procurement planning has commenced in line with due process, while consultations with the seven North West states have produced priority interventions in key sectors.
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Planned projects include upgrading primary healthcare centres, rehabilitating secondary schools, providing clean water through motorised and solar powered boreholes, resettling Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), youth vocational and digital skills development, security support interventions and agricultural programmes.
A flagship initiative will distribute free fertiliser to 30,000 farming households during the 2026 wet season to boost food production and rural livelihoods.
The Commission also unveiled a Youth Skills Acquisition Programme targeting 10,000 beneficiaries, who will receive technical, vocational and digital training through centres in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto. A digital registration portal has been developed for enrolment and verification.
To support security operations, the NWDC plans to supply operational vehicles and equipment to security agencies across the region.
Prof. Ma’aji said the Commission has initiated engagements with the embassies of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, India and Russia, all of which expressed readiness to collaborate on humanitarian assistance, education, human capital development and economic empowerment.
Discussions are also ongoing with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), ADASHE Women Multipurpose Cooperative, eHealth Africa, UNDP and UNESCO on interventions ranging from housing for displaced persons to digital skills, healthcare and regional development planning.
The Commission also convened a major stakeholders’ summit in Kaduna to gather expert input for its long term regional master plan.
Despite progress, Prof. Ma’aji told senators that delayed and inadequate releases remain the Commission’s biggest challenge. Although ₦145.61 billion was budgeted for 2026, actual monthly releases represent only about three per cent of expected allocations, slowing project implementation.
He also cited differing interpretations of the NWDC Act between the Governing Board and Management, as well as delays in convening board meetings, which have affected timely execution of programmes.
Prof. Ma’aji appealed to the Senate Committee for enhanced and timely budgetary releases commensurate with the Commission’s statutory responsibilities and the development needs of the North West.
He assured lawmakers that the Commission remains committed to transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources as it moves into full scale implementation in the second half of 2026.
By PRNigeria
