Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Charter Signing
- Council Operation
- NNDC Role
- Summit Themes
- Investment Pledges
- Recommendations
- Historical Context
The Northern Elders Forum and the Northern Governors Forum have formed a new entity called the Northern Nigeria Development Council (NNDC) to oversee and promote the region's economic transformation agenda.
This decision came after the signing of the Northern Nigeria Economic Development Charter, which concluded the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit held in Abuja on Monday.
NEF Convener, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, who signed the communiqué post-summit, indicated that the proposed council will function under the joint oversight of both forums and will act as the institutional framework for executing the region's long-term development master plan.
The communiqué stated, “The charter signed by the Northern Governors commits them to establish the NNDC as the dedicated coordinating agency for the region’s economic agenda.”
It further disclosed that the NNDC will “act as the institutional and programme management body to facilitate the Regional Integration Agenda of Northern Nigeria.”
The council will unify strategies in sectors such as mining, agriculture, power, industrialization, technology, and other related areas.
The summit, themed “Unlocking Strategic Opportunities in Mining, Agriculture, and Power,” gathered governors, investors, and development partners to discuss ways to accelerate growth in the region.
The forum announced that over $10 billion in investments were committed across key sectors for implementation over the next five years.
It also highlighted the importance of regional economic integration, enhanced infrastructure, and clear investment policies to attract private capital.
Participants recommended reforms to simplify business operations, standardize public-private partnership frameworks, and institutionalize land administration reforms.
Additionally, they suggested the establishment of a Security-Investment Coordination Task Force to protect critical projects.
The communiqué traced the vision for the new council back to the North’s historical industrial base, recalling the 1960s and 1970s when agriculture and agro-processing were the foundation of the region’s economy.
It noted that this new initiative seeks to revive that legacy through a modernized, coordinated framework aimed at sustainable growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Northern Nigeria Development Council (NNDC)?
The NNDC is established to coordinate and drive the economic transformation agenda of Northern Nigeria, serving as the institutional framework for implementing the region's long-term development master plan.
What sectors will the NNDC focus on?
The NNDC will consolidate strategies in mining, agriculture, power, industrialization, technology, and other related sectors.
What was the outcome of the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit?
The summit resulted in the signing of the Northern Nigeria Economic Development Charter and the commitment of over $10 billion in investments across key sectors for the next five years.
