Abbas asks North West Development Commission to develop 10-year strategic plan

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, says the North West Development Commission (NWDC) should develop a 10-year strategic plan to revive the geopolitical zone.

Abbas spoke on Wednesday while inaugurating the house committee on NWDC.

The north-west states include Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

The speaker said the north-west which used to be a beehive of economic activities, has been degraded by insecurity.

“As a son of the north-west and a legislator who was privileged to champion the house version of the bill that led to the establishment of this commission, this occasion holds deep personal significance and profound meaning for me,” Abbas said.

“It is a moment that reaffirms our obligation to promote the growth and development of our region and improve the well-being of its people.

“The north-west region holds a pivotal place in Nigeria’s economic and social landscape. Historically, it has been the cradle of agricultural excellence, producing staple crops such as millet, sorghum, and groundnuts in unmatched quantities.

“Data from the NBS reveals that the region contributes approximately 22 percent of Nigeria’s agricultural GDP, underscoring its strategic importance.

“Home to over 47 million Nigerians, the north-west is not just a demographic powerhouse but also a reservoir of cultural and economic potential. Yet, this promise remains constrained by daunting challenges.

“The NBS’s 2023 report indicates that the north-west accounts for 40 percent of Nigeria’s out-of-school children and records one of the highest maternal mortality rates, with 1,025 deaths per 100,000 live births, far above the national average of 814.

“Furthermore, infrastructure remains a critical gap, with less than 35 percent of rural communities having access to all-season roads.

“Over the past two decades, the region has been plagued by insecurity, environmental degradation, and systemic neglect.

“The once-flourishing textile industry in Kaduna and Kano, which employed over 500,000 workers in the 1980s, now engages fewer than 20,000 due to policy inertia and rising insecurity.

“These setbacks have stifled economic growth and diminished livelihoods.

“However, we must view these challenges not as insurmountable obstacles but as calls to action—calls that the North West Development Commission is uniquely positioned to answer. The NWDC is tasked with a mission of monumental importance.

“To succeed, a comprehensive needs assessment must be conducted across the zone, identifying priority areas for intervention.

“This exercise should inform the development of a robust 10-year strategic plan, a blueprint that will outline measurable goals and actionable strategies.

“Such a plan will not only serve as a roadmap but also as a vital tool for attracting partners, mobilising resources, and ensuring accountability.”

Abbas asked the NWDC to embrace a multi-stakeholder approach, engaging state governments, traditional institutions, civil society, and the private sector to succeed.

Also speaking, Sulaiman Abubakar, chairman of the committee, said the establishment of the NWDC is a “monumental step” toward addressing the underlying causes of insecurity and socio-economic challenges in the north-west.

Abubakar said the committee will scrutinise the commission’s activities to ensure it performs up to expectations.