FG inaugurates core working group to drive regional development

The Federal Government has inaugurated the Core Working Group (CWG) on Regional Development in Nigeria, a key step in operationalising President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Minister Federal Ministry 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 operation and effective coordination of the Regional Development Commissions (RDCs) for the wellbeing of Nigerians.

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The CWG, established to drive coordinated and harmonized implementation of the regional development initiative across the federation, is primarily saddled to provide technical leadership, strategic alignment, and operational oversight for the regional development programme.

According to the minister, Development Commissions are strategic instruments aimed to address long-standing regional development gaps and also to respond to evolving socio-economic and security concerns across the country.

He urged the CWC to develop a policy framework that would be practical and responsive to the diverse needs of the regions, embody realism and will inspire confidence among stakeholders.

He also advised that the group’s efforts must be guided a region-by-region approach’ that reflect local realities, priorities, and comparative advantages.

“Your policy thrust must align with national development plans and global best practices, ensuring continuity beyond political cycles,’’ Momoh said.

In her remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development, Dr Mariam Masha, expressed the commitment and support of the Presidency 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 she charged members to ensure that development was not only national but regionally grounded and truly shared.

“This inauguration formalises the CWG, a critical technical mechanism designed to ensure strategic alignment and operational coordination across all stakeholders.

“The Office of the Vice President – Regional Development Programmes (OVP-RDP) is fully committed to providing the strategic support required to ensure the Ministry’s regional development goals are achieved.

“Our focus will be 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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