NNDC pledges renewed commitment to transparency, value creation

The New Nigeria Development Company Limited (NNDC), belonging to the 19 Northern state governments, has pledged renewed commitment to transparency and value creation.

This was contained in a statement issued by Mohammed Abdullahi, Head of the Corporate Relations Department of NNDC, and made available to journalists in Kaduna after the company received the Merit Award in the Corporate Category presented by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) at the ICAN Merit Awards held at the Monarch Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos.

The statement noted that the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Malam Abdulkareem M. Sani, FCA, who represented the Group Managing Director/CEO, Mallam Shehu Mai-Bornu, received the award on behalf of the company alongside the Group Internal Auditor/Chief Compliance Officer, Dr Bala Abubakar.

The Managing Director said, “We are honoured that ICAN has recognised NNDC for our contribution to the accounting profession and to the wider community. We do not take this lightly, coming from an institution synonymous with professionalism, accountability, integrity, discipline and excellence in financial stewardship.”

Mallam Mai-Bornu described the recognition as validation of NNDC’s ongoing reform agenda and commitment to sound corporate governance, financial discipline and transparency.

“At this stage in our corporate history, NNDC is undergoing a deliberate process of strategic repositioning and transformation. We are strengthening governance systems, reviewing our investment portfolio, improving operational discipline, and repositioning the company to play a more catalytic role in the development of our owner states. We are also placing renewed emphasis on accountability, professionalism, human capital development and partnerships that deliver measurable impact,” he stated.

He added that, for NNDC, the award is more than a plaque. “It is a reaffirmation of the values that have defined our journey for decades: service, development, accountability and commitment to the socio-economic transformation of Northern Nigeria and Nigeria at large.”

Since its establishment, NNDC has remained committed to promoting commercial and industrial development, supporting investment, nurturing enterprise and building platforms that create value for shareholders and society.

“The company recognises that institutions are sustained not only by capital and assets, but by people, knowledge, governance and professional discipline.

“NNDC and ICAN share a longstanding relationship anchored on integrity, competence, accountability and capacity development. ICAN has produced accountants and financial leaders who have served with distinction across the public and private sectors. Many organisations, including NNDC, have benefited from the professional standards and ethical orientation ICAN promotes.

“A key area of this partnership is the Special Students Project (SSP). NNDC is proud to support this initiative, which aligns with its philosophy that the future of the region and the country depends on deliberate investment in people, skills and institutions. Through the SSP, ICAN has gone beyond certification to make direct contributions to society by supporting students who represent the next generation of professionals.

“In furtherance of this objective, NNDC and ICAN have established SSP centres in Kano, Gombe, Ilorin and Kaduna. Collaborations are also underway with Katsina and Plateau states for additional centres in Katsina and Jos. These centres expand access to structured professional learning and create opportunities for young Nigerians to pursue careers in accountancy.

“On behalf of the Chairman and Board of NNDC, I assure ICAN that we will continue to strengthen our partnership, particularly in professional development, capacity building, governance improvement and the expansion of opportunities for young Nigerians. As we accept this award, we do so with gratitude, humility and renewed determination to live up to the ideals for which we have been recognised.”