The Federal Government has inaugurated the Core Working Group on Regional Development in Nigeria, a key step in operationalising President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The CWG is tasked with driving coordinated and harmonised implementation of regional development initiatives across the federation. Its primary mandate includes providing technical leadership, strategic alignment, and operational oversight for the programme.
According to a statement from the ministry, the Minister of Regional Development, Mr. Abubakar Momoh, praised President Tinubu’s commitment to balanced growth and inclusive national development. He described regional development commissions as a strategic tool to address long-standing development gaps while responding to evolving socio-economic and security challenges across the country.
The statement noted that Momoh, speaking through the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Regional Development, Uba Ahmadu, assured that the ministry would ensure smooth operations and effective coordination of the Regional Development Commissions for the benefit of Nigerians.
Ahmadu urged members of the CWG to develop practical and responsive policies that reflect the diverse needs of the regions while inspiring stakeholder confidence. He emphasised that the group’s work should be guided by a region-by-region approach reflecting local realities, priorities, and comparative advantages. Policies, he added, must align with national development plans and global best practices to ensure continuity beyond political cycles.
He stated, “Your efforts must be guided by a region-by-region approach that reflects local realities, priorities, and comparative advantages. Your policy thrust must align with national development plans and global best practices, ensuring continuity beyond political cycles.”
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development, Dr Mariam Masha, pledged the support of the Presidency to the CWG and the ministry. She described the inauguration as a decisive shift from strategy to execution, stressing that development must be nationally coordinated and regionally grounded.
Masha explained that the Renewed Hope Agenda aims to reduce long-standing disparities in economic opportunities and human development across the country. She said the success of the initiative would depend on linking regional strategies to ward-level development, emphasising that transformation must begin at the grassroots.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Mary Ogbe, described regional development as essential to reducing disparities, fostering social cohesion, and unlocking economic opportunities nationwide. She said the inauguration of the CWG formally establishes a dedicated team to drive the design, coordination, and implementation of regional development policies, programmes, and initiatives.
Country Representative of UNICEF Nigeria, Ms Wafaa Abdelatef, called the inauguration a significant milestone and “a promise to Nigeria’s children of a future that is equitable, resilient, and full of opportunities.”
Represented by UNICEF Chief of Social Policy, Dr Hamidou Poufon, she reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the CWG through evidence-based planning, capacity building, and consensus-building around regional priorities, ensuring children’s rights, gender equality, disability inclusion, and youth participation remain central.
