ABUJA: The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has unveiled a 20-year development plan aimed at transforming Nigeria’s North Central region into a more integrated economic hub through coordinated investment in infrastructure, agriculture, mining, security, human capital and the digital economy.
Known as the North Central Development Plan 2027–2046, the proposed roadmap was presented at the NCDC Road Map and Stakeholders’ Development Summit held in Abuja from September 14 to 15, 2026.
The plan covers Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the commission, the strategy is designed to move the region away from fragmented development initiatives and focus resources on major programmes capable of creating jobs, increasing productivity, improving public services and attracting investment.
The two-day summit attracted 862 physical participants and 49 online attendees from government institutions, state governments, the National Assembly, traditional and religious institutions, development organisations, businesses, academia, civil society, youth and women’s groups.
Presenting the draft roadmap, Nasarawa State Governor and Chairman of the North Central Governors’ Forum, Abdullahi Sule, highlighted the region’s extensive agricultural and mineral resources.
Sule stressed the importance of processing raw materials within the region instead of exporting them with little value added.
He said the region’s natural resources should be translated into measurable improvements in employment, income, productivity and living standards.
NCDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, described the summit as the beginning of an inclusive, evidence-based and implementation-focused development process.
Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, who delivered the keynote address, called for the commission to become the strategic coordinating institution for an integrated regional economy.
Agriculture and mining feature prominently in the proposed North Central development plan.
The NCDC is expected to develop state-specific agricultural and livestock value chains covering inputs, mechanisation, irrigation, storage, processing, packaging, branding, logistics and exports.
The roadmap also proposes measures to formalise artisanal mining and establish mineral-processing and manufacturing clusters capable of increasing local value addition.
As part of the investment strategy, the commission plans to establish a geographic information system-enabled regional economic database.
The database would map productive assets, farms, water resources, mineral deposits, infrastructure gaps, comparative advantages and investment opportunities across the region.
The commission also plans to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through skills development, affordable financing, market access and investment incentives.
States in the region are encouraged to harmonise investment regulations, establish land banks and package viable projects for domestic and international investors.
Infrastructure connectivity is another major component of the 20-year roadmap.
The summit called for an integrated transport programme connecting the six states and the FCT through strategic roads, railways, inland waterways and logistics systems.
The rehabilitation and completion of transport corridors capable of connecting agricultural production areas with markets and investment centres were identified as immediate priorities.
The roadmap specifically highlights the Abuja–Lokoja road corridor, regional rail connections, Baro inland-port logistics, dry-port links and modern freight systems.
It also proposes a regional energy programme, improved public water supply, expanded irrigation and stronger urban and rural infrastructure.
The plan recommends that security, climate resilience, maintenance and technical expertise be considered from the design stage of major infrastructure projects.
The proposed North Central development plan also places emphasis on education, skills development, healthcare and social inclusion.
The NCDC plans to develop a regional human-capital database covering children, young people, women, persons with disabilities, indigent households and rural communities.
The strategy seeks to reduce school dropout, address teacher shortages and improve the quality of existing schools.
It also proposes greater emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as technical and vocational education linked to industries and regional value chains.
In healthcare, the plan proposes strengthening teaching hospitals and specialised medical institutions according to their areas of comparative advantage.
It also recommends expanding health-insurance coverage for vulnerable residents and improving access to essential medicines.
Security was identified as a critical component of the region’s economic development.
The summit recommended a coordinated regional security framework involving statutory security agencies, traditional institutions and communities.
The proposed framework would focus on intelligence sharing, early-warning systems, community engagement and cooperation between states.
Participants also recommended assessing the lawful use of satellite imagery, drones and geospatial technology to strengthen intelligence gathering and security operations.
The roadmap links security with livelihoods, youth engagement, rehabilitation, justice, social cohesion and the safe return or resettlement of displaced communities.
The 20-year plan also addresses climate and environmental risks affecting the North Central region.
The commission is expected to map areas vulnerable to flooding, erosion, drought and mining-related hazards while improving early-warning systems.
The strategy proposes flood and erosion control measures and recovery pathways for people displaced by climate-related events.
It also calls for stronger environmental safeguards before the expansion of mining and major infrastructure projects.
Among the proposed measures are a regional mining-hazard register, mine-site remediation and ecosystem restoration.
Digital transformation is another major pillar of the NCDC roadmap.
The commission plans to expand broadband connectivity, establish artificial intelligence and digital-skills centres and improve technology training for teachers and young people.
It also wants to connect beneficiaries of skills programmes with employers, business-process outsourcing opportunities and legitimate remote-work platforms.
A dedicated innovation financing mechanism has been proposed to support technology businesses, makerspaces, innovation hubs and digital public services.
The plan also envisages Abuja playing a major role as a regional business and digital hub.
The summit recommended that financing models should be matched to the economic character of individual projects.
Commercially viable projects could attract private-sector investment, while projects with significant economic benefits but weaker initial financial returns could be supported through blended financing.
Essential public services would require appropriate government funding.
The summit also called for a disciplined project-preparation system involving feasibility studies, financial models, transparent contracts, credible project sponsors, proper risk allocation and maintenance plans.
This is intended to ensure that projects are sufficiently prepared before being presented to investors.
To strengthen implementation, the summit recommended establishing a Programme Management Office within the NCDC.
The office would coordinate flagship projects, project preparation, financing, implementation support, risk management and performance reporting.
The commission was also urged to secure durable legal and institutional backing for the 20-year plan and clearly define the responsibilities of federal and state governments, local authorities, communities, investors and development partners.
Regular performance reports based on verified baselines and measurable targets were also recommended.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, endorsed the long-term planning approach and urged the NCDC to concentrate on realistic, high-impact and properly funded interventions backed by accountability and diversified financing.
The communiqué was presented by Prof. Mohammed Nuhu and adopted by participants at the close of the summit on September 15, 2026, in Abuja.
The proposed North Central Development Plan 2027–2046 now provides a long-term framework for regional development. Its effectiveness will depend on how successfully the NCDC and participating governments translate the roadmap into funded projects, clear implementation responsibilities and measurable development outcomes.
