By Esther Olaoluwa |
The Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has approved a ₦130 billion investment package aimed at expanding infrastructure, strengthening enterprise development and accelerating economic transformation across Nigeria’s North-East region.
The approvals include a ₦100 billion renewable energy programme and a ₦30 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Fund, marking what the Commission described as a transition from post-insurgency recovery to long-term development under the North-East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan (NESDMP) and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Commission Shifts Focus to Long-Term Development
Speaking after the Governing Board meeting in Abuja, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NEDC, Mohammed Alkali, said the Commission was entering a new phase focused on sustainable economic growth after years of rebuilding communities affected by insurgency.
He said the newly approved investments would expand infrastructure, improve access to renewable energy, strengthen healthcare delivery, support enterprise development and attract private sector investment into the region.
“Today marks another defining milestone in the transformation of the North-East. The decisions of the Governing Board reaffirm the North East Development Commission’s commitment to delivering sustainable development in line with the North-East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Alkali said.
According to him, the Commission has laid a strong foundation for recovery and is now focused on building long-term prosperity across the region.
₦100bn Renewable Energy Programme Approved
A major component of the investment package is the approval of a ₦100 billion programme to deploy 50 megawatts of renewable energy through solar mini-grids and distributed energy systems across the six North-East states.
Alkali said the initiative was designed to address the region’s electricity deficit, noting that only about 39 per cent of residents currently have access to electricity, while approximately 61 per cent remain without reliable power supply.
He explained that the project would provide electricity to homes, schools, hospitals, markets, agricultural clusters and industrial parks while reducing energy costs and improving productivity.
According to him, the renewable energy programme will also support agro-processing, healthcare delivery, education, digital innovation, job creation and Nigeria’s transition to clean energy.
Board Establishes ₦30bn MSME Development Fund
The Governing Board also approved the establishment of a ₦30 billion NEDC-Bank of Industry MSME Development Fund to provide affordable financing, business development services and capacity-building support for micro, small and medium enterprises across the North-East.
Alkali said the intervention would prioritise youth- and women-owned businesses as part of efforts to stimulate entrepreneurship, strengthen local industries and create sustainable employment opportunities.
He noted that the fund is expected to promote inclusive economic growth and improve livelihoods across the region.
Electric Mobility, Railway and Healthcare Projects Receive Approval
The Commission also approved plans to roll out an electric mobility programme that will deploy more than 10,000 electric vehicles in phases across the North-East.
The programme includes electric taxis, 12-seater electric minibuses and larger-capacity buses, supported by charging infrastructure and maintenance facilities.
According to the Commission, the initiative is expected to modernise public transportation, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, create green jobs and position the North-East as a leader in sustainable mobility.
The Board also approved plans to advance the proposed North-East Railway project and establish a regional airline to improve connectivity, facilitate trade and attract investment into the region.
To strengthen healthcare delivery, the Commission approved the procurement of eight state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla helium-free Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines, Computed Tomography (CT) scanners, digital X-ray systems, dialysis machines and other advanced diagnostic equipment for tertiary hospitals across the North-East.
Alkali said the investment would improve access to specialist healthcare services and reduce the need for patients to seek medical treatment outside the region.
He added that the Commission also approved the upgrade of the Borno Eye Hospital into a modern ophthalmic centre and the establishment of a fully equipped fertility centre at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
NEDC Highlights Development Achievements
Highlighting the Commission’s achievements, Alkali disclosed that the NEDC has completed more than 300 kilometres of roads and over 50 bridges across the North-East, improving connectivity and access to markets, schools and healthcare facilities.
He said the Commission has also installed more than 100,000 solar-powered streetlights, constructed 18 mega schools, delivered 49 tertiary education projects and expanded access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities across the region.
The managing director further revealed that the Commission recently attained five International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certifications covering quality management, environmental management, occupational health and safety, anti-bribery systems and sustainable community development.
According to him, the certifications reflect the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability and improved public service delivery.
Alkali described the newly approved projects as one of the Commission’s most ambitious investment packages since its establishment, expressing confidence that the initiatives would unlock private investment, strengthen regional competitiveness and improve the quality of life of residents across the North-East.
He said the investments represent another step towards achieving sustainable development and economic transformation across the region.
Share this
