ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, to ensure the immediate and timely release of all approved funds accruable to Nigeria’s regional development commissions.
The Presidential directive was delivered on Monday, September 14, 2026, during the inaugural North Central Stakeholders’ Development Summit in Abuja, where Akume represented the President. The directive applies to all regional intervention bodies overseen by the Ministry of Regional Development, including the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), North East Development Commission (NEDC), North West Development Commission (NWDC), South East Development Commission (SEDC), South West Development Commission (SWDC), and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
While ordering the prompt disbursement of federal funds, President Tinubu issued a stern warning to the leadership and governing boards of the commissions, cautioning that these interventionist agencies must not become avenues for corruption, political patronage, or financial recklessness.
“There is no excuse for the commissions to become another conduit pipe for wasting public funds,” President Tinubu warned. “Development must be about the people and not on paper. Anyone found culpable of corruption, marginalisation, or ethnic considerations in the execution of projects will face severe sanctions.”
