Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has called for urgent and coordinated action to address security challenges, poverty, and infrastructural decay in the North-West region of Nigeria.
The speaker made the call at the inauguration of the House Committee on the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) at the National Assembly.
He emphasised that the region’s developmental crisis must be tackled head-on to prevent further deterioration.
“For too long, the North-West has faced systemic neglect, worsening insecurity, and economic decline. The time for half-measures is over. This Commission must be the catalyst for real, measurable change,” Abbas said.
The Speaker urged the NWDC to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment across the zone and develop a 10-year strategic plan to guide its interventions.
He emphasised that the plan must be backed by innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships and development bonds, to ensure sustainability.
The Speaker lamented the devastating impact of insecurity on the region’s economy, noting that once-booming industries such as the textile sector in Kaduna and Kano have nearly collapsed due to violence and policy failures.
“Banditry and rural violence have crippled agricultural production, driven thousands from their homes, and forced children out of school. These are not abstract problems—they are existential threats to the region’s survival.
“The establishment of a Ministry for Regional Development and the President’s swift assent to the Regional Development Bills are clear indications of his resolve to address these challenges. Now, it is time for this Commission to translate policy into action.
“A prosperous North-West means a stronger Nigeria. This is a call to action, not just for the Commission but for all stakeholders—state governments, traditional rulers, civil society, and the private sector. We must act now, before the situation worsens,” Speaker Abbas stated.