By Our Reporter

The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has wrapped up its two-day retreat in Lafia, Nasarawa State, with a firm commitment to advancing the socio-economic development of the North Central region. The retreat, held in partnership with the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) programme, focused on addressing the critical challenges facing the region and mapping out actionable strategies for sustainable growth, peace, and prosperity.

The event brought together key stakeholders including members of the National Assembly Committees on NCDC, federal ministers, NCDC board members and management, development partners, and expert resource persons. Together, they deliberated on enhancing institutional governance and accountability, while crafting practical pathways to tackle the region’s pressing issues.

Participants acknowledged the significant developmental hurdles confronting the North Central zone—chief among them insecurity, youth unemployment, underutilization of agricultural and mineral resources, and infrastructural gaps. They highlighted that recurrent violent conflicts, armed banditry, and farmer-herder clashes continue to undermine livelihoods, displace communities, and discourage investment.

In response, the retreat resolved in a communique issued this evening, that the NCDC will prioritize agricultural transformation through value chain enhancement, mechanization, improved market access, and rural road infrastructure development. The Commission also pledged support for agribusiness incubation centres and agro-industrial clusters across the region’s states.

On mineral resources, the NCDC committed to collaborating with state governments and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals to promote sustainable mining practices, establish community-based mining cooperatives, and strengthen local beneficiation processes.

Empowerment of youths, women, and vulnerable groups was another focal point, with plans to design inclusive programs aimed at enhancing skills, entrepreneurship, and leadership. A regional youth innovation hub will be created to foster creativity, digital skills, and job opportunities.

Addressing insecurity, the Commission will work alongside traditional institutions, community leaders, and security agencies to build peace, prevent conflicts, and enhance community resilience. Special attention will be given to post-conflict rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.

The retreat also emphasized the importance of deepening partnerships with national and international development agencies, private investors, academia, and local governments to mobilize resources and technical expertise.

In a show of commitment to transparency and professionalism, the NCDC Board and Management reaffirmed their dedication to good governance, strengthening institutional mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation to ensure effective implementation of programs.

The Commission expressed gratitude to the SPRiNG programme for its technical support in facilitating the retreat and vowed to sustain this collaboration in capacity building, research, and policy development. A comprehensive strategic roadmap is set to be developed to guide future interventions with clear priorities, timelines, and performance indicators.

Participants praised the leadership of the NCDC and SPRiNG programme for organizing the retreat and reiterated their collective resolve to transform the North Central region into a beacon of peace, prosperity, and inclusive growth.

— Ends —

The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has wrapped up its two-day retreat in Lafia, Nasarawa State, with a firm commitment to advancing the socio-economic development of the North Central region. The retreat, held in partnership with the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) programme, focused on addressing the critical challenges facing the region and mapping out actionable strategies for sustainable growth, peace, and prosperity.

The event brought together key stakeholders including members of the National Assembly Committees on NCDC, federal ministers, NCDC board members and management, development partners, and expert resource persons. Together, they deliberated on enhancing institutional governance and accountability, while crafting practical pathways to tackle the region’s pressing issues.

Participants acknowledged the significant developmental hurdles confronting the North Central zone—chief among them insecurity, youth unemployment, underutilization of agricultural and mineral resources, and infrastructural gaps. They highlighted that recurrent violent conflicts, armed banditry, and farmer-herder clashes continue to undermine livelihoods, displace communities, and discourage investment.

In response, the retreat resolved that the NCDC will prioritize agricultural transformation through value chain enhancement, mechanization, improved market access, and rural road infrastructure development. The Commission also pledged support for agribusiness incubation centres and agro-industrial clusters across the region’s states.

On mineral resources, the NCDC committed to collaborating with state governments and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals to promote sustainable mining practices, establish community-based mining cooperatives, and strengthen local beneficiation processes.

Empowerment of youths, women, and vulnerable groups was another focal point, with plans to design inclusive programs aimed at enhancing skills, entrepreneurship, and leadership. A regional youth innovation hub will be created to foster creativity, digital skills, and job opportunities.

Addressing insecurity, the Commission will work alongside traditional institutions, community leaders, and security agencies to build peace, prevent conflicts, and enhance community resilience. Special attention will be given to post-conflict rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.

The retreat also emphasized the importance of deepening partnerships with national and international development agencies, private investors, academia, and local governments to mobilize resources and technical expertise.

In a show of commitment to transparency and professionalism, the NCDC Board and Management reaffirmed their dedication to good governance, strengthening institutional mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation to ensure effective implementation of programs.

The Commission expressed gratitude to the SPRiNG programme for its technical support in facilitating the retreat and vowed to sustain this collaboration in capacity building, research, and policy development. A comprehensive strategic roadmap is set to be developed to guide future interventions with clear priorities, timelines, and performance indicators.

Participants praised the leadership of the NCDC and SPRiNG programme for organizing the retreat and reiterated their collective resolve to transform the North Central region into a beacon of peace, prosperity, and inclusive growth.