President Bola Tinubu has directed that all funds due to Nigeria's regional development commissions be released as required, while warning their boards and management against corruption, waste and projects that fail to deliver meaningful benefits to communities.

Tinubu issued the directive on Monday while declaring open the first North Central Stakeholders Development Summit organised by the North Central Development Commission.

The president was represented at the event by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume.

Tinubu directed the SGF to ensure that funds allocated to the commissions are released when due, saying the Federal Government would continue providing political and financial support necessary for them to fulfil their mandates.

The president said the commissions should concentrate their resources on projects capable of unlocking the economic and industrial potential of their respective regions.

TINUBU WARNS AGAINST WASTEFUL PROJECTS

Tinubu warned that regional development commissions must not become channels through which public resources are wasted.

He said the era of white elephant projects was over and warned officials that corruption, marginalisation, politicisation and ethnic discrimination would not be tolerated.

The president said the government would sanction anyone found guilty of such practices.

He also directed the Ministry of Regional Development to ensure that the commissions operate within the approved regional development framework and called on the National Assembly to provide effective oversight.

According to Tinubu, the commissions were established under his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda to address longstanding development gaps across different parts of Nigeria.

He stressed that their creation was not intended to replace or duplicate the responsibilities of federal, state and local governments.

Instead, they are expected to identify development gaps and implement targeted interventions capable of improving people's lives.

COMMISSIONS URGED TO FIND ALTERNATIVE FUNDING

Akume also encouraged regional development commissions to explore alternative financing rather than depending entirely on allocations from the Federal Government.

He identified public private partnerships, donor support and development financing as possible options where permitted by existing laws and government guidelines.

Tinubu identified infrastructure, industrialisation, investment, education, healthcare, human capital development and security among the areas requiring attention.

He also urged the commissions to pursue projects capable of strengthening connections between regions and expanding economic opportunities.

NORTH CENTRAL OPERATING BELOW ITS POTENTIAL

Turning specifically to the North Central region, Tinubu said it possessed significant opportunities in agriculture, food production, agro processing, solid minerals and industrial development.

However, he said the region had operated below its potential for too long.

The president urged political leaders, traditional institutions, businesses and other stakeholders to use the summit to develop a new direction for the economic and social transformation of the region.

Security remains a major obstacle to development across parts of the North Central.

Tinubu said the Federal Government had increased surveillance and intelligence gathering, established additional security formations and deployed more personnel.

He said authorities were also strengthening the prosecution of criminals while pursuing dialogue and reconciliation as part of efforts to restore stability.

The president tasked the NCDC with supporting these peace and stabilisation efforts, arguing that meaningful development cannot take place without security.

20 YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN PROPOSED

Stakeholders at the summit are considering a proposed 20 year economic, infrastructural and social development plan for the North Central region.

The proposal titled The Great Leap Forward is intended to establish a long term roadmap for transforming the region.

Tinubu urged participants to carefully examine the proposal and ensure it reflects the aspirations of people across the North Central while remaining consistent with the Federal Government's broader development agenda.

He also warned against allowing the summit to become another gathering where recommendations are discussed but never implemented.

The president said the NCDC must demonstrate that the summit can translate its proposals into projects and measurable improvements for communities across the region.