Tinubu Signs South-South and South-West Development Commission Bills into Law

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made history by signing into law the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) and South-West Development Commission (SWDC) bills, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s regional development agenda.

This move finalizes the creation of five new Regional Development Commissions (RDCs), a key legislative priority backed by the National Assembly, Speaker Tajudeen Abass, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The Ministry of Regional Development, established in October 2024, will oversee the newly formed commissions, which include:

• South-West Development Commission (SWDC)

• South-South Development Commission (SSDC)

• North-West Development Commission (NWDC)

• South-East Development Commission (SEDC)

• North-Central Development Commission (NCDC)

Each commission is tasked with enhancing infrastructure, economic growth, and social welfare in its respective region, ensuring a more balanced approach to national development. The ministry will coordinate their activities and ensure compliance with their mandates.

The SWDC Bill, sponsored by Ogun East Senator Gbenga Daniel, passed the Senate with a majority vote in September 2024 before being sent to the House of Representatives for approval. Similarly, the SSDC Bill was approved and forwarded to the House in October 2024.

Under Senate President Akpabio’s leadership, the SSDC Bill was prioritized to tackle economic disparity and environmental challenges in Nigeria’s oil-producing region. The SWDC, on the other hand, aims to drive industrialization and infrastructure development in the South-West.

The swift passage of these bills, along with financing mechanisms for the RDCs, underscores strong bipartisan support for regional development. Senate President Akpabio’s commitment to legislative reforms has played a key role in ensuring these initiatives become law.

President Tinubu’s approval of the SWDC and SSDC laws represents a crucial step toward addressing regional imbalances in Nigeria. With the support of the National Assembly and legislative leadership, the RDC framework is expected to tackle zone-specific challenges through targeted interventions.

With the commissions set to become fully operational in the coming months, their impact on regional growth and national development will soon become evident, reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to equitable progress.