The Federal Government is set to commence nationwide technical validation workshops aimed at developing a comprehensive framework for balanced and inclusive regional development.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Ministry of Regional Development (MRD), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), announced that the workshops will be held across the six geopolitical zones to address regional disparities.
The statement was jointly signed by Mr Sani Datti, Head of Information and Public Relations in the MRD, and Ms Christabel Chanda Ginsberg, Public Engagement, Outreach & Partnerships Lead, UNDP.
According to the statement, the workshops, scheduled to begin on May 11, aim to refine the draft National Regional Development Policy (NRDP) 2026–2030.
The partners noted that the workshops represent the final nationwide consultation phase. They will bring together stakeholders from federal and state governments, Regional Development Commissions, local government authorities, civil society groups, the private sector, academia, and traditional institutions.
The policy is expected to provide a comprehensive framework for addressing regional disparities, unlocking economic potential, and promoting inclusive national development.
“Developed with technical support from UNDP, the policy aligns with national priorities and international frameworks, including the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the African Union Agenda 2063,” the statement said.
Speaking on the NRDP, the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, emphasised the policy’s strategic importance.
“This policy provides the guiding framework for regional development in Nigeria. Each Development Commission is expected to derive its master plan and operational agenda from it,” he said.
Momoh added that stakeholders must engage the document critically to ensure it is robust, inclusive, and implementation-ready. He commended UNDP for its technical support in strengthening the policy’s design and incorporating global best practices.
Also speaking, Ms Elsie Attafuah, UNDP Nigeria Resident Representative, described the National Regional Development Policy as a people-centric and inclusive approach.
“Through the Integrated Smart States Programme (ISSP), we are supporting a model of development that is balanced, locally driven, and connected,” she said.
Attafuah added that the validation workshops were designed to align governments, build political ownership, and provide evidence-based input on key areas.
