By Nathan Oguche Emmanuel, PhD
The recently released budgetary allocation for Nigeria’s regional development commissions has stirred justified outrage, especially from the North Central geopolitical zone. With no mention of a commission for the region and zero budgetary allocation, the marginalization of North Central Nigeria has once again taken centre stage. Such blatant and flagrant marginalization, disregarding the principles of national unity and equal opportunity, reveals how the country rewards negative radicalism over peaceful advocacy.
Nigeria boasts five regional development commissions: the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North East Development Commission (NEDC), North West Development Commission (NWDC), South East Development Commission (SEDC), and South West Development Commission (SWDC). These bodies aim to address specific developmental challenges unique to their zones. For instance, the NDDC was established to tackle environmental degradation caused by oil exploration, while the NEDC addresses the devastation wrought by Boko Haram insurgency. However, the glaring absence of a North Central Development Commission is not just a mistake; it is a loud statement of disregard for the region.
In the proposed 2025 budget, allocations to these commissions are staggering. The NDDC leads with N776.53 billion, followed by NWDC with N585.93 billion, SWDC with N498.40 billion, NEDC with N290.99 billion, and SEDC with N34.27 billion. The North Central zone received nothing. Why do the other five geopolitical zones have regional development commissions, while the North Central does not? Could it be that the region lacks sufficient crises to warrant federal attention, or is this an institutionalized snub and abandonment?
We are aware that Senator Abba Moro’s bill is already at an advanced stage, the fact that the North Central is currently the only region without a regional development commission affirms the age-long neglect of the region. Leaders from other parts of the country often trample on the rights of Middle Belt people and, in many cases, insult them with impunity, knowing that when one side of their cheek is slapped, they readily turn the other side to endure further injustice.
The North Central zone is rich in resources and cultural diversity but faces challenges ranging from underdevelopment to sporadic communal clashes. Despite being the cornerstone of the nation’s unity, its contributions to national cohesion and stability are consistently overlooked. This systemic neglect suggests that Nigeria’s federal structure tends to reward disruption over peaceful coexistence, creating a perverse incentive for regions to generate crises to attract attention.
Many people are already speculating that the region suffers such deep-seated scorn because it lacks a strong dissident to force federal attention. Unlike the Niger Delta, with its militant agitations, or the North East, plagued by insurgency, the North Central has remained relatively subdued, at least in terms of organized dissent. If regional development commissions are established to address the unique developmental challenges of each region, the North Central should have been the next to have one after the Niger Delta. This is because the region, being the melting pot of other regions, has historically suffered due to the excesses of other regions. For instance, when Boko Haram insurgents are vigorously pursued by the military in the North East and West, the North Central often becomes a refuge for the terrorists. Additionally, during the civil war, the people of North Central region suffered at the hands of both the Biafran and Nigerian armies.
The lawmakers representing the North Central region bear part of the blame. While Senator Abba Moro’s efforts should be applauded, further action should be expedited to ensure that his vision for a North Central Development Commission is realized without further delay. The lawmakers from the region have largely failed to champion the cause of their constituents. Many appear more interested in currying favour with power, sacrificing the collective interests of the region for personal gain. This unfortunate development has left the region vulnerable to neglect and exploitation.
The political elites from the Middle Belt must recognize that silence and subservience are not strategies for progress, especially in a country where national discourses are dominantly viewed through the lens of regional interests. They need to prioritize their constituents over political expediency, leveraging their positions to secure the resources and attention the region desperately needs. The federal government must address this glaring inequality and establish a North Central Development Commission to rectify decades of neglect. Equally, the region’s leaders must jettison their lacklustre attitudes and adopt a more proactive stance in advocating for their people.
North Central Nigeria has no apparent sins. The region’s only known sin is its loyalty to a nation that seems determined to overlook it.
Nathan writes from Abuja
Email: emmnatslinks@gmail.com
