Stakeholders Validate National Regional Development Policy in Kano

Stakeholders have commenced the validation of the National Regional Development Policy aimed at promoting balanced economic growth, social development and sustainable transformation across Nigeria’s regions.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Regional Development, Mary Ogbe, stated this at the Regional Technical Validation Workshop on the National Regional Development Policy organised by the ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kano on Monday. She said the workshop was designed to produce a comprehensive and people-centred policy capable of addressing developmental challenges and advancing national development objectives.

Ogbe explained that the validation exercise would provide stakeholders with the opportunity to review the draft policy and contribute ideas that would strengthen its implementation and effectiveness. She urged participants to actively engage in deliberations to ensure the emergence of a robust regional development framework that reflects the aspirations and needs of Nigerians.

The Managing Director of the North West Development Commission, Shehu Abdullahi, commended the Federal Government and UNDP for facilitating the policy development process. He described the workshop as timely, noting that a well-structured regional development policy would stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities and improve the living standards of citizens.

Also speaking, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, represented by Enayaba Napholion, said the gathering was critical to developing an inclusive and effective policy framework. He reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting the Ministry of Regional Development in achieving its objectives, while participants and development experts from across the country deliberated on strategies to strengthen regional development and promote equitable socio-economic progress.