The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has announced plans to focus on key projects that will accelerate growth in the region, with rail and road infrastructure, industries, agriculture, telecommunications, housing, and urban renewal topping its agenda.
The Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Chibudom Nwuche, made this known on Thursday during the inaugural board meeting of the SSDC in Abuja. The commission, created to address the developmental challenges of the oil-rich South-South region, was officially inaugurated on August 28, 2025, by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Mr. Uba Maigari Ahmadu. This came after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the South-South Development Commission Bill into law in March 2025.
The commission’s mandate covers the six states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers. It is expected to tackle economic, social, and environmental problems in the region, which is home to much of Nigeria’s crude oil production but continues to face poverty, unemployment, and infrastructural decay.
Mr. Nwuche, who is a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, said the creation of the commission signals a strong commitment to improving the lives of people in the Niger Delta. He recalled his role in the passage of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act during the Fourth Assembly and described the SSDC as another bold step in ensuring fairness and growth for the South-South.
“With the bold step taken by Mr. President in signing the SSDC Act into law, there is now room for accelerated development of the country as a whole,” he said. He explained that Section 8 of the Act empowers the commission to identify the causes of underdevelopment in the region and implement sustainable programmes to address them.
Nwuche stated that the commission would take a strategic approach in deploying resources to ensure visible impact. “We are mandated to drive the region’s development, including railways and road transportation, industries, agriculture, telecommunications, electricity, and housing. We shall meticulously address these areas by strategically deploying resources to ensure steady and sustainable progress,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of empowering women and young people, who he noted have suffered the most from the environmental impact of oil production and high unemployment levels in oil-bearing states. According to him, youth and women empowerment will remain central to the commission’s projects.
The SSDC chairman assured stakeholders that the commission would work closely with state governments, the National Assembly, the Niger Delta Development Commission, federal ministries, and international development partners. He said this collaboration was necessary to avoid duplication of projects and to ensure that available funds are maximised. “Fulfilling this mandate will not happen by chance. It will depend on deliberate, bold, and sometimes difficult choices,” he added.
Speaking at the meeting, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the SSDC, Mrs. Usoro Akpabio, said the South-South region is ready to take its place as a hub of growth in Nigeria. She explained that the commission’s programmes would be designed to make prosperity closer to the people by focusing on infrastructure and inclusive development.
“Through deliberate investment, sound policy engagement, and meaningful partnerships, we will build the economic backbone of our region. Our cities, towns, and rural communities will not be left behind but positioned to lead,” she said.
She noted that infrastructure development would be a central focus, adding that roads, ports, power, and digital connectivity are the main drivers of trade, investment, and opportunities for local communities. “Every bridge we build, every highway we expand, every fibre-optic line we lay will bring our people closer to prosperity,” Mrs. Akpabio said.
Stakeholders who attended the board meeting also emphasised the importance of transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in the commission’s work. They expressed optimism that the SSDC, if properly managed, could deliver long-awaited transformation to the Niger Delta and the South-South region at large.
The inauguration of the SSDC has raised expectations among citizens in the oil-producing states who want to see new industries, better transport systems, improved access to electricity, and new jobs. Observers say the success of the commission will depend on effective planning, the right partnerships, and political will to ensure that funds are not wasted.
For many in the South-South, the SSDC represents another chance to bridge the gap between the wealth of oil resources in the region and the poverty still faced by many communities.
