The federal government is pursuing global funding and public-private partnerships to advance regional development across Nigeria. This direction emerged from a communique issued after a two-day retreat hosted by the Ministry of Regional Development in Benin City, Edo State. The retreat, themed "Generating Fresh Ideas to Unlock the Potential of the Regions," convened National Assembly committee chairs, heads of regional development commissions, development partners, and senior government officials. Participants agreed that regional development commissions must align project proposals with Sustainable Development Goals and climate resilience frameworks to qualify for international grants and concessional financing.
Each commission is to appoint a Development Finance and Partnerships Officer to identify and manage global funding opportunities. The ministry is to convene a Development Partner Engagement Forum within six months. Public-private partnerships were highlighted as critical for closing infrastructure gaps in power and transport sectors. Delegates called for expanded electricity generation and inter-modal transport systems linking industrial zones, dry ports, rail lines, and seaports.
The Ministry of Regional Development will coordinate amendments to the legal frameworks establishing the regional commissions to ensure uniformity and efficiency. Compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2007, Finance Act 2023, Public Service Rules, and IPSAS is required to strengthen transparency. Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, represented by Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, opened the retreat. Minister of Regional Development Engr. Abubakar Momoh stressed the need for frequent, smaller coordination sessions among the ministry, commissions, and management teams.
Engr. Abubakar Momoh wants tighter coordination with regional commissions while simultaneously seeking global funding that depends on transparency, yet no mechanism was presented to track how past funds were used. The push for PPPs and foreign grants assumes accountability, but the communique does not reference audits or performance reviews of existing commissions. If prior spending lacks verifiable outcomes, new funding risks flowing into the same unmonitored channels. Nigerians named in the communique, including commission heads and ministry officials, now face the test of proving their institutions can manage fresh funds differently.
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