President Bola Tinubu has signed the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) and South-West Development Commission (SWDC) Bills into law, officially establishing the two commissions to drive economic development, infrastructure growth, and social welfare in their respective regions.
The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday, confirming that with this assent, all six geopolitical zones in Nigeria now have dedicated development commissions.
“Just to inform distinguished senators that Mr. President has assented to the remaining regional development bills, the South-West Development Commission Bill and the South-South Development Commission Bill. We now have all the developmental commissions legally in existence,” Akpabio said.
Lawmakers applauded President Tinubu for approving the bills, highlighting their significance in bringing development closer to the grassroots, creating more jobs, and fostering economic prosperity in the two regions.
The SSDC Bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), was passed by the Senate in October 2024 and later transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence. The SWDC Bill, championed by Senator Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), received Senate approval in September 2024. With Tinubu’s endorsement, both commissions now join the North-West, North-East, and South-East commissions in Nigeria’s regional development framework.
A New Era for Regional Development
Presidential adviser on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, praised Tinubu’s move, describing it as a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance.
“These landmark legislations are a clear reflection of President Tinubu’s relentless commitment to equitable progress and Nigeria’s emergence as a global powerhouse,” Lado stated. “By signing into law the establishment of the South-South and South-West Development Commissions, President Tinubu has reaffirmed his role as a transformational leader who prioritizes regional empowerment, economic expansion, and infrastructural excellence.”
The commissions are expected to drive industrial growth, job creation, and social advancement, ensuring that both regions fully benefit from their economic potential.
For the South-South, the SSDC is seen as a critical tool to tackle environmental degradation, poor infrastructure, and resource mismanagement in the Niger Delta. Meanwhile, the SWDC will focus on enhancing the economic strength of the South-West, a region known for its commercial and industrial activities.
With these legal frameworks now in place, attention shifts to the operationalization of the commissions, ensuring that they deliver tangible development and effectively address regional challenges.
