Tinubu Orders Immediate Release of Funds to Regional Development Commissions

Abuja, 14 September 2026 – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave a clear directive on Monday to fast‑track the release of all funds that are due to Nigeria’s Regional Development Commissions. The order was delivered through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, during the opening of the first North Central Stakeholders Development Summit hosted by the North Central Development Commission (NCDC).

In his short address, President Tinubu stressed that the Federal Government will keep providing both political and financial backing to the NCDC and the other six regional commissions. He said the support is vital for projects that can unlock the economic and industrial potential of each zone, especially in infrastructure, industrialisation, security, investment, education, health and human‑capital development.

The President’s instruction was explicit: “I therefore direct the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to ensure that all funds accruable to the Commissions are released as and when due.”

The directive comes at a time when many states are lobbying for faster disbursement of federal allocations to kick‑start stalled projects. By ordering the release “as and when due”, the Presidency aims to remove bottlenecks that have slowed regional development programmes in the past.

While the release of funds is welcomed by governors and commission heads, Tinubu warned against any form of misuse. He cautioned the commissions to avoid corruption, waste, politicisation and projects that do not directly benefit Nigerians.

In addition to the cash flow, the President urged the commissions to broaden their financing sources. He highlighted public‑private partnerships, donor funding and development financing as viable alternatives that can complement federal allocations and reduce dependence on a single revenue stream.

Stakeholders at the summit, including representatives from the Ministry of Regional Development, welcomed the move. They said the timely release of funds will boost confidence among contractors, investors and local communities, and help deliver on promises made during previous election cycles.

The NCDC, which covers the North Central zone, will now coordinate with the Secretary’s office to ensure that each commission receives its share promptly. The federal team also pledged to monitor the utilisation of the funds closely to prevent the emergence of “white‑elephant” projects – a phrase the President used to describe wasteful, oversized ventures that drain public resources without delivering tangible benefits.

Analysts note that the directive signals a shift towards more disciplined fiscal management at the regional level. If implemented fully, it could set a benchmark for other zones and improve Nigeria’s overall development trajectory.

The Presidency has not disclosed the exact amount earmarked for release, but officials say it covers both pending and upcoming allocations for the 2026‑2027 financial year.

The government’s next step is to issue detailed implementation guidelines to the commissions within the next two weeks, ensuring that the funds flow smoothly to the intended projects and that any irregularities are swiftly addressed.