The decision followed the signing of the Northern Nigeria Economic Development Charter at the close of the Northern Investment and Industrialisation Summit in Abuja.

In a joint communiqué, the forums said the NNDC will serve as the central agency for implementing a long-term regional development masterplan, operating under their joint supervision. The council will lead efforts in mining, agriculture, power, industrialisation, and technology, with full backing from participating state governments.

Over $10 billion in investment pledges were secured during the summit, with plans for implementation over five years. Participants stressed the importance of regional economic integration, improved infrastructure, and investor-friendly policies.

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Recommendations included reforms to ease doing business, standardise public-private partnership models, and overhaul land administration systems. A proposed Security-Investment Coordination Task Force would protect critical projects.

The communiqué described the initiative as a revival of the North’s historical economic strengths from the 1960s and 1970s, aiming to build a modern, sustainable, and coordinated framework for growth.

Source: Punch