By Anamati Inyang | November 8, 2025 | RISMADAR Blog
The Managing Director of the South South Development Commission (SSDC), Ms. Usoro Akpabio, was among the top government officials and development partners who gathered on Thursday at the Centre for Counterterrorism, Office of the National Security Adviser, Abuja, for a high-level stakeholders’ engagement on regional development.
The forum, part of a series of engagements for the week, provided a platform for discussions on promoting inclusive and sustainable development across Nigeria’s regions.
The event saw the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, lead the government delegation. Also present were the Minister of Regional Development, Hon. Abubakar Momoh; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development, Dr. Mariam Masha.
International and national development institutions were well represented, including Major General Adamu Garba Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counterterrorism Centre (NCTC); Mr. Mohammed Malick Fall, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria; Ms. Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF Country Representative; and Sir Olusegun Adekunle, representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
Speaking at the event, Ms. Akpabio highlighted the need for stronger coordination among agencies to ensure that development efforts translate into tangible benefits for communities across the six geopolitical zones. The forum underscored the importance of collaboration in driving sustainable socio-economic growth and building resilient regional development frameworks.
This gathering marked a significant step in aligning government and development partners’ efforts toward a unified vision for Nigeria’s regional development.
