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The Chairman of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), Chief Chibudom Nwuche, has promised that the new commission will give top priority to rail and road infrastructure, industries, agriculture, telecommunications, urban renewal, and housing as part of efforts to fast-track development in the oil-rich region.
Nwuche, who is a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the inaugural board meeting of the commission. He said the creation of the SSDC has opened a new chapter for the South-South and Nigeria as a whole, stressing that deliberate and bold actions will be needed to deliver real progress.
The SSDC was formally inaugurated on August 28, 2025, by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu. This followed the signing of the South-South Development Commission Bill into law by President Bola Tinubu in March. The commission is expected to provide solutions to economic, social, and environmental challenges in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers states.
Chief Nwuche recalled his role in the passage of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act when he served in the National Assembly. He described the establishment of the SSDC as another strong signal of government’s commitment to the Niger Delta and the entire South-South zone.
“With the bold step taken by Mr President in signing the SSDC Act into law, there is now room for accelerated development of the country as a whole,” he said.
According to him, Section 8 of the Act mandates the commission to identify the root causes of underdevelopment in the region and implement sustainable projects and programmes. He explained that this responsibility covers wide-ranging sectors including railways, roads, agriculture, industries, telecommunications, electricity, and housing.
“We are mandated to drive the region’s development, including railways and road transportation, industries, agriculture, telecommunications, electricity, and housing. We shall meticulously address these areas by strategically deploying resources to ensure steady and sustainable progress,” Nwuche said.
He also stressed that youth and women empowerment will be central to the work of the commission. He noted that these groups have carried the biggest burden of oil exploration and unemployment in the region.
“We will also prioritise the empowerment of youth and women, who have disproportionately endured the adverse effects of oil production, particularly amid unprecedented unemployment in our oil-bearing states,” he added.
The SSDC chairman assured that the commission will work closely with state governments, the National Assembly, and development partners such as the NDDC and other relevant federal agencies. He said collaboration will help to avoid duplication of projects and ensure better use of resources.
“Fulfilling this mandate will not happen by chance. It will depend on deliberate, bold, and sometimes difficult choices,” Nwuche cautioned.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SSDC, Usoro Akpabio, said the South-South has what it takes to drive Nigeria’s economic future if properly supported. She described the region as “a region ready for the world” and promised that the commission’s programmes will bring the people closer to prosperity.
“Through deliberate investment, sound policy engagement, and meaningful partnerships, we will build the economic backbone of our region. Our cities, towns, and rural communities will not be left behind but positioned to lead,” Akpabio said.
She further explained that infrastructure will remain the central focus of the SSDC’s work. She said new roads, ports, energy projects, and rural connectivity will unlock opportunities for trade, improve security, and attract more investment.
“Infrastructure remains central to this transformation. Roads, ports, energy, and rural connectivity are critical assets that will unlock opportunities, enhance trade, and attract investment. Every bridge we build, every highway we expand, every fibre-optic line we lay will bring our people closer to prosperity,” she said.
Analysts say the coming years will be crucial for the SSDC as the commission begins work in a region that has witnessed long years of environmental degradation, poor infrastructure, and unemployment despite its huge oil and gas resources. Many stakeholders are watching closely to see if the SSDC can avoid the pitfalls of the NDDC, which has often faced criticisms over corruption and abandoned projects.
For residents of the South-South, the creation of the commission raises fresh hope that their communities will finally see lasting development beyond oil wealth.
