Tinubu revises NWDC leadership, appoints Atuma for SEDC

President Bola Tinubu has turned down the advice of the National Economic Council (NEC) to withdraw the tax reform bills — President Bola Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a revised list of nominees for the inaugural Governing Board of the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) to the Senate for confirmation, replacing Ambassador Haruna Ginsau with Alhaji Lawal Samai’la Abdullahi as chairman.

The President also nominated Hon. Emeka Atuma as the pioneer chairman of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) and Hon. Mark C. Okoye as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, pending Senate approval.

In the updated NWDC list, Ja’afar Abubakar Sadeeq and Yahaya Aminu Abdulhadi replace earlier nominees Senator Tijani Yahaya Kaura and Hon. Abdulkadir S. Usman.

Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji retains his role as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NWDC.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the new appointments underscore Tinubu’s commitment to inclusivity and development.

“The President remains determined to ensure that every geopolitical zone is adequately represented in these critical commissions, in line with the Senate’s revisions to the NWDC Act,” he stated.

The revised list now includes representatives from each geopolitical zone, with nominees such as Chukwu Chijioke, Ahmed Mohammed, Engr. Ahmed Rufai Timasaniyu, Macdonalds Michael Uyi, Yemi Ola, and Hon. Babatunde Dada.

In the SEDC, Tinubu’s list features Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Hon. Donatus Eyinnah Nwankpa, Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu Ph.D., Nasiru Usman, and Hamma Adama Ali Kumo. Additional appointees include Edward David Onoja, Orure Kufre Inima, and Chief (Mrs.) Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma.

Prince Obinna Obiekweihe was named Executive Director (Projects), Senator Anthony O. Agbo as Executive Director (Finance and Administration), and Dr. Daniel Ikechukwu Ugwuja as Executive Director (Corporate Services).

“These pioneers have been carefully chosen to drive the commissions’ mandates and promote sustainable development in their respective regions,” Onanuga said.

He added that the President expects the nominees to utilise their wealth of experience to bring tangible results.

President Tinubu, through his nominations, reiterated his focus on regional progress.

“These appointments are not just about representation; they are about empowering regions with capable leadership to achieve economic and social transformation,” Onanuga emphasized.

The Senate is expected to review and confirm the nominees in the coming weeks.