The Senate has confirmed 32 nominees for the Governing Boards of the North West Development Commission and the South East Development Commission.
The confirmations took place on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, during a plenary session led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Mark Okoye was confirmed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the SEDC, while Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji was confirmed for the same position at the NWDC.
The Senate made its decision after receiving a report from the Ad-Hoc Committee on Regional Development Commissions, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia-North). According to Kalu, all nominees demonstrated the competence needed to manage the commissions effectively during their screening.
In Kalu’s words, “These nominees have shown the capacity to carry out their duties with integrity and accountability. It is our duty to ensure they remain transparent in their operations.”
However, a brief drama unfolded when some lawmakers attempted to halt the confirmation process for further consultations. The move was unsuccessful as the Senate resolved to proceed with the confirmation.
For the NWDC, the Senate approved 14 board members, including Alhaji Lawal Samai’la Abdullahi as Chairman and Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji as Managing Director. Other members include Dr. Yahaya Umar Namahe, Hon. Aminu Suleiman, Ja’afar Abubakar Sadeeq, Yahaya Aminu Abdullahi, Hon. Engr Muhammad Ali Wudil, Shamsu Sule, Nasidi Ali, Chukwu Chijtoke, Ahmed Mohammed, Engr. Ahmed Rufai Timasantyu, Macdonald Michael Uyi, and Hon. Babatunde Dada.
For the SEDC, 18 nominees were confirmed. The board will be chaired by Dr. Emeka Nworgu, with Mark Okoye serving as Managing Director. Other members include Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Kzenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Chidi Echeazu, Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu (PhD), Nasiru Usman, Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, Edward David Onoja, Orure Kufre Inima, Daniel Akwari, Chief (Mrs.) Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma, Rt. Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka (E.D. Finance), Chief Sylvester Okonkwo (E.D. Corporate Services), Hon. Toby Okechukwu (E.D. Projects), Senator Anthony Agbo (E.D. Commercial and Industrial Development), and Dr. Clifford Ogbede (E.D. Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development).
During the screening, the Senate committee warned the nominees against engaging in unethical practices. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu emphasized, “We will monitor your activities closely and will not hesitate to act if you fail to serve Nigerians transparently.”
Four weeks earlier, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu submitted a revised list of nominees for the boards of the development commissions. The Senate promptly referred the list to the Ad-Hoc Committee for screening.
Following the adoption of the committee’s report, the nominees were confirmed through a voice vote. Senate President Akpabio expressed confidence in the nominees, stating, “We trust these individuals to drive development in their respective regions and fulfill their mandates diligently.”
The NWDC and SEDC are tasked with improving infrastructure and socio-economic development in their regions.