The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has opened talks with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to build a strategic partnership for delivering major programmes in its mandate. A delegation led by Prof. Mohammad Bashar Nuhu, Executive Director of Finance and representative of Managing Director/CEO Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, visited GIZ’s Abuja office for the engagement.
Prof. Nuhu said the NCDC is currently laying the foundation for its operations and stressed the value of working closely with established development partners. He noted that GIZ has a proven track record in supporting development efforts in Nigeria and beyond. According to him, the Commission was established under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fast-track growth across the North Central region. He highlighted priority areas such as agriculture, mineral development, infrastructure, power and renewable energy, peace and social cohesion, entrepreneurship, as well as youth and women empowerment.
Other top officials on the visit included James Abel Uloko, Executive Director of Corporate Services, Princess Atika Ajanah, Executive Director of Projects, and Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim, Executive Director of Commercial and Industrial Development. They expressed confidence that a partnership with GIZ would strengthen the Commission’s capacity to deliver, especially in job creation, economic development, and addressing security challenges in the region.
Welcoming the delegation at the Sustainable Economic Development Cluster Centre, Kikelomo Collins Chibeze, Head of Component for Policy Strategy and Dialogue, described the creation of the Commission as timely. She said it holds major potential to transform communities across North Central states.
Chibeze highlighted GIZ’s ongoing programmes in Niger, Plateau, Nasarawa, and the FCT, focusing on peace and security, entrepreneurship, sustainable economic growth, youth empowerment, and job creation. The GIZ team pledged commitment to continued engagements to build the emerging partnership.
