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By Tracy Moses
The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has provided further clarification on its proposed ₦140 billion 2025 budget, stating that the figures currently in circulation are provisional and subject to change as legislative review continues.
The clarification comes amid media reports on the budget estimates presented to the Senate Committee on NCDC. The Commission, which was formally inaugurated on September 5, 2025, described the proposal as a crucial step in its operational rollout as a new intervention body focused on accelerating development across the North Central region.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by James Uloko, Executive Director of Corporate Services at NCDC, the Commission confirmed that its management team had appeared before the Senate on September 30, 2025, to defend the ₦140 billion proposal. According to Uloko, the interactive budget session involved “rigorous scrutiny, constructive feedback, and extensive clarifications” from lawmakers.
“During our engagement with the Senate Committee, we presented a detailed breakdown of our proposed allocations and explained the strategic priorities that guided them,” Uloko said. “The Committee, in turn, offered valuable input, made some adjustments, and gave an initial nod to the framework, but this is by no means the final stage of the process.”
He emphasised that while the overall envelope of ₦140 billion remains intact, the internal allocation structure will continue to evolve as legislative scrutiny deepens. “It is crucial for the public to understand that some figures reported in the media do not reflect the most recent revisions made during the review process,” he explained. “Those adjustments will only appear in the final version once both chambers of the National Assembly complete their work.”
Uloko further noted that the House of Representatives Committee on NCDC is expected to conduct its own round of budget review and harmonisation before any final legislative approval is given. “The National Assembly process is deliberate and thorough,” he added. “Our proposal remains a working document until it is passed into law and integrated into the national budget cycle.”
Reassuring the public about the Commission’s approach, Uloko reiterated NCDC’s commitment to “transparency, accountability, and full compliance with Nigeria’s public finance regulations.”
“We understand the public interest in this process and welcome the scrutiny,” he said. “Our priority is to ensure that every naira allocated to the North Central region delivers maximum impact and contributes to sustainable development.”
He also highlighted that NCDC will prioritise “inclusive planning, equitable distribution, and broad-based consultation” as it moves towards implementation. “We are conducting comprehensive needs assessments and engaging stakeholders across all six states and the FCT to ensure that our interventions address real challenges and create meaningful impact,” Uloko stated.
According to him, the Commission’s overarching vision is to transform the region through strategic infrastructure development, social investments, and economic empowerment initiatives tailored to the unique needs of North Central communities.