South-South, South-West, North-Central Development Commissions Get Legal Backing For More Directors

The Nigerian Senate has successfully amended the Acts establishing the South-South, South-West, and North-Central Development Commissions, paving the way for the appointment of additional Executive Directors to bolster administrative efficiency within the regional bodies.

The amendments, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), were presented as three separate bills:

The bills underwent first, second, and third readings before being passed on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Senator Bamidele explained that the amendments are aimed at resolving administrative gaps within the Acts, particularly concerning the appointment of Executive Directors. He noted that the existing structure lacked uniformity compared to other regional bodies, such as the North-West and South-East Development Commissions.

“The bills seek to amend the respective provisions to reconcile the lacuna that exists in the Acts relating to the appointments of the Executive Directors of the respective Commissions, to ensure uniformity,” Bamidele stated.

He further emphasized that although the initial versions of the Acts were passed earlier this year, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, and already implemented, it became evident during execution that more Executive Directors were needed to lead various departments within the commissions and to effectively meet their developmental mandates.

“With the benefit of hindsight, it was observed that there is a need to make provision for more Executive Directors to head the various departments of the commissions,” he added.