President Bola Tinubu has issued a firm directive to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to complete several long-abandoned infrastructure projects critical to the growth and economic viability of the Niger Delta region.

Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the 25th anniversary plenary session of the NDDC in Port Harcourt on Saturday, President Tinubu described the region as “the goose that lays the golden egg”, reaffirming its strategic economic significance to Nigeria.

The President emphasized that the recently inaugurated 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is poised to complement and serve as a viable alternative to the East-West Road, creating vast trade and investment opportunities across the hydrocarbon-rich belt of the region. He also stressed the urgent need for the NDDC to realign its focus toward legacy projects that will yield long-term value.

President Tinubu disclosed that he has directed the NDDC board, through the Minister of Regional Development, to ensure the completion and delivery of critical infrastructure projects including the:

Kaa-Ataba Bridge,

Okrika-Borokiri Bridge,

Bonny Ring Road,

Gbaregolo Roads and Bridges, and

Sampou Roads and Bridges along the East-West axis.


These projects, he said, are crucial to enhancing mobility, economic productivity, and regional integration in the Niger Delta.

“The completion of these projects is non-negotiable. The people of the Niger Delta deserve functional infrastructure, not endless promises,” Tinubu stated.


In addition to infrastructure, President Tinubu called on the NDDC to prioritise human capital development. He commended the agency’s “Light Up the Niger Delta” initiative for improving security, boosting nightlife, and extending commercial activities in rural communities.

“Projects that directly touch the lives of ordinary people must be central to your mandate. Infrastructure is important, but without human capital, progress is incomplete,” he said.

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who also spoke at the event, urged the NDDC to shift away from short-term, politically motivated contracts toward lasting developmental infrastructure. He warned that frequent changes in leadership had stifled the commission’s effectiveness.

“In 25 years, the NDDC has had over 11 CEOs. We need continuity and focus. Let legacy projects define the next 25 years,” Jonathan said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio echoed similar concerns, revealing how systemic inefficiencies have plagued the commission. He disclosed that the NDDC paid N300 million annually for office rent without connecting to the national electricity grid—opting instead for expensive diesel contracts.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, added a global perspective to the discussion, stating that over ₦7 trillion had been invested in the NDDC since its inception. She challenged the commission to deliver tangible results.

“How many durable roads have been built? The Niger Delta still ranks poorly on human development indicators. This must change,” she said.



In his response, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, acknowledged past shortcomings but promised a new era of transparency, collaboration, and impact-driven policies.

“We are redefining our future through strategic partnerships—with international oil companies, host communities, and traditional institutions. We will not be defined by past failures,” Ogbuku said.

President Tinubu’s directive comes at a crucial time, as the Niger Delta struggles with decades of environmental degradation, underdevelopment, and governance challenges. With a renewed national spotlight and strategic push for results, many observers see a rare opportunity for the NDDC to recalibrate and deliver the kind of progress that has eluded the region for years.

However, civil society organizations and regional stakeholders stress that implementation, not declarations, will determine the success of Tinubu’s directive.

Unless the NDDC and federal authorities follow through with transparent project execution, the latest promises may risk being consigned to the long list of broken pledges to the Niger Delta.