President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to intensify its efforts in steering the youths of the Niger Delta away from violence and militancy towards productive ventures that promote peace, development, and national growth.
Speaking through his representative, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, at the 2025 NDDC Retreat held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday, July 12, President Tinubu emphasized that the commission has a critical role to play in stabilizing the region by empowering the youth with the right tools, skills, and opportunities.
He noted that while the Niger Delta has witnessed significant investments over the years, insecurity and youth restiveness remain persistent obstacles to sustainable progress. According to the President, addressing these issues requires not just infrastructure, but also human capital development tailored toward long-term peace and economic inclusion.
“The time has come for the NDDC to strengthen its interventions and ensure that our young people are meaningfully engaged,” Tinubu said. “You must deepen your partnerships with relevant agencies and stakeholders to create avenues for training, employment, and enterprise that will make militancy unattractive.”
President Tinubu also charged the NDDC to align its projects with the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, stressing transparency, community impact, and measurable outcomes as key priorities.
In his remarks, NDDC Managing Director Samuel Ogbuku assured the President that the commission was already working to reorient Niger Delta youths through skills acquisition programmes, entrepreneurship initiatives, and peace-building campaigns across the nine oil-producing states.
Stakeholders at the retreat agreed on the need for a more inclusive strategy that prioritizes youth engagement and security as essential elements of the region’s long-term development.
