The chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and governor of Gombe state, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, has called for a decisive overhaul of the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC), warning that the regional investment body must urgently reposition itself to address the economic realities of the northern part of the country or risk becoming irrelevant.
The position was contained in a statement issued Friday by the Director-General of Press Affairs, Government House, Gombe, Ismaila Uba Misilli.
Speaking at the end of a two-day retreat organised by the board and management of NNDC in Abuja, the governor struck a firm tone, stressing that the time for rhetoric had passed and must give way to concrete, results-driven action.
Represented by the Director-General of the NSGF, Ezekiel Gomos, Yahaya said NNDC remained too vital to the North’s economic future to continue operating below its potential.
He highlighted the region’s mounting challenges, including rising unemployment, economic hardship, insecurity and declining investor confidence, noting that institutions like NNDC must now take the lead in driving recovery and growth.
According to him, the company can still evolve into a catalyst for economic transformation if its leadership embraces bold reforms, strategic thinking and disciplined execution.
He urged the organisation to return to its founding vision as a dynamic economic vehicle for Northern Nigeria, rather than functioning as what he described as a passive legacy institution.
The governor also stressed that shareholders expect innovation, commercially viable investments and sustainable growth, not internal disputes or recurring dependence on intervention funds.
Yahaya further challenged NNDC to tap into emerging opportunities in the digital economy, particularly in ICT, fintech and innovation-driven enterprises, arguing that failure to invest in technology would amount to missing a critical generational opportunity for millions of young people in the region.
Calling for a pragmatic reassessment of the company’s structure and operations, he said all options must be considered, including restructuring, strategic partnerships, repositioning or even divestment where necessary.
The NSGF chairman drew a clear link between economic performance and security, warning that lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved without expanding job opportunities and strengthening economic inclusion.
He insisted that NNDC must move beyond asset management to become a profit-driven enterprise capable of creating jobs, boosting productivity and restoring public confidence.
Other speakers at the retreat included the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Malam Tanimu Yakubu, and a former Group Managing Director of NNDC, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, and ex-Chief Executive Officer of FSB International Bank.
Chairing a session titled “Reliving the Vision of Our Heroes’ Past: Sustaining the Legacy and Purpose of Our Founder into the Future,” Hayatu-Deen emphasised the need for tough, strategic decisions to reposition the company for long-term relevance and impact.
