The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its strategic partnership with the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the region’s primary socio-cultural and political body, signaling a unified front in the push for infrastructure and civic stability in Nigeria’s oil-rich south.
During a high-level meeting at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Alabo Boma Iyaye, the Commission’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration, characterized PANDEF as the essential “voice of the Niger Delta people.”
He emphasized that the Commission’s success is intrinsically linked to its ability to collaborate with regional stakeholders.
The meeting comes at a pivotal moment for the Commission. Mr. Iyaye noted that 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the NDDC, an era defined by a renewed push to finalize “legacy projects” across the region. These efforts, he stated, are in direct alignment with the developmental directives issued by President Bola Tinubu.
”The NDDC is determined to complete its significant projects to ensure a lasting impact on our communities,” Mr. Iyaye told the delegation.
He specifically commended PANDEF’s National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, for his consistent advocacy for regional interests.
The PANDEF delegation, led by National Secretary Mrs. Ifeoma Agboma, praised the current NDDC management under Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku. Mrs. Agboma highlighted that recent programs have begun to move the needle on human capital development and local infrastructure.
However, the core of her message focused on social cohesion.
“Unity is critical to the development of the region,” Mrs. Agboma said, urging for continued solidarity among the various ethnic and political groups within the Niger Delta.
She argued that a fragmented region struggles to negotiate for its fair share of national resources, whereas a united front has historically yielded the best results for its citizens.
As the NDDC prepares for its silver jubilee celebrations later this year—which will include the commissioning of several long-awaited projects—the strengthening of ties with PANDEF suggests a shift toward a more integrated approach to governance in one of Nigeria’s most complex and vital territories.
