The Senate has urged the management of the North-Central Development Commission (NCDC) to prioritise agriculture and security in its 2026 budget.
Senator Titus Zam, Chairman of the Senate Committee on NCDC, made the call on Monday as the commission appeared before the committee to defend its 2026 budget estimates.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the session began with a closed-door meeting to review the commission’s budget, after which Zam said the committee found the budget items relevant and useful for the North-Central region.
“As a committee overseeing this commission, we have requested them to prioritise their expenditures in line with their mandate so that the people of the North-Central region will benefit and have value for the resources allocated to them,” Zam said.
He noted that the commission’s mandate must address key sectors of the economy, including agriculture, security, health, education, public infrastructure, and other social services. “You know that North-Central is mostly agricultural, so agriculture must take pride of place, and it has been embedded in their budget,” he added.
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Zam also highlighted plans for the commission to collaborate with security experts and other stakeholders to support security agencies in the region.
However, he expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 budget, describing it as a national challenge affecting multiple agencies.
The committee approved a total estimate of ₦140 billion for the NCDC for the 2026 financial year, urging that the funds be appropriated and utilised effectively for the benefit of the North-Central region.
“This is the resolution of the committee,” Zam said.