Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the newly inaugurated South-West Development Commission (SWDC) to focus on delivering visible results that improve the lives of Nigerians rather than becoming trapped in bureaucracy.
Speaking on Wednesday while receiving the management of the commission during a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shettima said the commission would be judged by the impact of its projects on the people, including the quality of roads it builds, the number of jobs it creates, the businesses it supports and the communities it transforms.
He stressed that Nigerians expect development agencies to produce measurable results and not become institutions known only for meetings, paperwork and administrative processes.
Details of the meeting were contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha.
According to the statement, the Vice President said the creation of regional development commissions by President Bola Tinubu was designed to unlock the unique strengths and economic potential of each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
He described the establishment of the commissions as a bold step that deserves public recognition because it is aimed at promoting balanced national development and ensuring that every region contributes more effectively to the country’s economic growth.
Shettima said the South-West occupies a strategic position in Nigeria because of its long history of commerce, education, innovation, manufacturing and industrial development.
He therefore challenged the leadership of the commission to build on these strengths by implementing projects that would have a direct and lasting impact on the people.
“The South-West region, with its history of enterprise, innovation, education and industry, has a pivotal role to play in Nigeria’s development journey,” the Vice President said.
“Your commission must be known for delivery, not bureaucracy. Nigerians will measure your success by the quality of roads built, jobs created, businesses supported and communities transformed.”
Shettima also linked the assignment of the commission to the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the government’s economic and governance reforms must produce practical benefits that ordinary Nigerians can see and feel.
According to him, government policies should not remain on paper but must translate into better infrastructure, improved economic opportunities and higher living standards.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is about translating policy into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians,” he said.
He further directed the commission to ensure that every project it undertakes is transparent, measurable and capable of attracting private sector investment.
According to the Vice President, sustainable development cannot be achieved through government funding alone, making it necessary to create an environment that encourages private investors to participate in regional development.
“Our job as government is to create the enabling environment for investments to thrive,” he said.
Shettima also advised the commission to work closely with state governments across the South-West instead of operating independently.
He said meaningful development requires cooperation among federal and state governments, traditional rulers, development partners and the private sector.
The Vice President warned against rivalry among government agencies, saying institutions achieve more when they work together toward common goals.
“Development succeeds when institutions collaborate, not compete,” he said.
He also encouraged the South-West Development Commission to maintain close ties with other regional development commissions across the country.
According to him, exchanging ideas and learning from one another would help improve project delivery and promote balanced development across Nigeria.
“Peer review is very important. I urge you to reach out to the other regional development commissions and share ideas that will transform the fortunes of our various regions,” Shettima said.
He urged the commission to make integrity, innovation and measurable results the foundation of all its activities.
The Vice President also assured the management that the Federal Government would continue to support every genuine effort aimed at promoting regional development, economic growth and national prosperity.
Earlier, the Chairman of the South-West Development Commission, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for creating the commission as part of broader efforts to strengthen development across the country’s geopolitical zones.
He also commended the administration for introducing economic and structural reforms that he said are laying the foundation for sustainable growth.
Adetunmbi praised Shettima for his leadership of the National Economic Council (NEC), saying the council has continued to promote stronger cooperation between the Federal Government and state governments.
He said the commission had already developed a roadmap that would guide its activities, with particular attention to infrastructure development and investment in human capital.
According to him, the commission plans to conduct a comprehensive baseline study to identify the development needs of the South-West and ensure that its interventions are properly targeted.
He explained that the study would provide reliable data for planning projects and measuring progress over time.
Adetunmbi also sought the Vice President’s support in helping the commission build a strong working relationship with state governments through the National Economic Council.
He said such cooperation would prevent duplication of projects and ensure that available resources are used efficiently.
The Managing Director of the commission, Dr. Charles Akinola, executive directors and board members representing the South-West states and geopolitical zones also attended the meeting.
The South-West Development Commission is one of several regional development agencies established by the Tinubu administration to promote faster economic and infrastructure development across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
The commissions are expected to complement existing agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC), which were created to address development challenges in their respective regions.
The Federal Government believes that regional development commissions will help address infrastructure gaps, stimulate economic activities, create employment opportunities and improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians.
The South-West, comprising Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states, is widely regarded as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse. The region contributes significantly to the country’s economy through commerce, manufacturing, agriculture, technology, education and financial services.
Lagos alone remains Nigeria’s commercial capital and hosts many of the country’s largest businesses, ports and financial institutions. Other South-West states also play important roles in agriculture, tourism, education and industrial production.
Shettima’s remarks reflect the Federal Government’s expectation that the commission should avoid the bureaucratic challenges that have affected some public institutions in the past and instead focus on delivering projects that have a direct and measurable impact on the lives of the people.
As the commission begins full operations, attention will now be on how quickly it translates its plans into concrete projects capable of driving economic growth, improving infrastructure and creating opportunities for millions of residents across the South-West.