The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, has called for the urgent transformation of the New Nigeria Development Company, declaring that the regional investment body must rise to meet the economic realities facing Northern Nigeria or risk irrelevance.
Speaking at the close of a two-day retreat organised by the Board and Management of the NNDC in Abuja, the governor set a clear tone, emphasising that the era of talk must give way to decisive action.
Yahaya, represented by the Director-General of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Ezekiel Gomos, stressed that NNDC remains too critical to the North’s economic future to continue operating below its potential.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli, on Friday.
He painted a stark picture of the challenges confronting Northern Nigeria, “such as rising unemployment, economic strain, insecurityand weakening investor confidence, institutions like NNDC must now serve as engines of recovery,” the statement partly read.
The NSGF Chairman expressed optimism that NNDC can become a true catalyst for economic revival in the North if the Board and Management demonstrate bold thinking, decisive leadership and consistent execution.
He challenged NNDC to rediscover its founding purpose as a strategic economic vehicle for Northern Nigeria, rather than functioning as a passive legacy institution.
He emphasised that shareholders expect innovation, adding “growth-oriented thinking and commercially viable investments, not internal disputes or repeated demands for intervention funds.”
Yahaya urged NNDC to aggressively embrace the digital economy, “opportunities in ICT, fintech, and innovation-driven enterprises.With millions of young people across the North possessing untapped entrepreneurial potential.”
The governor argued that failure to invest in technology-driven sectors would amount to missing a generational opportunity.
The governor called for a “hard-nosed” and strategic reassessment, making it clear that sentiment must not stand in the way of profitability.
He pointed out options on the table to include restructuring, partnerships, repositioning, or outright divestment.
Linking economy to stability
Yahaya drew a direct connection between economic performance and regional stability, adding that “insecurity cannot be addressed without creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities.”
He insisted that NNDC must go beyond asset management to become a profit-driven institution capable of generating employment, boosting productivity, and restoring hope.
Meanwhile, NNDC signalled a major strategic reset, with its chairman, Lamis Dikko, reaffirming plans to reinvent the company and reposition it as a more effective holding company.
Other speakers included Tanimu Yakubu, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a former Group Managing Director of NNDC and former CEO of FSB International Bank.
While chairing a session entitled, “Reliving the Vision of our Hero’s Past: Sustaining the Legacy and Purpose of our Founder into the Future,” Mohammed Hayatu-Deen stressed that hard decisions would need to be taken to bring the company back on track.