NBA Confab: NDDC boss advocates diversification of Niger Delta economy

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is urging increased investment in agriculture and other sustainable sectors to secure the region's future, moving away from its long-standing dependence on oil. Speaking at the Nigeria Bar Association's 66th Annual General Conference, NDDC Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku highlighted the need for stakeholders to consider the region's post-oil economy and identify areas where Niger Deltans can exercise greater control.

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Data remains a critical component of resource control. Without accurate information on what the Niger Delta produces, it would be difficult to determine what it is entitled to receive.

Ogbuku emphasized that controlling data is crucial for resource allocation. "If we do not control the data, we do not know what we produce; we do not know what is to come to us," he stated, underscoring the importance of self-determination in the region's economic future. He identified agriculture as a key area within the region's control, predicting that increased investment would boost food security, create jobs, and provide sustainable livelihoods for women and youth.

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If we do not control the data, we do not know what we produce; we do not know what is to come to us. We need to put the future into our own hands.

The NDDC is undergoing a deliberate transition from "transaction to transformation," according to Paul Emerhana, a representative of the NDDC legal team. This shift is driven by institutional reforms, digitalization, and sustainable development initiatives. Emerhana cited the commission's solar street-lighting projects as an example of interventions with environmental, social, and developmental benefits, noting their role in reducing reliance on conventional energy and improving security.

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The digital transformation agenda of the Commission is consistent with the policy direction of the present administration and has extended to youth development, with the Commission providing training in Artificial Intelligence and other digital skills to young people across the Niger Delta.

Furthermore, the NDDC is embracing digital transformation, having automated its contract management processes, becoming the first agency to do so. This agenda aligns with the current administration's policy direction and extends to youth development through training in Artificial Intelligence and other digital skills. The commission views investment in youth as an investment in the region's future, equipping them for the emerging digital economy. The establishment of a Corporate Governance Department is also part of these reforms.

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The Commission is investing in youths because they represent the region’s future; equipping them with relevant digital skills would improve their ability to participate in the emerging digital economy.