By Israel Adamu, Jos
The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has assured Nigerians, particularly residents of the North Central geopolitical zone, that it will utilize its budgetary allocations transparently and prudently.
This reassurance was contained in a statement issued by the Commission on Saturday in Jos, following media reports on its 2025 budget estimates currently under review by the National Assembly. The Commission disclosed that it submitted a ₦140 billion budget proposal to the Senate Committee overseeing its activities as part of its full takeoff, being barely one month into operation.“
On September 30, 2025, the Commission’s management appeared before the Senate to defend the proposal and had a robust session where members of the Senate Committee scrutinized the estimates and received clarifications,” the statement read. According to the NCDC, the Senate Committee made observations and adjustments after both open and closed sessions. The proposal was then approved pending concurrence by the House of Representatives Committee on NCDC before final passage.The Commission clarified that while the ₦140 billion budget ceiling was retained, figures cited in some media reports did not reflect the adjustments made during deliberations, which will appear in the final document.“
The 2025 budget proposal remains a working document still in process. The final approval will only be clear when the House Committee carries out its legislative scrutiny and concurs with the Senate, after which accurate figures and line items will be authenticated and released,” it added. The Commission emphasized its commitment to transparency, accountability, and adherence to national financial regulations, promising that projects will be based on equity, inclusivity, and thorough needs assessment across all North Central states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
