The Vice President says the new commission must focus on roads, jobs, business growth and transformed communities rather than bureaucratic processes

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the newly constituted South-West Development Commission to prioritise measurable development outcomes, saying its success should be judged by the quality of roads built, jobs created, businesses supported and communities transformed.

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Shettima made the call on Wednesday when he received the management of the South-West Development Commission, led by its Chairman, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The Vice President said the creation of regional development commissions was driven by the need to unlock the distinctive economic and human potential of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones and harness their strengths for national prosperity.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as the foresight behind the establishment of the new regional development bodies, stressing that the South-West had a pivotal role to play in the country’s development because of its long-standing contributions to enterprise, innovation, education and industry.

“The South-West region, with its history of enterprise, innovation, education and industry, has a pivotal role to play in Nigeria’s development journey,” Shettima said.

He urged the commission to avoid becoming weighed down by administrative processes, insisting that Nigerians would ultimately judge it by the tangible impact of its interventions.

“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,” he said.

Shettima said the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda was ultimately about turning policies into practical improvements in the lives of citizens.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is about translating policy into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians,” he said.

He further urged the commission to ensure that its projects were transparent, measurable and structured in ways that could attract private investment.

“Every project must be transparent, measurable and capable of attracting private investment. Our job as government is to create the enabling environment for investments to thrive,” the Vice President added.

The call reflects the administration’s broader emphasis on regional development as a means of addressing infrastructure gaps, strengthening local economies and improving opportunities for citizens across the country.

Shettima also stressed the importance of collaboration, urging the commission to establish strong working relationships with South-West state governments, traditional institutions, private businesses and development partners.

He cautioned the new body against viewing other regional development commissions as competitors, instead encouraging cooperation and the exchange of ideas.

“Across the world, successful regions are those that invest in innovation, human capital, technology and regional integration,” he said.

“The South-West is well-positioned to lead Nigeria in these areas. Development succeeds when institutions collaborate, not compete.”

The Vice President also encouraged the commission to engage with other regional development bodies and learn from their experiences.

“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,” he said.

Shettima urged the commission’s management to make integrity, innovation and measurable results central to its operations, while reaffirming the Federal Government’s readiness to support genuine efforts aimed at advancing regional development and national prosperity.

Earlier, Adetunmbi commended the Tinubu administration’s economic and structural reforms, particularly the decision to establish regional development commissions.

He also praised Shettima’s leadership of the National Economic Council, saying it had contributed to efforts to improve governance and development outcomes at the subnational level.

Adetunmbi briefed the Vice President on the commission’s proposed roadmap, which will focus on interventions in infrastructure and human capital development.

He disclosed that the commission planned to conduct a baseline study to identify development needs and provide a stronger foundation for its programmes and projects.

The commission chairman also sought Shettima’s guidance on how to work effectively with state governments through the National Economic Council, with the aim of avoiding duplication of projects and ensuring that development interventions complement existing efforts.

The delegation included the commission’s Managing Director, Dr Charles Akinola, executive directors and board members representing states and geopolitical interests within the South-West.

The South-West Development Commission is among the regional development bodies established under the Tinubu administration to complement existing institutions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission and the North East Development Commission.

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For the new commission, the Vice President’s message sets a clear expectation: its legacy will depend less on the volume of meetings, reports and administrative procedures it generates and more on the visible improvements its work delivers to people and communities across the region.