Congratulatory messages are still pouring in since the appointment of Ms Usoro Akpabio as the pioneer Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the newly created South-South Development Commission (SSDC). But beneath the excitement lie big questions and great expectations.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Ms Usoro Offiong Akpabio as the pioneer Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the newly created South-South Development Commission (SSDC) on May 8, 2025. SSDC is among the latest five such commissions created by this administration. On the ground already was the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), created in 2017 by the defunct administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Other regional commissions established by the Tinubu government are: South-East Development Commission (SEDC); South-West Development Commission (SWDC); North-West Development Commission (NWDC); and North Central Development Commission (NCDC). Every geopolitical zone of the country can now boast of its regional commission.
Supervising Ministry: The Presidency also created the Ministry of Regional Development, headed by Engr. Abubakah Momoh (Edo State), as a minister. With him is His Excellency, Uba Maigari Agmadu (Taraba), as minister of state. The permanent secretary in that ministry is Dr Mary Ada Ogbe.
Oversight Committee: Sen. Benson Konbowei (Bayelsa Central) is the chairman of, Senate’s House Committee on South-South Development Commission. He is a former speaker and former secretary to the Government of Bayelsa State. He is deputised by Sen. Asukwo Ekpenyong (Cross River South). The oversight committee also has Onowakpo Joel (Delta South); Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East); Neda Imasuen (Edo South); Allwell Onyesoh (Rivers East); and Ekong Sampson (Akwa Ibom South). Others include Samaila Kaila (Bauchi North); Mjustapha Musa (Yobe East); Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North); Idiat Adebule (Lagos West); and Mustapha Saliu (Kwara Central).
SSDC’s Mandate: The SSDC was created under the South-South Development (Establishment) Act.
It is mandated to drive the socio-economic development of the South-South region. Its core functions, amongst others, include receiving and managing funds allocated from the Federation Account to accelerate development, tackle ecological problems, and address other related environmental and developmental challenges peculiar to the South-South. It also has the responsibility of formulating and executing plans, programmes and initiatives as well as coordinating the activities of various stakeholders, including agencies, communities and donors. The commission enjoys 15 per cent of the total monthly statutory allocations due to member states of the commission from the Federation Account.
Related: Emerging Development Commissions And A Threatening Past
Moreover, of its related powers and operations, Section 1(1) of the legal framework of the Act states: “The Commission shall be a corporate body with perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue or be sued in its corporate name”. Section 4 adds, “Subject to provisions of Section 3 of this Act, a member of the Board, other than an ex-officio member, shall hold office for a term of four years at the first instance and may be re-appointed for further term of four years and no more”. According to Section 5: “The Office of the Chairman and Managing Director shall rotate among the member states of the Commission, where every member state shall be given equal opportunity.”
SSDC Board: The new MD/CEO is to work with former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche (Rivers State), as chairman, alongside 13 other board members, including Larry Odey (Cross River); Charles Zuofa (Bayelsa); Dr Nkereuwem Ebong (Akwa Ibom); Chika Chinedu (Rivers); Femi Oise (Edo); and Dr Charles Sylvester Enukhowhate (Delta). Others are Tabotha IIiya (North-East), Yusuf Rasag Amao (North Central), Joseph Mmamal (South-East), and Bukonola Braimoh (South-West).
There are five executive directors: Marcus Nie – Projects (Rivers), Aganaba Preye Steven – Social and Human Capital Development (Bayelsa), Dr Timi Alari Ayibatonye – Corporate Services (Delta), Joseph Ugheoke – Commercial and Environmental Development (Edo), and Sony Abang – Finance (Cross River). Controversy had trailed the appointment of Tijani Kaura (North-West), who was dropped after he failed to submit basic requirements but was given another chance.
Usoro in the Centrespread: Usoro hails from Mbiaya in the Uruan Local Government of Akwa Ibom State. She holds a degree in Political Science. She began her career as a policy analyst in one of the government ministries in Akwa Ibom State, a backdrop upon which she has built a profile as a political strategist, community development advocate and a resource person to many organisations. In 2019, she received the African Achievers Award in celebration of her impact in energy and education. She is therefore seen as an astute administrator with approvable service delivery acumen.
The Expectations: For some reasons, it must be admitted without prejudice to her cumulative experience that Usoro is coming into an entirely new office, different from those she has held previously. This is with regard to geography, mandate, aggregate expectations, and attendant challenges the area is known for. She is administering a region that has never been short of critiques on the good, the bad, the ugly, and was ever ready to take anybody to the cleaners if events demanded.
This is understandable from the standpoint of history and antecedents of leadership and management of the region by bona fide indigenes in strategic positions. Conversely, in terms of accountability and performance, it appears managers of sister commissions in the country have taken so much after or copied considerably from the NDDC. It has been described as a conduit pipe for privileged politicians, an automated teller machine (ATM) for cronies and proxies from the corridors of power, and, at the worst, a failed initiative that has grossly deviated from the grand vision and objectives of the founding fathers.
Take, for instance, the North-East Development Commission, a precursor to its kind in the country is headed by Major-General Paul C. Tarfa, following his reappointment in 2023. From inception some nine years ago, it is no exaggeration to assert that the NEDC has scarcely been free of damning allegations of mismanagement and associated impropriety in the form of self-aggrandisement, fictitious contract awards, nepotism, cronyism, and above all, a lack of focus that has resulted in questionable performance.
This is a syndrome Miss Akpabio must be wary of. The need for her to perform can be traced to the fact that she is sitting on gunpowder of envy from other zones for a zone stupendously naturally endowed with material and human resources. Yet, the dominant perception, and truly so, is that there has been nothing commensurate or tangible to show in consequence. It must be stressed that each state under the commission shares both general and peculiar needs that must be looked into objectively and fairly with a view to providing solutions.
It implies further that, apart from the trust in her capacity complemented by cognate experience and interdisciplinary global exposure, and the fact that her appointment is an instructive response to gender inclusion by the Renewed Hope Agenda, Usoro is on a scale. It becomes even more so for those who cannot forget the sacked former minister of humanitarian affairs, Beta Edu, who was also from the South-South.
Again, Usoro now deservedly holds the record of a pathfinder, being the first and only woman to head any regional commission of the present nomenclature. She is as fresh to the office as fresh butter on bread straight from the oven, sitting on seething challenges she surely shall have to grapple with to justify her appointment.
Without any pessimism, History and Law and the Future demand that Usoro be particularly prudent and circumspect. Deliberations by the National Assembly to invoke the protective grace of immunity on the executive members of SSDC by the provisions of Section 23 of the SSDC Bill were struck out sine die. So while she has immunity, there is no immunity for her in matters of malfeasance for the period she’ll be in office.
That’s why the questions on many tongues have been about what’s new the trailblazer shall bring to the discourse, for a change that could change mindsets and perceptions and position her on the track of honour in contrasting reference to what has been. Especially considering that the office of the MD/CEO is rotational, Usoro’s performance shall provide firsthand indices for comparative analysis in the unfolding years.
Will she justify the high regard for her capacity, huge expectations, and the infectious excitement on the crest of her meritorious appointment? Or will she give public opinion more to talk about in the negative? Let’s trust Usoro won’t take history and expectations of the people for granted. She will deliver. Her time had since started counting even as we wait….!
