The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has urged stakeholders to expand investment in agriculture and other sustainable sectors as part of efforts to build a more resilient future for the region.
Speaking at a Resource Control session during the Nigerian Bar Association’s 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the region must begin preparing for a future in which oil no longer dominates its economy.
Ogbuku acknowledged the significant contribution of oil to Nigeria’s development but argued that continued dependence on petroleum resources could not provide a sustainable long-term solution for the Niger Delta.
Data Identified as Key to Resource Control
According to the NDDC managing director, meaningful resource control begins with accurate information about what the region produces.
He stressed that without reliable data, Niger Delta communities and stakeholders would struggle to establish what resources are being generated from the region and what benefits should accrue to it.
Ogbuku called for stronger local ownership of information and economic planning, urging stakeholders to take greater responsibility for determining the region’s future.
He said the Niger Delta must know exactly what it produces before it can effectively demand or negotiate what should return to the region.
Agriculture Seen as a Sustainable Economic Alternative
Ogbuku singled out agriculture as one of the sectors in which the Niger Delta can exercise greater control while reducing its dependence on crude oil.
He argued that greater investment in farming and related activities could improve food security while creating jobs and sustainable sources of income, particularly for women and young people.
The push for agricultural development also reflects the need to broaden the region’s economic base and create opportunities that can continue to generate value beyond the lifespan of oil production.
NDDC Shifts Focus From Transactions to Transformation
The conference also examined the Commission’s approach to development and environmental intervention.
Paul Emerhana, a member of the NDDC legal team, said the Commission was deliberately moving away from a model focused primarily on transactions towards what he described as “transaction to transformation.”
He attributed the shift to institutional reforms, digitalisation and a stronger emphasis on sustainable development.
According to Emerhana, the objective is to ensure that NDDC interventions deliver lasting benefits rather than short-term improvements.
Solar Projects Highlighted as Sustainable Interventions
Emerhana pointed to the Commission’s solar street-lighting projects as an example of initiatives designed to combine environmental, social and developmental objectives.
He said the projects had helped reduce reliance on conventional sources of electricity while contributing to improved security in communities through better lighting.
The example was presented as part of the Commission’s wider effort to ensure that infrastructure projects provide benefits that extend beyond their immediate physical purpose.
Digitalisation Reshapes NDDC Operations
The Commission’s digital transformation programme was another major area highlighted during the conference.
Emerhana said the NDDC had automated its contract management processes as part of efforts to improve efficiency and strengthen institutional operations, describing the Commission as the first agency to fully automate its contract processes.
He added that digitalisation had also become an important part of the Commission’s youth development strategy.
Young People Targeted for Digital Economy Opportunities
According to the NDDC representative, the Commission has expanded training opportunities in artificial intelligence and other digital skills for young people across the Niger Delta.
He explained that investing in young people was critical because they represent the region’s future workforce and entrepreneurs.
The Commission believes that equipping youths with relevant technological skills will improve their ability to participate in the rapidly expanding digital economy and create new avenues for employment and enterprise.
Governance Reforms Take Centre Stage
Emerhana also disclosed that the NDDC had established a Corporate Governance Department as part of its institutional reform programme.
The department is expected to reinforce accountability, strengthen governance structures and promote the long-term sustainability of the Commission’s operations.
The reforms are intended to ensure that development programmes are implemented within stronger institutional frameworks and that resources are managed with greater transparency and accountability.
ESG Principles Linked to Long-Term Community Benefits
The NDDC legal team member further stressed the importance of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles in the Commission’s development agenda.
He said applying ESG standards would help ensure that projects consider their environmental and social consequences while delivering lasting value to beneficiary communities.
The approach is designed to make sure that NDDC projects remain useful and beneficial well beyond their formal completion.
Environmental Remediation Faces Accountability Questions
Environmental remediation also featured prominently in the Resource Control discussion, with panellists questioning how decisions are made over which areas and individuals qualify for remediation.
They also raised concerns about the systems used to verify whether remediation efforts have actually achieved their intended environmental outcomes.
The questions highlight the broader challenge of ensuring that interventions in the oil-producing region are measurable, transparent and capable of producing lasting environmental improvements.
NDDC Leadership Honoured at NBA Conference
The Commission’s contribution to the development of the Niger Delta was recognised at the conference, where awards were presented to NDDC Board Chairman, Mr Chiedu Ebie, and Managing Director Dr Samuel Ogbuku.
The recognition came as discussions at the gathering focused on resource control, governance, environmental responsibility and the need for the Niger Delta to build a more sustainable economic future.
What’s Next?
The NDDC’s renewed emphasis on agriculture, digital skills, institutional reform and sustainable infrastructure suggests a broader development strategy aimed at reducing the region’s vulnerability to fluctuations in the oil economy.
For the Niger Delta, the challenge will be translating these initiatives into measurable improvements in livelihoods, environmental conditions, employment and economic opportunities while strengthening local participation in decisions over the region’s resources.
Summary
The NDDC has called for a shift towards sustainable development as the Niger Delta confronts the long-term limitations of oil dependence.
Dr Samuel Ogbuku stressed the importance of accurate resource data and increased agricultural investment, while the Commission’s legal team highlighted digitalisation, youth training, governance reforms, renewable-energy projects and ESG principles as key elements of its transformation agenda.
The message from the conference was clear: securing the Niger Delta’s future will require more than managing its oil resources.
It will depend increasingly on how effectively the region develops its people, diversifies its economy and ensures that development projects create lasting value for its communities.
