The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is seeking to establish partnerships with the United Nations and its affiliated agencies, particularly in securing technical support and expert services aimed at advancing development in the Niger Delta region.
During a courtesy visit to the UN regional office in Abuja, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, led members of the Commission’s Executive Management to present the agency’s intention to collaborate with the global organisation. He made it clear that both the Commission and the state governments within the Niger Delta could not single-handedly drive the development goals needed to transform the region.
Dr Ogbuku explained that the NDDC is keen to engage with the United Nations because of its expansive international presence and access to a broad network of resources and partner organisations.
He proposed joint efforts to provide potable and affordable drinking water across Niger Delta communities, powered by high-tech solar generators as a sustainable energy source.
Drawing attention to the long-standing environmental degradation in the region caused by oil exploration, Ogbuku called on the United Nations to support the reforestation of the mangrove swamps. He said restoring the mangroves would be a critical step toward reversing environmental damage and protecting the region’s fragile ecosystem.
Stressing the advantages of renewable energy, Ogbuku noted that solar street lighting projects had already made a significant impact in many communities across the region. He requested UN support in expanding these efforts by bringing solar-powered energy directly into homes.
“Apart from the solar streetlights, we can also explore the possibility of deploying solar mini-grids to serve as energy sources within homes across Niger Delta communities,” Ogbuku said. “This would not only improve quality of life but also stimulate local trade and economic activity.”
He also sought deeper collaboration with the UN in sectors such as health, education, youth training, gender empowerment, and food security. According to Ogbuku, these areas require strategic intervention to improve the social and economic well-being of the people.
Responding to the visit, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC) in Nigeria, His Excellency Mohamed Malick Fall, expressed the UN’s readiness to work with the NDDC to fast-track development initiatives in the Niger Delta.
“We want to look at the Niger Delta in the context of accelerated development, not just in isolation as a region affected by environmental pollution,” Fall said.
He explained that the UN’s approach would align with six transition partnership frameworks, which include priorities such as food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy.
Listing these focal areas, the UN envoy described them as an entry point for broader engagement, explaining that the Commission’s goals resonate strongly with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He said these shared objectives can positively influence many aspects of life for the people in the Niger Delta.
Acknowledging the region’s contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth, Fall said the Niger Delta deserves international attention and affirmed the UN’s commitment to deeper, more fruitful collaboration with the NDDC in the months ahead.
