Ministry of Niger Delta renamed not scrapped _ Presidency

The recent renaming of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development to the Ministry of Regional Development has sparked mixed reactions, particularly among Niger Delta leaders and activists who have voiced their opposition. Elder Statesman Chief Edwin Clark expressed that the Niger Delta community would not accept this change and urged President Bola Tinubu to clarify the reasons behind it. He alleged that the federal government intended to redirect resources from the South-South region to support other development commissions.

After a Federal Executive Council meeting, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, stated that the ministry was not abolished but renamed. The new Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, emphasized that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) remains intact and will continue to operate under the new ministry. He reassured that the core functions and structures of the Niger Delta remain unchanged, describing the shift as merely a change in name with expanded responsibilities. He encouraged the Niger Delta population not to feel that the ministry’s functions have been diminished.