By Tony Iji

The establishment of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) marks a defining moment in Nigeria’s quest to promote balanced regional development. For decades, the North Central geopolitical zone—comprising Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)—has remained a region of enormous agricultural, mineral, tourism, and human potential, yet burdened by insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, environmental degradation, unemployment, and recurring communal conflicts. Today, there is renewed optimism that the region’s fortunes are set for a historic turnaround with the establishment of the commission.

At the centre of this new beginning is Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, the pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the North Central Development Commission, whose leadership, backed by an accomplished Governing Board and experienced management team, is laying the foundation for what many believe will become one of Nigeria’s most impactful regional development institutions.

The North Central Development Commission was established through the North Central Development Commission (Establishment, etc.) Act, 2025, following the passage of the Bill by the National Assembly and its assent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under his Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Commission was created to drive socio-economic development, reconstruct communities devastated by insecurity and communal crises, stimulate economic growth, bridge infrastructure deficits, promote environmental restoration, and improve the quality of life across the North Central region.

For a region that serves as Nigeria’s food basket and possesses vast mineral and tourism resources, the Commission represents far more than another government agency. It is a strategic intervention designed to unlock decades of untapped opportunities while addressing longstanding developmental challenges.

Building the Dream Team

From inception, the Commission moved quickly from legislation to action.

President Tinubu constituted a Governing Board headed by Barr. Cosmas Akighir as Chairman, while appointing Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil as the pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Supporting the MD are five Executive Directors:

• Prof. Mohammed B. Nuhu – Executive Director, Finance
• Princess Atika Ajanna – Executive Director, Projects
• Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim – Executive Director, Commercial and Industrial Development
• Hajiya Bilqis Jumoke Sani – Executive Director, Administration and Human Resources
• James Abel Uloko – Executive Director, Corporate Services

Together with other Board members representing the North Central states, the FCT and Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, the leadership team has begun the painstaking task of building a development institution from the ground up.

The Nasarawa State Government further demonstrated its commitment by providing temporary headquarters accommodation in Lafia, enabling the Commission to commence operations almost immediately after the appointments.

Following the formal inauguration of the Governing Board, the Commission held its inaugural Board meeting, approved its operational framework, established thirteen strategic committees and commenced implementation of its take-off programme.

A Technocrat at the Helm

For many observers, Dr. Cyril Tsenyil’s appointment was a deliberate choice rooted in competence, experience and integrity.

A Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (FCNA), Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC), Member of the Certified Public Accountants (CPA), Ireland, and Member of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), he brings more than three decades of distinguished public service experience in finance, administration, institutional reforms and development planning.

Before assuming leadership of the NCDC, he served with distinction as Accountant-General of Plateau State, where he became widely recognised for introducing transformative reforms that modernised public financial management.

Under his leadership, Plateau State implemented digital financial systems that significantly improved transparency, strengthened accountability, enhanced internally generated revenue, reduced financial leakages, institutionalised fiscal discipline and consolidated government finances through Treasury Single Account reforms. His public service career also includes service as Director of Finance and Supply, Head of Internal Audit, Principal Accountant and Financial Manager across several government institutions.

Beyond administration, Dr. Tsenyil is an accomplished scholar holding a PhD from the University of Jos, an MBA and a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Science, with published research focusing on innovation, service delivery and organisational competitiveness.

Leadership Anchored on Results

Since assuming office, Dr. Tsenyil has consistently emphasised that the Commission will be guided by measurable impact rather than bureaucracy.

“Our mandate is clear—to drive sustainable development across the North Central states. We are aligning every programme and policy with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure that the impact of this newly created commission is felt in agriculture, infrastructure, youth empowerment and security,” he has affirmed.

This philosophy is already reflected in the Commission’s structured take-off agenda.

Its operational roadmap focuses on five strategic pillars:

• governance and institutional development;
• strategic planning and stakeholder engagement;
• implementation of quick-impact projects;
• establishment of sound financial and administrative systems; and
• continuous monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

The objective is to build credibility from inception while creating a transparent, accountable and performance-driven institution.

Transforming North Central

The Commission has identified priority intervention areas that directly address the region’s most pressing needs.

Infrastructure remains central to its development strategy through the reconstruction of roads, bridges and public facilities while supporting agricultural productivity across the region.

Recognising the devastating impact of insecurity, the Commission also intends to facilitate rehabilitation and resettlement of internally displaced persons, support peace-building initiatives and restore livelihoods disrupted by farmer-herder conflicts and communal violence.

Environmental restoration has equally been prioritised to address land degradation and the ecological consequences of mining activities, alongside improvements in healthcare, education and other social infrastructure.

Rather than duplicate existing government programmes, the Commission has committed itself to filling development gaps through carefully targeted interventions capable of generating long-term regional integration and economic prosperity.

Partnership as a Development Strategy

Understanding that sustainable development requires collaboration, the Commission has embarked on extensive stakeholder engagement.

Consultations have involved the Federal Ministry of Regional Development, state governments, federal ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, security institutions, traditional rulers, community leaders and other regional development commissions.

These engagements are intended to build ownership, strengthen partnerships and ensure that projects reflect the genuine needs of beneficiary communities.

Financial Foundation for Regional Renewal

One of the Commission’s biggest milestones has been securing legislative approval for its inaugural budget.

The Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission approved the Commission’s ₦140 billion 2026 budget, with approximately *86 per cent allocated to capital projects*, underscoring the Commission’s commitment to development rather than administration.

The budget prioritises investments in infrastructure, agriculture, empowerment programmes, education, healthcare, environmental restoration and economic recovery.

The Senate described the budget as capable of significantly transforming the region if properly implemented while urging the Commission to maintain transparency, fairness and accountability.

Commitment to Equity

Perhaps one of the strongest assurances given by Dr. Tsenyil is his commitment to equitable distribution of projects.

He has repeatedly stated that every state within the North Central zone will benefit fairly from the Commission’s interventions without ethnic, religious or political bias.

According to him, the Commission’s interventions will complement—not duplicate—the efforts of federal, state and local governments by focusing on strategic projects capable of creating integrated regional development.

That commitment has been welcomed by stakeholders who expect the Commission to become a model of transparency, prudent financial management and inclusive governance.

Recognition Built on Excellence

Throughout his career, Dr. Tsenyil has received numerous honours recognising his commitment to accountability, transparency and professional excellence.

Among them are awards for outstanding performance as Accountant-General in North Central Nigeria, Excellence in Accountability and Service Delivery, Professionalism, Transparency in Governance and several recognitions from professional bodies, universities and civil society organisations.

These accolades reinforce a reputation built over decades of disciplined public service.

Looking Ahead

With its governance structures established, operational systems taking shape and funding secured, the North Central Development Commission has moved beyond conception into implementation.

The Commission is expected to produce a comprehensive regional master plan that will serve as a long-term blueprint for transforming the North Central zone through strategic investments, institutional partnerships and sustainable development.

For Dr. Cyril Tsenyil and the leadership team he heads, the task ahead is enormous—but so too is the opportunity.

If the Commission succeeds in translating its vision into measurable outcomes, it could redefine development planning across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones and restore hope to millions of people across the North Central region.

As the pioneer Managing Director leading a carefully assembled dream team, Dr. Cyril Tsenyil carries both the responsibility and the privilege of shaping one of Nigeria’s newest and potentially most transformative development institutions.

The journey has only just begun, but the foundations being laid today may well determine the future prosperity of the North Central region for generations to come.

MEET THE TEAM

Barrister Cosmas Ternenge Akighir

Barrister Cosmas Ternenge Akighir is a distinguished Nigerian legal practitioner and the pioneer Board Chairman of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), a position to which he was confirmed by the Nigerian Senate in June 2025. Barr.

Akighir possesses outstanding academic and professional credentials, reflecting a career defined by excellence and versatility. With over two decades of multifaceted experience, he has built a remarkable reputation as a legal practitioner, risk management specialist, agribusiness expert, and chartered forensic professional.

His professional journey spans legal practice, credit risk management, forensic investigation, agribusiness consultancy, and arbitration. Over the years, he has played key roles in legal recovery processes, forensic audits, policy development, and institutional reforms across both government agencies and private sector organizations.

His rare ability to bridge law, finance, and development has enabled him to contribute meaningfully to governance, economic planning, and accountability systems. As the pioneer Chairman of the North Central Development Commission, Barr.

Akighir is uniquely positioned to deploy his wealth of experience and strategic insight to drive sustainable development initiatives, strengthen institutional collaboration, and promote inclusive economic growth across Nigeria’s North Central region.

Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil

CYRIL YILTSEN TSENYIL, PhD, Fcna, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer North Central Development Commission (NCDC)

Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil is a distinguished public finance expert, accomplished administrator, and development strategist with over three decades of experience in financial management, public sector administration, policy implementation, institutional reform, and strategic leadership.

He is the pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), where he is leading efforts to establish a robust framework for sustainable development and economic transformation across the North Central region of Nigeria.

A Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (FCNA), Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC), Member of the Certified Public Accountants (CPA), Ireland, and Member of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Tsenyil possesses extensive expertise in public finance management, budgeting, accounting systems, revenue administration, regulatory compliance, and institutional governance.

Before his appointment as Managing Director of the NCDC, he served with distinction as Accountant General of Plateau State, where he championed far-reaching reforms that transformed the State’s financial management architecture.

Under his leadership, Plateau State adopted digital financial systems that enhanced transparency, accountability, and efficiency in revenue generation, collection, and accounting processes.

He also spearheaded the consolidation of government inflows into a Treasury Single Account framework, strengthened expenditure controls, and introduced innovative measures that significantly reduced financial leakages and improved fiscal discipline.

His public service career spans several strategic positions, including Director of Finance and Supply in the Plateau State Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development; Head of Internal Audit; Principal Accountant, and Financial Manager. Throughout these roles, he demonstrated exceptional capacity in policy formulation, financial oversight, project management, institutional reforms, and stakeholder engagement.

As the pioneer Chief Executive of the North Central Development Commission, Dr. Tsenyil is working with a dedicated Governing Board and Management to lay a solid foundation for the Commission’s operational takeoff by establishing key governance, policy, and accountability structures. He has championed extensive stakeholder consultations across the six North Central states and the Federal Capital Territory, resulting in ongoing robust stakeholder engagement.

A respected scholar and researcher, Dr. Tsenyil holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the prestigious University of Jos, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA), and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Science. His academic contributions include published research on innovation, service delivery, and competitive advantage in business organizations.

Over the years, his commitment to accountability, transparency, professionalism, and prudent financial management has earned him numerous awards and recognitions from professional bodies, academic institutions, and civil society organizations. These honours reflect his enduring dedication to excellence in public service and governance.

Driven by a vision of inclusive growth and sustainable development, Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil continues to provide transformational leadership at the North Central Development Commission, fostering strategic partnerships, mobilizing investments, and advancing initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, economic opportunities, social welfare, and the overall quality of life of the people of North Central Nigeria.

Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil hails from Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State and is happily married with children.

Princess Atika Ajanah

Princess Atika Ajanah is a prominent Nigerian public figure renowned for her expertise in information technology and public relations. Hailing from Kogi State, she is married to Aliyu Ajanah, and they are blessed with four children.

With over fifteen years of professional experience, she has distinguished herself as a certified public speaker and communication expert, earning recognition for her dynamic presence and strategic engagement skills.

In her previous role as Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Social Events, she recorded several notable milestones, including pioneering the first drone show in Africa—an achievement that underscored her creativity and innovative approach to public engagement.

A media sensation and accomplished administrator, Princess Atika Ajanah has now been appointed Executive Director, Projects, of the newly established North Central Development Commission (NCDC), where she is expected to bring innovation, visibility, and strategic direction to project implementation across the region

James Abel Uloko

James Abel Uloko, Executive Director, Corporate Services, North Central Development Commission (NCDC)

James Abel Uloko is a distinguished public administrator, media strategist, and communications expert whose career spans over four decades of dedicated service in journalism, public affairs, governance, and strategic communication. A native of Benue State, he currently serves as the Executive Director, Corporate Services, of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), where he provides strategic leadership in corporate administration and institutional development.

Mr. Uloko holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree in History and a Master of Public Administration (MPA). He has further enhanced his professional competence through specialized training, including a Certificate in Advanced Feature Writing from Media Training Ltd., London, United Kingdom; a Certificate in Partnership and Networking in Development from Johannesburg, South Africa; and a Certificate in Basic Information Technology from Abuja.

His career has been marked by several distinguished appointments. He has served as Special Adviser to the Governor of Benue State on Information and Orientation, Director of Media and Public Affairs to the Governor, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Executive Governor of Benue State, and Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the President of the Senate at the National Assembly. He also played key roles as Director of Media and Publicity for the Benue State PDP Campaign Team during the 2011 General Elections and Assistant Director of Research and Documentation for the party’s 2023 General Election Campaign Team. In addition, he has served as a Media and Public Relations Consultant and as a member of the Board of Directors of Radio Benue.

Before his transition into public service, Mr. Uloko established himself as a respected journalist, serving as a Senior Staff Writer with Newswatch Magazine and as a News Reporter with Radio Plateau, Jos. His contributions to journalism earned him recognition for professionalism, integrity, and excellence in public communication.

Widely regarded as a consummate professional, James Abel Uloko has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, administrative acumen, and an unwavering commitment to public service. His appointment as Executive Director, Corporate Services, of the North Central Development Commission has been warmly welcomed by stakeholders across the region, who are confident that his vast experience and visionary leadership will contribute significantly to the Commission’s mandate of driving sustainable development, strengthening institutional capacity, and improving the socio-economic well-being of the people of North Central Nigeria.

Mr. Uloko, who is widely traveled, is married and has three children.

A distinguished media mogul with extensive professional and managerial experience, Uloko brings a unique blend of strategic communication expertise and administrative competence to the role. He is well-positioned to drive institutional growth, strengthen internal systems, and enhance operational efficiency within the Commission. With his wealth of knowledge and forward-thinking approach, he is expected to play a pivotal role in deepening the impact of the NCDC, fostering innovation, and ensuring the effective delivery of its development objectives across the North Central region.

Hajia Bilqis Jumoke Sanni

Hajia Bilqis Jumoke Sanni Executive Director Admin & Human Resources , from Kwara State has public service career spans nearly three decades, marked by her occupancy of several strategic leadership positions. She is widely recognized as a dedicated grassroots mobilizer, a generous philanthropist, and a strong advocate for sustainable development.She is also admired for her ability to effectively balance the demands of public service with a deep commitment to her faith and family life. Her appointment to the NCDC Board is seen as a clear reflection of her integrity, steadfast dedication, and the trust she has earned over the years.

As Executive Director of the NCDC, Hajia Bilqis Jumoke Sanni is poised to play a crucial role in advancing development initiatives, addressing security concerns, and improving infrastructure and social welfare across the North Central geopolitical zone.

Professor Muhammad Bashar Nuhu

Professor Muhammad Bashar Nuhu, Executive Director (Finance) at the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), from Niger State is widely regarded as a man of rare integrity, with remarkable achievements in leadership, mentorship, and education—qualities that are both symbolic and deeply inspiring.

He has earned widespread recognition for his unwavering commitment to the growth and development of Niger State, standing out as a patriotic, resourceful leader, a trailblazer, and a dedicated grassroots mobilizer.

Rooted in strong principles and refined in culture, Prof. Nuhu is an expert in feasibility and viability appraisals, investment analysis, housing studies, land policies, Land Information Systems (LIS), urban policy, and urban infrastructure management. His expertise also extends to resettlement and compensation matters, as well as community development initiatives and the financing and management of local infrastructure projects.

Notably, he was the only Nigerian selected and sponsored to participate in the Joint Seminar of the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Verona, Italy, where he presented Nigeria’s land policy country report in 2007.

His appointment to the NCDC has been widely described as a significant boost to regional development in the North Central zone and Nigeria at large.

Hajiya Aishatu Rufai Ibrahim

Hajiya Aishatu Rufai Ibrahim, Executive Director Commercial and Industrial Development. from Nasarawa State is a highly respected technocrat and seasoned public administrator. She has built a strong reputation not only for her competence and dedication but also as a symbol of humility, sacrifice, commitment, and resilience. Her appointment signals a new phase in the development trajectory of Nigeria’s North Central region, with expectations of strategic leadership and impactful governance.

Over the years, she has served under different administrations in various capacities, including as Commissioner in key ministries such as Agriculture and Women Affairs, as well as Special Adviser in multiple roles. Her appointment to the Commission brings with it a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing the North Central states.

Renowned for her transparent leadership style and strong community engagement, Hajiya Aishatu Rufai Ibrahim is expected to bring renewed vigor to the Commission’s activities. Observers believe her tenure could mark a turning point, with increased focus on critical sectors such as agriculture, education, and infrastructure—key drivers of sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction across the region.