President Tinubu signs Bills for South-West, South-South Development Commissions

President Bola Tinubu has officially signed the South-West Development Commission (SWDC) Bill and the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) Bill into law.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced this during Tuesday’s plenary session.

With the President’s approval of these two bills, all six geo-political zones in Nigeria now have their own dedicated development commissions.

“I just want to inform the distinguished senators that the President has assented to the remaining regional development bills – the South-west Development Commission Bill and the South-south Development Commission Bill. Now, all the development commissions are legally in place,” Akpabio said.

The Senate also expressed its appreciation to President Tinubu for signing the bills into law.

These new regional commissions will focus on improving infrastructure, boosting economic growth, and enhancing social welfare in their regions.

Akpabio thanked President Tinubu for his cooperation with the National Assembly, highlighting that the new commissions will create more job opportunities and support grassroots development.

“We thank the President for his cooperation and for creating jobs. We also appreciate the development being brought to the grassroots,” he said.

Legislative Journey of the Bills

The SWDC Bill was passed by the Senate in September 2024 and sent to the House of Representatives for approval. It was sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel from Ogun East.

The SSDC Bill followed in October 2024, also being approved by the Senate and sent to the House. This bill was sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong from Cross River South.

These two new commissions join the North-west Development Commission (NWDC) and the South-east Development Commission (SEDC), both of which were signed into law by President Tinubu in July 2024. Their boards have already been established and confirmed by the Senate.

The NWDC was sponsored by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, while the SEDC was sponsored by Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu.

Presidency Applauds the Legislation

Basheer Lado, Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, praised President Tinubu’s leadership in signing the regional development bills and the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill 2025.

Lado, who was a senator for Kano Central from 2011 to 2015, said this move demonstrates the government’s commitment to inclusive development and national progress.

“These landmark legislations show President Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance, fair progress, and making Nigeria a global power. His leadership is not just about policies; it’s about making an impact, creating a legacy, and dedicating himself to lifting up every citizen,” Lado said in a statement following the announcement by the Senate President.

“By signing the South-west and South-south Development Commissions into law, President Tinubu is reaffirming his commitment to empowering the regions, driving economic growth, and improving infrastructure. This follows his earlier signing of the South-east and North-west Development Commissions, showing his focus on bringing development to all areas of the country.”

“These commissions will help drive industrial growth, create jobs, and improve social welfare, ensuring that every part of Nigeria benefits from the President’s vision,” Lado added.

He also noted that the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill 2025, which is currently before lawmakers, aims to align with global sports ethics by adopting the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sports.

“The Anti-Doping Bill is another significant step to ensure fairness, excellence, and integrity in Nigerian sports. President Tinubu is positioning Nigeria as a nation known for its ethical standards, protecting our athletes from doping while enhancing our global reputation,” Lado said.

“This is a clear example of President Tinubu’s leadership—decisive, forward-thinking, and focused on the needs of the Nigerian people. His policies are shaping a prosperous future, both domestically and internationally.”