Rt. Hon. Prince Chibudom Nwuche, the pioneer Chairman of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), has reaffirmed his commitment to delivering real, people-centered impact across the six states of the South-South region. This came during a high-level courtesy visit by the Commission’s board and management to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, in Abuja.
Leading the delegation, Chairman Nwuche expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the SSDC, to Senate President Akpabio for championing its passage through the National Assembly, and to lawmakers for overcoming initial reservations—despite the existence of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)—to create an agency with a broader mandate covering every corner of the region.
“Under my leadership as Chairman, I assure you that we shall keep faith in executing the core mandate of this Commission,” Prince Nwuche declared. “We will work closely with you, the Senate, and listen to guidance from our stakeholders. We will avoid the mistakes of the past and make sure our people feel the impact of governance.”
The visit followed the recent inauguration of the SSDC’s pioneer leadership, where Nwuche was appointed Chairman, alongside Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Ms. Usoro Akpabio, Executive Director Projects Hon. Marcus Nle Eji, and other board members.
Senate President Akpabio charged the team to rise to the occasion, describing the SSDC as a vital instrument for advancing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “The ball is now in your court to add value to the South-South region through this development Commission,” Akpabio said. “You have a lot of responsibilities to develop the region… It is a call to service. It is a call to put on your thinking cap to add value to the economy of the nation.”
He emphasized that the Niger Delta has long sustained Nigeria’s economy, and the SSDC represents reciprocal commitment from the federal government. Akpabio pledged full National Assembly support for adequate funding and successful execution of major projects.
Pioneer Managing Director Ms. Usoro Akpabio complemented the Chairman’s vision, highlighting the Commission’s focus on human capital development, infrastructural renewal, and unlocking stranded wealth. “This Commission will align with other sister development agencies and work with the states while carrying out our independent mandate,” she said. “Ours is to be a role model for other developmental agencies in Nigeria… We will unlock the potentials of the South-South people and bring out a lot of talents in the region across all sectors.”
Prince Chibudom Nwuche’s assurances underscore a forward-looking approach for the SSDC: prioritizing sustainable, inclusive growth, learning from prior interventions, and ensuring tangible benefits reach communities far beyond oil-producing zones. As the Commission takes off, all eyes are on its leadership—particularly Chairman Nwuche—to translate these promises into visible development that uplifts living standards and fuels economic renewal in the South-South.
