On May 10, 2025, Nigerian troops from the 24 Task Force Brigade, supported by Hybrid Forces under Operation Hadin Kai, ambushed Boko Haram terrorists in Koibe village, Dikwa LGA, Borno State. Acting on intelligence, the early-morning operation led to the deaths of two insurgents. A follow-up mission uncovered two freshly buried bodies in Boboshe, believed to be those of the neutralised fighters. During the recovery attempt, troops were ambushed but repelled the attack and pursued the assailants toward the Gargash area.

In a move signaling a significant milestone for regional development in Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Tsenyil Cyril Yiltsen from Plateau State as the pioneer Managing Director of the newly established North Central Development Commission (NCDC). The appointment is subject to the confirmation of the Nigerian Senate, according to a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday.

The North Central Development Commission was created to address the infrastructural deficit, socioeconomic imbalance, and long-standing development challenges faced by states in the North Central geopolitical zone. These include Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, and Niger States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

A Regional Leader at the Helm

Tsenyil Cyril Yiltsen’s selection as the pioneer Managing Director is being lauded as a strategic choice given his roots in Plateau and his reputed experience in regional planning and governance. With years of service in both public and private sectors, Yiltsen is expected to bring vision and coordination to the commission as it sets its development agenda.

Leadership Team Reflects Zonal Diversity

Alongside Yiltsen, President Tinubu also announced other board members, drawing representatives from across the North Central zone to ensure balanced representation:

Cosmas Akiyir from Benue State will serve as the Board Chairman.

James Abel Uloko (Benue) has been nominated as Executive Director.

Princess Atika Ajanah (Kogi) is appointed Executive Director, Projects.

Hajia Bilgis Jumoke Sanni (Kwara) will serve as Executive Director.

Hajia Aishatu Rufai-Ibrahim (Nasarawa) takes a similar role as Executive Director.

Muhammad Bashar (Niger) is also appointed Executive Director.

This inclusive composition underscores the administration’s intention to ensure that all states within the region have a voice in the planning and execution of development programs.

Mandate and Expectations

The NCDC is modeled after other regional commissions such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC). Its mandate includes addressing infrastructural decay, promoting human capital development, resettling displaced communities, improving access to healthcare and education, and stimulating economic growth.

Analysts note that the challenges facing the North Central region—ranging from insecurity and poor rural infrastructure to the effects of climate change on agriculture—require an institution with both capacity and autonomy. With its inauguration, expectations are high that the NCDC will help harmonize federal and state development plans and accelerate impactful projects.

Political and Public Reactions

Initial reactions from stakeholders across the North Central region have been mostly positive. Civil society groups and political leaders have commended the federal government’s commitment to equitable development, while urging the Senate to expedite the confirmation process to enable the commission begin operations promptly.

Observers, however, also stress the need for transparency, accountability, and community engagement as key pillars for the commission’s success. As one political analyst put it, “The success of the NCDC will not just lie in its funding but in the ability of its leadership to build trust and deliver measurable results.”

Conclusion

With the appointment of Tsenyil Cyril Yiltsen and a strong team of directors, the North Central Development Commission is now poised to begin its work. As the region watches closely, the coming months will be crucial in laying the groundwork for what could become a transformative institution for millions of Nigerians in the heart of the country.

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, has dismissed recent claims from the House of Representatives suggesting that terrorists operating within the country possess more advanced weaponry than the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Speaking during a ministerial briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the minister firmly rejected the allegation, stating that the military is better equipped in both weaponry and technology.

“That statement is completely false,” Abubakar said. “We have far more sophisticated arms and surveillance equipment, including drones.”

He emphasized that the fight against terrorism in Nigeria is not a traditional military conflict, but rather a guerrilla-style war that demands different strategies and responses.

“This is not a conventional war,” he explained. “Terrorists use surprise attacks and rely heavily on informants within local communities. They strike unpredictably, making it a unique challenge.”

Despite the difficulty in monitoring every area simultaneously, the minister maintained that the Nigerian military holds a significant advantage in terms of equipment and capabilities.

“Our inability to be everywhere at once doesn’t mean we’re underpowered. We’re making progress because we have superior tools and strategies,” he concluded.