In a significant move marking the formal commencement of a new era for regional development, the Managing Director of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), Ms. Usoro Akpabio on Monday, led a delegation of senior officials on a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, in Abuja on Monday, July 21, 2025.
The visit, which comes shortly after the screening of the Commission’s leadership team, by the Senate reaffirms the SSDC’s readiness to align with the Federal Government’s development agenda and to deliver on its mandate to accelerate infrastructure, economic and human capital development across the South-South geopolitical zone.
During the meeting, Senator Akume congratulated Ms. Akpabio and the newly constituted leadership of the Commission on their well-deserved appointments. He emphasized the strategic importance of the South-South region to Nigeria’s overall growth and stability, and charged the SSDC team to uphold professionalism, transparency, and innovation in the discharge of their duties.
“This appointment is a vote of confidence by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in your ability to transform the narrative of the South-South,” the SGF stated. “We are counting on your leadership to drive meaningful, inclusive development that reaches the grassroots and strengthens the economic potential of the region.”
The SGF noted that the Tinubu administration remains committed to devolution of development efforts and fostering collaboration with regional institutions such as the SSDC to ensure balanced national growth.
In her remarks, Ms. Akpabio expressed deep gratitude to the President for the opportunity to serve, and pledged to bring visionary leadership and stakeholder engagement to the Commission’s work.
She reiterated the SSDC’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and measurable impact in all its projects and interventions.
“We are prepared to hit the ground running,” she assured. “The people of the South-South are looking up to us, and we will not fail them.”
A major highlight of the visit was the formal presentation of appointment letters to the SSDC management team, officially marking the beginning of their tenure.
