The North West Development Commission (NWDC) has unveiled plans to support more than 30,000 farmers and train 10,000 youths across the seven North West states as part of a broader regional development programme scheduled to commence in the second half of 2026. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Prof. Shehu Ma’aji, disclosed this while presenting the agency’s mid-year performance report to the Senate Committee on the North West Development Commission. He said the commission has moved from institutional establishment to operational readiness, recording progress in governance, procurement planning, strategic partnerships and project development. According to Ma’aji, priority projects identified in consultation with state governments include the rehabilitation of primary healthcare centres and secondary schools, provision of clean water through motorised and solar-powered boreholes, resettlement of internally displaced persons, youth skills development, agricultural support and security interventions. A major agricultural intervention will see free fertiliser distributed to 30,000 farming households during the 2026 wet season to improve food production and rural livelihoods. Business Formation   The commission will also implement a Youth Skills Acquisition Programme targeting 10,000 beneficiaries, who will receive technical, vocational and digital skills training at centres located in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto. An online portal has already been created for enrolment and verification. Ma’aji said the commission is also engaging development partners and foreign governments to support programmes in humanitarian services, education, healthcare, digital skills and economic empowerment. He noted that discussions are ongoing with organisations, including the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), UNDP, UNESCO, eHealth Africa and other partners on housing, healthcare, digital skills and regional development initiatives. The NWDC, established under the NWDC Act 2024, received its first statutory allocation in January 2026. Between January and May, it received ₦15.17 billion, spent ₦1.2 billion and maintained a balance of ₦13.97 billion as of July 5, 2026. Despite the progress, Ma’aji identified delayed funding releases as a major challenge, noting that although ₦145.61 billion was budgeted for the commission in 2026, actual monthly releases averaged about three per cent of the approved allocation, affecting project implementation. He, however, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources as it prepares to roll out its development programmes across the region.The post NWDC Unveils Plans to Support 30,000 Farmers, Train 10,000 Youths Across North West first appeared on Opportunities Hub.