President Tinubu Appoints Usoro Akpabio as MD of South South Development Commission

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Miss Usoro Offiong Akpabio as the Managing Director of the South South Development Commission (SSDC), a newly established regional body aimed at promoting economic growth and infrastructural development across Nigeria’s South South geopolitical zone.

Akpabio, a 42-year-old political strategist from Akwa Ibom State, is widely recognized for her extensive experience in grassroots development, policy planning, and public administration. Her appointment is seen as a strategic move to inject fresh energy into the SSDC’s mission of driving economic empowerment and regional progress.

In addition to Akpabio’s appointment, Chibudom Nwuche, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, has been named the Chairman of the SSDC. The commission will have 18 members and be headquartered in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State.

President Tinubu has submitted the list of nominees for the commission’s leadership to the Senate for confirmation.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has directed the relevant committees to conduct the necessary screenings and submit their reports within two weeks.

The SSDC is part of President Tinubu’s broader “Renewed Hope” agenda, which aims to foster inclusive governance and sustainable development across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Once confirmed, the SSDC leadership will be tasked with:
• Bridging infrastructure gaps in the South South region.
• Promoting economic growth and industrialization.
• Enhancing human capital development through skill acquisition and employment programs.
• Supporting environmental protection and sustainable resource management.

The commission is expected to play a critical role in addressing the unique developmental challenges facing the South South region, including inadequate infrastructure, youth unemployment, and environmental degradation.

With Usoro Akpabio at the helm, the SSDC is poised to become a key driver of economic transformation in Nigeria’s oil-rich southern region.