The New Nigerian Development Company (NNDC) has lauded Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for his dedication to reforming the company and advancing regional development in Northern Nigeria.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna on Monday, NNDC Chairman, Alhaji Lamis Dikko, praised the governor’s support, describing it as “critical” and impactful. He noted that the governor’s efforts have not gone unnoticed and are aligned with the foundational vision of the company’s establishment by Northern leaders such as the late Premier Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto.

“This bold initiative is aimed at restoring the company to the original vision and mission set by our founding fathers,” Dikko stated.

He announced that NNDC would embark on a restructuring process designed to provide competent leadership, ensure effective oversight, and re-establish the company as a catalyst for economic transformation in the northern region.

“We shall embark on restructuring, provide competent leadership, and the required oversight so that NNDC will be restored to its rightful position in the region’s development,” he said. “We will pursue our mandate with vigour and fidelity, mindful that NNDC is governed by corporate and regulatory frameworks including the Companies and Allied Matters Act and the Nigeria Code of Corporate Governance.”

Dikko underscored the importance of strong strategic direction, performance indicators, and sound governance practices, affirming that accountability and transparency would be the cornerstone of the company’s renewed vision.

“We are determined to create an enabling environment for our management and staff to deliver measurable results. We will reward performance and sanction misconduct across all levels—from the board chairman to the most junior employee. Integrity, transparency, and service excellence will define the new NNDC,” he declared.

He further commended the Kaduna State Government for the recent groundbreaking of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), describing the project as transformative. According to Dikko, the initiative would significantly boost food security, agribusiness, rural development, and employment opportunities across the state and region.

“This kind of bold and transformative leadership is what our region needs. NNDC is ready to fully participate and collaborate with prospective investors in this noble venture,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the Kaduna State Government, Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe emphasized the importance of leveraging NNDC’s technical expertise, particularly in the revitalization of Kaduna’s once-thriving textile industry.

“The government will need to tap from NNDC’s technical expertise, especially to revive some of the moribund textile factories,” she said, adding that the reorganization of the NNDC positions it to achieve such objectives.

Balarabe described the NNDC as a regional think tank and urged its leadership to focus on delivering viable, impactful interventions that would benefit the entire northern region.

The NNDC is a conglomerate owned by the 19 northern states of Nigeria, with interests spanning agriculture, textiles, solid minerals, consulting, real estate, hotel management, IT, oil and gas, construction, and investment sectors. Shareholders include Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara states, represented by their respective Secretaries to the State Governments.