Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has asked the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to build more houses in communities affected by insurgency and displacement.

Ndume made the request during a courtesy visit to the NEDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Goni Alkali.

He also called for the creation of an NEDC annex office in Biu. According to him, the office would make it easier for people in Southern Borno to access the commission’s programmes.

The senator said a local office would bring NEDC services closer to residents. It could also reduce the need for people to travel long distances to access the commission.

Housing needed for displaced families

Ndume placed particular emphasis on housing. He identified Damboa, Chibok, Gwoza, Askira-Uba and Biu as areas that need more housing projects.

He said additional homes would support displaced families. They would also help communities affected by insurgency with their resettlement and recovery efforts.

Housing is an important part of rebuilding communities affected by conflict. Families returning to these areas need safe homes as well as roads, schools, healthcare and other basic services.

More housing construction could also support local economic activity. Building projects create demand for construction workers, materials and other services.

Senator seeks support for education and roads

Ndume also asked the NEDC to provide more infrastructure support to key educational institutions in Borno South.

He mentioned the Federal College of Education, Gwoza, and the Nigerian Army University, Biu.

The senator also urged the commission to help complete the Izge–Bita Road. He said he facilitated the project last year, but funding problems have slowed its progress.

Improved road links are important to housing and community development. Roads can improve access to homes, schools, health facilities, markets and other public services.

Ndume commends NEDC’s UMTH investment

The senator also praised the NEDC for its investment in the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).

He highlighted the commission’s support for the hospital’s fertility centre. The facility provides specialised reproductive and fertility-related medical services.

Ndume’s comments reflect the wider need to connect housing development with healthcare, education and transport infrastructure.

NEDC responds to Biu office request

Alkali thanked Ndume for the visit and his continued interest in the development of the North-East.

He said the NEDC remains focused on improving living conditions across the region through development projects.

On the proposed Biu office, Alkali explained that the NEDC Act provides for offices across the six states of the North-East.

He said the commission already has offices in some states. Other offices, he added, are at different stages of construction.

Alkali explained that NEDC offices are mainly established at the state level. However, he said the commission would continue to look for ways to bring its services closer to communities.

NEDC promises continued housing investment

Alkali also responded to the request for more housing in Borno South.

He assured Ndume that the commission would continue to invest in quality housing. He said particular attention would be given to communities recovering from insurgency and displacement.

The response keeps housing at the centre of the wider reconstruction effort in the North-East. For displaced families, the availability of homes can play an important role in supporting their return and resettlement.

The requests from Ndume also show the need for housing projects to be supported by roads, education, healthcare and other infrastructure.

For communities rebuilding after years of insecurity, these services are important to creating conditions where families can return, settle and rebuild their lives.

The proposed expansion of housing and infrastructure in Borno South therefore goes beyond the construction of individual homes. It highlights the role of coordinated public investment in supporting resettlement and the recovery of communities affected by displacement.

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A Federal High Court has remanded the National Coordinator of the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) under the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma,

in custody over allegations of fraud amounting to N2.2 billion. The remand was ordered on Tuesday by Justice Keziah Ogbonnaya at the Suleja Correctional Centre following the arraignment of Danjuma alongside co-defendant Prince Chibuike Echem.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) instituted the case, which centers on claims of false pretence, forgery, and inducement involving purported MCRP contracts intended for post-conflict recovery and development in Nigeria’s North East. Both defendants were arraigned on a 55-count charge and pleaded not guilty to all allegations, asserting their innocence before the court.

During proceedings, the EFCC counsel, Olanrewaju Adeola, formally sought to read the charges to the defendants, a request unopposed by defence lawyers. According to the charge sheet, Danjuma,

in his capacity as NEDC MCRP National Coordinator, allegedly conspired with Prince Echem and another individual still at large, Aminu Alhaji, between May 2022 and February 2024 in Abuja, to obtain by false pretence a total sum of N2,280,000,000 from Kenneth Ejiofor Ifekudu, Managing Director of Diamond Leeds Limited, and the company itself.

The charges indicate that the alleged acts contravened Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, which prescribes penalties for obtaining money under false pretences. Additional claims allege that the defendants obtained N649,500,000 and N573,500,000, purportedly under the pretext of having the capacity to award contracts under the MCRP, highlighting the scale of the alleged deception.

Following the charge reading, the EFCC requested the court to remand the defendants pending the hearing of their case. The defence sought bail in the interest of justice, but the prosecution opposed the motion on procedural grounds, prompting the court to require a formal response from the EFCC before any determination. Consequently, Justice Ogbonnaya set March 25 to April 2 for the trial, ordering an accelerated hearing while the accused remain in custody pending bail determinations.

Court documents reviewed by Nairametrics indicate that the prosecution’s strategy will heavily rely on testimonial and documentary evidence detailing the alleged scheme. The complainant is expected to testify that Prince Echem introduced him to Danjuma, presenting an opportunity for contract financing linked to the MCRP. The EFCC also plans to tender documents allegedly used to induce Diamond Leeds Limited into releasing funds for non-existent contracts. Several bank representatives are expected to testify regarding the movement and receipt of funds, corroborating the EFCC’s claims.

In addition to local currency transactions, the EFCC alleges that the defendants obtained foreign exchange payments, including $200,000 and $180,000, through false pretences. Danjuma is accused of forging a document titled North East Recovery and Stability Programme (NERSP) Notification of Award dated April 5, 2023, related to a medical training institute project in Damaturu, Yobe State, an act considered to be part of the broader fraudulent scheme.

The North East Development Commission was established to coordinate reconstruction, stabilisation, and development efforts in Nigeria’s North East, a region severely affected by insurgency and humanitarian crises. The Commission oversees intervention programmes such as the MCRP, which are designed to rebuild infrastructure, support livelihoods, and provide social and economic opportunities to affected communities.

In 2023, Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated a new board and management team for the NEDC, urging the commission to prioritise economic empowerment, quality education, and access to healthcare across the North East. The current alleged fraud case, therefore, comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the use of intervention funds and the effectiveness of recovery programmes.

Observers note that the outcome of this trial will have wider implications for public confidence in the management of federal intervention funds and accountability measures within development agencies. With billions of naira earmarked for reconstruction and rehabilitation, the case underscores the challenges of governance and the need for transparent financial management in conflict-affected regions.

The trial is set to attract significant attention due to the prominence of the accused and the scale of funds involved. The legal process is expected to clarify the veracity of the allegations, assess the role of institutional safeguards, and determine the liability of those implicated. Meanwhile, stakeholders in Nigeria’s development sector continue to monitor the case closely, highlighting the intersection of public service, oversight, and accountability in post-conflict recovery.

As the court prepares for accelerated hearings in late March, the nation awaits clarity on the fate of Alhaji Mohammed Danjuma, Prince Chibuike Echem, and the other alleged accomplices, reinforcing the broader imperative of ensuring integrity in the disbursement and management of public funds for national development.

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.The Budget Office of the Federation has dismissed widespread claims that the North East Development Commission (NEDC) operates a ₦246 billion salaries budget, describing the assertion as misleading and based on a poor understanding of Nigeria’s federal budgeting framework.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu, following public debates around figures contained in the 2025 federal budget.

According to the Budget Office, the ₦246.77 billion allocation associated with the NEDC represents a statutory lump-sum provision, not a dedicated personnel cost as widely circulated.

What the Budget Office is saying

Yakubu explained that allocations for statutory and quasi-statutory agencies are often presented in aggregate form during the early stages of budget preparation under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

He noted that detailed breakdowns—covering personnel, overheads, and capital expenditure—are typically provided later during budget defence sessions, legislative reviews, and implementation phases.

“The claim that the NEDC exists merely to pay salaries is unfounded. It conflates technical budget presentation with actual expenditure intent, ignores legislative appropriation dynamics, and disregards project-level evidence already embedded in official documents,” Yakubu said.

He further clarified that when agencies are unable to upload complete internal economic breakdowns at the initial budget stage, allocations may temporarily appear under the Personnel Cost heading as a technical placeholder.

“This is a recognised procedural convention pending detailed submissions, legislative adjustments, and approved reallocations during budget execution. It must not be mistaken for spending intent,” he added.

Capital expenditure concerns addressed

Responding to concerns over the comparatively small ₦2.70 billion capital expenditure figure cited by commentators, Yakubu said the amount resulted from National Assembly-approved adjustments to the 2025 budget.

According to him, nearly 70 percent of the NEDC’s capital allocation was deferred to the 2026 fiscal year following legislative decisions on the sequencing and timing of appropriations.

He stressed that this adjustment does not indicate an absence of development projects, noting that official budget schedules clearly outline ongoing and planned interventions across Nigeria’s North East.

These include:

• Agricultural and food security programmes
• Reconstruction of internally displaced persons (IDP) camps
• Rehabilitation of orphanages
• Borehole and water supply projects
• Security logistics support
• Constituency-level development initiatives

“Selective reading of a single budget line while ignoring accompanying schedules is not analysis—it is distortion,” Yakubu said.

Why this matters

The clarification highlights persistent public misunderstanding around federal budget structures, especially for statutory agencies with large development mandates like the NEDC.

Yakubu emphasised that personnel costs remain a legitimate component of any development institution, covering engineers, project managers, procurement officers, monitoring and evaluation teams, and fiduciary oversight functions essential for effective project delivery.

While welcoming public scrutiny, the Budget Office warned that misinformation weakens informed debate and accountability.

What you should know

The NEDC was established to coordinate reconstruction, stabilisation, and development efforts in Nigeria’s North East after years of insurgency and humanitarian crises.

Statutory agencies often receive lump-sum budget allocations at early stages, with detailed breakdowns emerging during legislative review and budget execution.

President Bola Tinubu presented the 2026 budget to the National Assembly on December 19, 2025, with a projected ₦23.85 trillion deficit.

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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the destruction in a statement on Monday, noting that the incident occurred on June 2 during a heavy rainstorm accompanied by violent winds. Affected areas include Anguwan Amare, Anguwan Hamidu, Anguwan Baki, and Sabon Layi, all within Kaigama Ward.

According to Mr. Ladan Ayuba, Head of NEMA’s Yola Operations Office, initial assessments show that over 300 structures were either destroyed or severely damaged, including private residences, a church, a school, and a hospital.

“Our rapid assessment team has completed the preliminary evaluation. We are now working closely with the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency to finalize a detailed report that will shape our next steps in delivering relief,” Ayuba stated.

In a coordinated response, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has pledged to rehabilitate all affected households. A delegation from the commission, led by Deputy Director of Relief and Mediation, Hajia Batulu Isa, visited the devastated communities for an on-the-spot assessment.

“We are committed to supporting the victims with food, non-food items, and construction materials. The extent of damage we witnessed is severe, and we are taking swift steps to provide relief,” Isa said.

She added that the assessment report would be presented to the commission’s Managing Director, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, to trigger immediate intervention.

Local authorities reported that six lives were lost, and more than 30 people sustained injuries, many of whom are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.

Village head Hashimu Abdulkadir called for urgent support from both state and federal lawmakers representing the area, stressing the need for reconstruction of critical infrastructure such as health and education facilities.

“We are appealing to government officials and stakeholders to prioritize the recovery of our communities,” he said.

One of the displaced residents, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, who survived the storm with her six children, described the aftermath as dire.

“Since the storm hit, we’ve been struggling. We don’t have food, shelter, or clean water. We are pleading for urgent assistance,” she said.

Relief efforts are expected to commence once the final report is submitted, with both agencies promising a coordinated and timely response.

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