Grassroots Engineering in Motion — How Abubakar Momoh Is Redefining Regional Development in Nigeria

Grassroots Engineering in Motion — How Abubakar Momoh Is Redefining Regional Development in Nigeria

When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu created the Ministry of Regional Development, many wondered what new value it would bring to Nigeria’s development space. But in less than a year, under the leadership of Engr. Abubakar Momoh, FNSE, the Ministry has evolved into one of the most coordinated and impactful engines of the Renewed Hope Agenda — quietly linking infrastructure, inclusion, and innovation across Nigeria’s regions.

Momoh, a seasoned engineer with deep grassroots roots, has introduced a new template he calls “Grassroots Engineering” — a people-centered model that translates national policy into tangible results for local communities. His approach blends technical precision with empathy, ensuring that federal projects don’t just exist on paper but touch real lives.

Across the country, the results are visible. From the Ogbia–Nembe Road that reconnects isolated riverine communities in Bayelsa, to the Kaa–Ataba Road in Rivers State — long abandoned but now revived — the story is changing. The Niger Delta Ferry Services, launched under a Public-Private Partnership, marks another bold move to revive waterways transport and unlock commerce in the creeks.

But the vision is bigger. Momoh is leading a reform that brings all Regional Development Commissions — NDDC, NEDC, NCDC, SWDC, SSDC, NWDC, and SEDC — under one strategic umbrella, promoting synergy instead of duplication. This alignment is already driving better planning, shared accountability, and faster project delivery nationwide.

Under his supervision, the Ministry has initiated a Performance Bond Framework, compelling each Commission to sign measurable goals tied to timelines and impact metrics. It’s a silent revolution in public accountability — replacing routine excuses with verifiable milestones.

Beyond infrastructure, Momoh’s focus on human capital is gaining traction. Skill-development centers, empowerment clusters, and housing cooperatives are springing up across the regions, ensuring that growth is inclusive. His message is simple but powerful: development must begin from the ground up — where the people live, work, and dream.

Today, the Ministry of Regional Development stands as one of the quiet powerhouses of the Tinubu administration — combining engineering precision with social purpose. Through deliberate partnerships with the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the NSA, and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Momoh is building what insiders now call a “new federal ecosystem of collaboration.”

And as the nation prepares for the next phase of the Renewed Hope Agenda, one truth is becoming evident — Abubakar Momoh is not just constructing roads and bridges; he’s rebuilding the very architecture of trust between government and the governed.

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