AfriPulse
April 28, (THEWILL) — Stakeholders from across the Niger Delta region have called for stronger peace-building initiatives, enhanced regional stability and accelerated completion of critical infrastructure projects, including the East-West Road and the ongoing Coastal Highway.
These were parts of resolutions reached at the end of the 16th Niger Delta National Youth and Development Stakeholders Forum (NDNYDSF) and 11th Annual Regional Retreat, Training and Dialogue, held in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
The three-day forum, held from April 23 to 25, 2026, brought together over 230 delegates from the nine Niger Delta states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers, alongside diaspora participants, youth and women groups, civil society organisations, traditional and religious institutions, government officials and private sector stakeholders. At the end of deliberations, participants adopted the “Edo 2026 Declaration”, a comprehensive regional action plan focused on strengthening peace, security, economic growth, youth empowerment and sustainable development in the oil-rich region.
Held under the theme, “Enhancing Peace, Security and Unity for the Wellbeing of Citizens in the Niger Delta Region and Development of Nigeria at Large”, the retreat extensively examined issues affecting the region, including education, unemployment, food security, agriculture, healthcare, environmental sustainability, infrastructure deficits and youth restiveness.
The stakeholders stressed that peace and stability remain critical to the socio-economic advancement of the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole, urging governments at all levels, intervention agencies, development partners and community leaders to strengthen collaboration to address insecurity, poverty and economic challenges confronting the region.
A major highlight of the discussions was the delayed completion of the East-West Road, which participants described as a strategic economic corridor linking several oil-producing states in the region. Delegates noted that the prolonged delay in completing sections of the highway has continued to affect transportation, commercial activities and regional economic integration, calling on the Federal Government to expedite work on the project.
Participants also backed the ongoing Coastal Highway project, describing it as a transformative infrastructure initiative capable of boosting trade, improving connectivity and opening up new economic opportunities across coastal communities in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country.
The forum urged the Federal Government to prioritise the speedy execution of both projects, noting that improved infrastructure remains essential for sustainable economic growth, investment and regional development.
Stakeholders also assessed the activities and impact of key intervention agencies and programmes operating in the Niger Delta, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), international oil companies and development partners.
Participants called for greater accountability, improved project implementation, stronger community engagement and expanded empowerment programmes aimed at reducing unemployment, poverty and social tension in host communities.
On security, the forum advocated community-based peace-building initiatives, pipeline protection and anti-vandalism campaigns, while condemning kidnapping, cultism, terrorism, destruction of public assets and other forms of violence affecting the region.
Delegates further emphasised the need for increased investment in education, entrepreneurship, agriculture, tourism, the creative economy and skills acquisition programmes as part of efforts to create opportunities for youths and women across the Niger Delta.
Organisers disclosed that the annual forum was established in 2009 with the support of the Presidency during the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to promote peace, security and development in the Niger Delta.
According to the planning committee, the initiative was facilitated by the late Chief Ufot Ekaette and Elder Godsday Orubebe under the former Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, now renamed the Federal Ministry of Regional Development.
The forum currently comprises about 60 member organisations implementing projects and programmes across the nine Niger Delta states and has continued to serve as a platform for dialogue, stakeholder engagement and regional development advocacy.
Stakeholders aligned the objectives of the retreat with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and welcomed the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Regional Development as part of efforts to strengthen intervention and development in the region.
As part of activities linked to the Edo 2026 gathering, President Tinubu was invited as Father of the Day to address delegates and flag off the proposed “Niger Delta Rise for Peace, Security and Development” initiative across the 27 senatorial districts in the region, while First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu was invited as Mother of the Day.
The organisers expressed appreciation to partners, including the Federal Ministry of Regional Development, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Radio Nigeria, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Nigeria Police Force, for supporting the successful hosting of the retreat.
They also called on state governments, lawmakers, development agencies, private sector organisations, civil society groups and media institutions to deepen collaboration to sustain peace, security and inclusive development across the Niger Delta region.
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