Who be Usoro Akpabio wey President Tinubu appoint as MD of South South Development Commission?

BBC News

09-05-2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu don approve di appointment of Miss Usoro Akpabio as Managing Director of di South South Development Commission (SSDC).
Dis one dey for di letter wey Senate President Godswill Akpabio read as di President dey ask di red chamber to confam di appointments e make for di governing boards and managing directors of di recently established north-central, south-west and south-south development commissions.
For di South South Development Commission (SSDC), di President appoint Chibudom Nwuche as chairman and Usoro Akpabio, wey come from Akwa Ibom, as managing director.
For di board, di President appoint Marcus Eji (Rivers), Aganaba Steven (Bayelsa), Timi Ayibatonye (Delta), Joseph Ugheoke (Edo), and Sony Abang (Cross River).
Oda members include Larry Odey (Cross River), Charles Zuofa (Bayelsa), Nkereuwem Ebong(Akwa Ibom), Chika Chinedu (Rivers), Femi Oise (Edo), Charles Enukhowhate (Delta), Tijani Kaura(north-west), Tabitha Sallah (north-east), Yusuf Amao (north-central), Joseph Mmamal (south-east), and Bukonola Braimoh (south-west).
E remain for relevant committees of di Senate to screen and confam all dis appointments.
Who be Usoro Akpabio?
Dem born Usoro Offiong Akpabio on 10 June, 1983, for Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
She come from Ibibio ethnic group and attend primary and secondary schools for Uyo. She later get a degree in political science from one Nigerian university, and e equip her wit insights into governance, public policy, and community engagement.
For her undergraduate years, she bin take part in student unions and civic outreach projects, wey help her organisational and communication skills. All dis experiences give her good foundation for a career wey dey dedicated to regional growth and inclusive development.
Usoro Akpabio career don see her go through public administration, political strategy, and community development. After university, she join a state goment ministry as a policy analyst. Na dia she research rural infrastructure challenges and propose practical solutions to improve road access and school facilities. Her good work here make her to join various task forces wey focuse on youth empowerment and women health.
She also play vital roles for political campaigns and planning committees as she advise local candidates, help dem connect with grassroots communities as she listen well and translate dia needs into ogbonge campaign promises.
Within a few years, her network grow across di South South geopolitical zone. Her work on small-scale solar power projects and vocational training centres show her belief say sustainable progress dey come wen communities dey empowered wit skills and resources.
By her late thirties, she don get reputation as a changemaker wey dey turn bold ideas into workable plans.
Beyond her public work, Usoro get close ties wit her family and home community. She give credit to her parents for giving her a sense of service and discipline.
Usoro dey balance her busy schedule wit personal hobbies. She love African dance and traditional drumming, activities she say dey keep her connected to her heritage. She also like to read biographies of women leaders around di world, to draw lessons from dia perseverance.
Close friends note say her ability to listen deeply and offer thoughtful advice, make her a valued confidante. Even amid demanding work, she still get time for quiet reflection and community volunteering, weda na to mentor young women wey get interest in politics or to support local health awareness campaigns.
Wetin be SSDC?
Di South South Development Commission (SSDC) na one of di newly established bodies wey dia aim na to drive infrastructure improvements, social services, and economic opportunities across di six states of Nigeria oil-rich South South region, wit headquarters for Uyo, di Akwa Ibom State capital.
Di SSDC represent ogbonge effort by di Nigerian goment to address long-standing development gaps and to ensure say resource revenues translate into real progress for local communities.
Di Senate go review her nomination bifor dem go give di final confamation. If approved, she go lead an eighteen-member board wey get four core priorities:
1. Improve roads and power supply.
2. Empower youths and women through skills training.
3. Foster sustainable economic ventures such as local agriculture and tourism.
4. Partner wit both local agencies and international organisations to secure funding and expertise.
Her role go involve coordinating wit state govnors, traditional rulers, and civil society groups to design projects wey reflect local aspirations. She go also oversee project selection, budget management, and performance monitoring to ensure transparency and accountability.
As di SSDC first Managing Director, she dey face di challenge of turning an ambitious regional blueprint into tangible improvements like paved roads, reliable schools, accessible healthcare, and thriving small businesses.