A Niger Delta advocacy group, the 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience, also known as 21st CYNDAC, has appealed to the National Assembly to fast-track the consideration and approval of the 2025 budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission to allow the Commission scale up development efforts across the region.

The call was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the group’s Coordinator, Izon Ebi, who said the prompt passage of the budget would enable the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, to fully implement his renewed development strategy and extend projects to all beneficiary communities in the Niger Delta.

According to the group, timely legislative action would further empower the NDDC leadership to deepen its intervention programmes and deliver tangible development outcomes across the oil-producing states.

The group recalled that the NDDC, on December 30, 2025, presented its 2025 budget proposal, estimated at ₦1.75 trillion, to the Senate and the House of Representatives for consideration and approval.

While explaining the proposal, Ogbuku had stated that the 2025 budget estimate represents a reduction of about nine per cent when compared with the ₦1.985 trillion proposed and appropriated for the 2024 fiscal year.

He explained that the ₦1.75 trillion budget proposal comprises ₦776.5 billion as the Federal Government’s contribution, ₦752.8 billion expected from oil companies, ₦109.4 billion as revenue brought forward from 2024, ₦53.67 billion as recoveries from Federal Government agencies, and ₦8.35 billion as internally generated revenue.

21st CYNDAC commended Ogbuku’s leadership of the Commission, describing him as having transformed the NDDC into “a beacon of renewed hope” for the Niger Delta region.

The group said it was impressed by what it described as Ogbuku’s charismatic leadership style, strong grassroots engagement and renewed developmental drive, which it noted are in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to the statement, Ogbuku’s extensive consultations with traditional rulers and other stakeholders across the Niger Delta have helped the Commission identify the priority needs of local communities and strengthened collaboration in tackling crude oil theft.

The group added that these engagements have also contributed to a noticeable reduction in criminal activities within the oil and gas sector across parts of the region.

The statement further highlighted the NDDC’s partnership with the World Health Organization on health insurance schemes and medical outreach programmes targeted at underserved communities.

It also noted improvements in the monitoring and supervision of projects, as well as the deployment of solar-powered streetlights across several communities, which the group said has enhanced security and boosted night-time economic activities.

The group urged members of the National Assembly to act swiftly on the 2025 NDDC budget, stressing that timely approval would further promote development, peace and stability in the Niger Delta.

It also announced that it had conferred on Ogbuku the award of “Extraordinary Leader of 2025 in the Niger Delta Region” in recognition of his leadership and contributions to regional development.