People To Watch In 2025: Abubakar Momoh, The Visionary Minister Of Regional Development

For much of January, the echoes of “Happy New Year” will still resonate across various aspects of life. In offices, it becomes a recurring chant as people return to work, much like in schools, among business associates, and in countless other interactions. But why does this tradition persist so strongly? What makes the New Year so special?

The answer lies in its role as more than just a calendar milestone. Beyond any external obligations, the New Year serves as a universal reset—a “default timer of consciousness.” It’s a moment that encourages us to pause, reflect on our past actions, re-evaluate our goals, and set our sights on a brighter and more purposeful year ahead. This sense of renewal and possibility is what makes the New Year such a cherished and enduring celebration.

Nigerians, like others around the globe, are looking forward to key figures shaping their future.

In our series “Who to Watch in 2025,” today we turn the spotlight on Hon. Abubakar Momoh, the Minister of Regional Development. This ministry, one of the newest in Nigeria’s governance structure, was established to coordinate the activities of the various developmental commissions, driving sustainable and inclusive growth across the nation.

The Ministry of Regional Development is tasked with the monumental responsibility of fostering progress across the federation. Saying that Nigerians have high expectations for this ministry in 2025 would be an understatement. Citizens are eager to see how its policies and projects will address pressing challenges, bridge developmental gaps, and improve the quality of life across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Before diving into the expectations for the Ministry of Regional Development, it’s essential to explore the remarkable journey of Hon. Abubakar Momoh, the man at the helm.

Hon. Momoh began his political journey after a career as a lecturer, starting as a councillor and later becoming a Local Government Chairman. He subsequently progressed to the State House of Assembly and later served as an Honorable Member of the House of Representatives. Initially appointed as the Minister of Youths in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, he was later reassigned to the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, a ministry that was on the verge of dissolution at the time.

At the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, Hon. Momoh proved his competence and earned widespread acclaim for his transformative leadership and strategic vision. Recognizing his stellar performance, President Tinubu entrusted him with the Ministry of Regional Development, a crucial pillar of the Renewed Hope agenda.

Under Hon. Abubakar Momoh’s leadership, 2025 promises to be a year of transformative progress. From urban centers to rural communities, the Ministry of Regional Development is poised to spearhead initiatives that will redefine the nation’s developmental landscape.

The focus areas are vast and ambitious: improved infrastructure, accessible and quality healthcare, empowerment programs to boost entrepreneurship, and stronger intergovernmental collaboration. The ministry’s work is expected to ignite progress and deliver tangible benefits to citizens across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Under his stewardship, the Ministry of Regional Development is set to turn aspirations into action, ensuring that hope becomes a tangible reality for Nigerians everywhere. Keep an eye on this trailblazer—2025 is his year to make history.

Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah is the Principal and CEO of Bush Radio Academy.