By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – In a strategic move to strengthen grassroots development and tackle multidimensional poverty, the House of Representatives last week inaugurated the Committee on Community and Social Development/NG-CARES at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Presided over by the Deputy Chief Whip, Rep. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka, on behalf of Speaker Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, the inauguration drew participation from committee members, development partners, and officials of the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA).
This was contained in a statement signed by the Spokesman, House of Representatives, Rep Akin Rotimi Jr., made available to Precise Post on Sunday in Abuja.
According to the statement, Speaker Abbas, in his address, underscored the centrality of community-driven interventions to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth, describing them as essential vehicles for inclusive development and societal cohesion.
“Community and social development occupy a foundational place in the architecture of national advancement. They serve as primary conduits to actualise inclusive growth, distributive equity, and societal cohesion,” he stated.
Committee Chairman, Rep. Abubakar Yahaya Kusada (APC, Katsina), framed the event as more than a formal launch—it was a call to action. He pledged the committee’s commitment to proactive oversight, collaborative engagement, and measurable results.
“This committee will not merely monitor. It will actively engage. We will collaborate with stakeholders at all levels, amplify community voices, and ensure our oversight translates into real, measurable outcomes,” he affirmed.
Tasked with reviewing and recommending policies that improve the well-being of rural and peri-urban communities—who represent nearly half of Nigeria’s population—the committee will oversee key agencies like the CSDA and NG-CARES, both of which are pivotal in delivering localised infrastructure, education, and livelihood support.
CSDA initiatives have so far reached over 23 million Nigerians in 29 states, while the NG-CARES programme, backed by the World Bank, has impacted more than two million people through grants, social transfers, and basic services.
The establishment of this committee signals a renewed legislative focus on community-centred development, data-driven action, and transparent governance. It also reaffirms the House’s constitutional responsibility to champion inclusive growth and deepen public trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
