SEDC director, Barr. Ugo Agballah (Middle), flanked by other stakeholders at the event
From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
A four-day regional stakeholders’ forum aimed at charting a unified and coercive socio-economic development pathway for the South East zone, leveraging its vast natural deposits, favourable climate and abundant human resources, commenced Tuesday in Enugu.
The forum, tagged “South East Vision 2050 Regional Stakeholders Forum (SEV2050)”, is a strategic initiative designed to reposition the region as a global industrial and investment hub by the year 2050. Participants include representatives of the governments of the five South Eastern states, the private sector, political leaders, captains of industry, members of the diaspora with vested interests in regional development, as well as officials of the Federal Government.
Expectations are high that the forum will produce a workable and widely acceptable development framework endorsed by the private sector, South East governors, investors and other critical stakeholders. The document is expected to foster unified action for regional development, replacing the fragmented efforts that have historically undermined progress in the zone.
In his opening remarks, the Managing Director of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Dr. Mark Okoye, said the proposed roadmap is intended to shift the region away from disjointed development initiatives towards a coordinated and sustainable economic bloc. He explained that the South East’s limited landmass of about 29,000 square kilometres demands deliberate and highly integrated planning, especially in infrastructure development and industrialisation.
Dr. Okoye stressed that any meaningful vision for the region must place women, young professionals and the global diaspora at its core. He described the South East diaspora as a strategic asset whose expertise, networks and capital are critical to the success of the development agenda. According to him, “the signal sent by the physical and virtual presence of Igbo professional groups from across America, Europe, and Asia underscores a collective readiness to rebuild the regional economy.”
He also raised key concerns around energy, security and sustainable financing, noting that the region is grappling with an infrastructure deficit estimated at $10 billion. Okoye proposed that rather than competing individually for limited capital to fund small projects, the five South East states—Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo—should jointly pursue large-scale, bankable projects. He cited joint 600-megawatt power plants as an example of how regional collaboration could attract substantial investment and drive industrial growth.
The SEDC Managing Director further highlighted inefficiencies in the utilisation of remittances in the region. “While Nigeria receives approximately $22 billion in annual remittances, with an estimated $4 billion flowing into the Southeast, these funds remain largely fragmented,” he said.
He challenged stakeholders to explore mechanisms for pooling such resources into legacy infrastructure projects like regional gas pipelines and rail networks, rather than channeling them solely into individual consumption. He added that the success of the forum would ultimately be judged by clarity of outcomes and effective implementation, not attendance figures.
The Special Adviser to the President on Development Review, Mrs. Miriam Temitope Marshall, emphasised the need to align regional strengths with national development objectives. She argued that institutions alone cannot deliver meaningful change without strong political will and robust private sector collaboration. According to her, regional cooperation should be viewed as a means of strengthening, rather than diminishing, state autonomy, as prosperous regions provide stronger platforms for individual states to flourish.
Marshall further noted that Nigeria’s pursuit of inclusive growth is closely linked to empowering regions to develop in line with their unique assets. She described the Vision 2050 framework as a timely opportunity for the South East to consolidate its advantages while addressing structural challenges, with the ultimate aim of positioning the region as a competitive and investable destination within Nigeria and the global economy.
Representing the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Chidiebere Onyia, formally welcomed participants to what he described as a historic gathering. He conveyed the Governor’s full commitment to the Vision 2050 objectives, describing the forum as a defining milestone in the collective development journey of the South East.
Professor Onyia noted that Enugu State was honoured to host the maiden edition of the forum and had made comprehensive arrangements to ensure a safe and productive environment for delegates. He acknowledged the presence of development partners, financial institutions and policy experts, stressing that their contributions are vital to navigating the region’s complex socio-economic realities.
While acknowledging the region’s immense human capital and resilience, Onyia said unlocking its full potential requires strong policy coordination and shared infrastructure. He maintained that no single state can achieve transformational growth in isolation, making regional integration indispensable. This, he said, is the only way to overcome the “fragmented efforts” that have previously constrained development.
According to him, the Enugu State Government subscribes to a people-centred, innovation-driven and private sector-led development model, which aligns with the objectives of the South East Development Commission. He expressed optimism that deliberations at the forum would culminate in a unified, data-driven agenda focused on practical solutions to the region’s most pressing challenges.
Discussions at the forum also underscored the importance of building resilient institutions capable of withstanding leadership transitions. Both Okoye and Onyia stressed the need to institutionalise reforms to ensure continuity of the regional development plan and prevent what they described as “motion without movement” in public sector initiatives.
Technical sessions continue today, focusing on priority sectors such as agriculture, the digital economy and transportation. High-level engagements involving the Federal Government are also expected, reinforcing national alignment with the South East’s economic aspirations. The final roadmap from the forum is expected to serve as the guiding framework for the region’s development over the next 25 years.
