—— Urges the region to shift from consumption based spending to investment focused development
The South East Vision 2050 (SEV2050) Stakeholders’ Forum, themed “Charting a Shared Path to Sustainable Prosperity for the South East,” entered its second day on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in Enugu, with renewed calls for regional collaboration, industrial growth and the conversion of ideas into measurable development outcomes.
Day Two of the three-day forum was formally opened by the Chairman of the Board of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Chief Dr. Emeka Nwogu (CON), who expressed profound appreciation to Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima (GCON) for representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) at the high-level gathering.
Chief Nwogu also acknowledged the presence of South East governors, representatives of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, senators, former ministers and other prominent stakeholders from across the region. He commended President Tinubu for the swift establishment of the South East Development Commission, as well as the Deputy Speaker and members of the House for their proactive role in passing the enabling bill.
According to him, the commission is positioned to operate as a collaborative platform that will “engineer the prosperity of the South East” through unity of purpose and strategic partnerships.
In his address, the Managing Director of the SEDC, Mr. Mark Okoye, lauded the President and South East governors for supporting the creation of the commission, describing it as a turning point in the region’s development journey. He emphasized that true transformation in the South East must be driven by industrialisation, agriculture, tourism, global integration and strong regional collaboration.
Mr. Okoye stressed that development efforts must move beyond theoretical discussions to practical and bankable projects capable of attracting investment and delivering tangible impact. He also acknowledged the Ministry of Regional Development under the leadership of Engr. Abubakar Momoh for its support, noting that regions only progress when ideas are converted into actionable development initiatives. “Government must set the goals, while the diaspora brings capital. SEV2050 is not a forum for rivalry but a platform for charting a collective path to prosperity,” he stated.
Delivering a keynote address on “Regional Development as a Pillar of National Economic Transformation,” the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, thanked President Tinubu for establishing the SEDC and commended Vice President Shettima for attending the forum. He noted that stronger connectivity among South East states would accelerate regional development and deepen economic transformation.
He reaffirmed that SEV2050 provides a strategic pathway to mobilise citizens and stakeholders towards long-term regional growth, urging the commission to prioritise mega projects capable of transforming the economic landscape of the South East.
Also speaking, a representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mrs. Akuaba, who came from Ghana, expressed the agency’s readiness to partner with the South East in advancing sustainable development. She described the region as a “test case” for how shared human and natural resources can be strategically harnessed for prosperity.
Mrs. Akuaba stressed the importance of long-term capital projects, investment-driven growth and the conversion of vision into daily development routines. She observed that while Nigerians are highly talented, gaps in connectivity and productivity continue to hinder progress.
Representing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prof. Julius Iyamere underscored the urgency of regional development, thanking the President and Vice President for their commitment to national progress.
In separate goodwill messages, South East governors and their representatives echoed strong support for the SEV2050 agenda. The Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Chike Olengbe, speaking on behalf of Governor Hope Uzodinma, emphasized that history would judge leaders not by speeches but by practical development efforts.
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Oti (OFR), highlighted the importance of energy infrastructure in driving regional growth, citing Aba’s improved power supply through the Aba Geometric energy project as a model of localized electricity generation. He stressed that sustainable development in the South East must be anchored on reliable energy systems.
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, called for a regional consensus development plan rather than fragmented individual state efforts. He urged stakeholders to focus on real investments that promote shared regional prosperity.
Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, spoke on the need for agricultural expansion, solid mineral development, technological advancement and structural transformation as core pillars of regional industrial strategy. He advocated for a regional compact that would drive inclusive prosperity across the South East.
Host Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State, commended President Tinubu for recognising regions as critical economic units in Nigeria’s development architecture. He noted that while the South East is culturally unified, it remains structurally fragmented, calling for a transition from agreements to concrete action. “Economies do not integrate on paper; they integrate through movement,
there is a need for the birth of a South East Common Market — a bold, borderless integration of our commerce, talent, infrastructure, and industrial capacity — because the global economy now rewards regions that organise, integrate, and act at scale. Vision 2050 must move beyond fine words to execution, starting with bankable cross-state projects, integrated logistics corridors, coordinated regional security, and aligned investment rules. This is not about prestige or rivalry; it is about building systems that can hold our ambition, create jobs, and secure shared prosperity for the South East, starting now. History will not judge what we said today, but what we do next.” Governor Mbah stated, urging stakeholders to translate consensus into infrastructure, trade flows and regional connectivity.
In his address, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima thanked South East leaders, lawmakers, ministers and stakeholders for their commitment to the region’s development. He praised Governor Mbah for his infrastructural strides in Enugu State and acknowledged the development efforts of other South East governors.
Speaking on “Federal Commitment to Regional Development: Aligning National Policy, Resources and Political Will for SEV2050,” the Vice President announced presidential approval for the establishment of a South East Industrial Company, aimed at accelerating industrial growth and economic expansion in the region.
He affirmed that the South East occupies a central position in Nigeria’s development framework and stressed that progress must move from abstract policy ideas to a shared, practical path toward prosperity.
Other prominent speakers and dignitaries at the event included the Senior Special Adviser to the Vice President on Regional Development, Mrs. Temitope Marshal; UBA Group Managing Director; Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Ohaneze Ndi Igbo President-General, Senator Azuta Mbata; MAN South East Chairman, Lady Dr. Adaora Chukwu; Director of Projects at SEDC, Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu; Deputy President-General of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Okey Nwadinobi; and traditional rulers led by HRM Igwe Samuel Asadu.
The forum continued with policy dialogues and stakeholders engagements aimed at producing actionable strategies to drive the long-term economic transformation of the South East region.
The event was broadcast live by Freedom Square TV, ensuring wide regional and national participation.