The board of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) has officially sanctioned the relocation of the commission’s core operational base to Enugu State, setting the stage for the launch of several key development programmes in the new year. This pivotal decision was reached during the board’s third extraordinary meeting, which also served as its final statutory session for 2025.
Chaired by Chief Emeka Wogu, the chairman of the SEDC board of trustees, the meeting provided an opportunity to review the commission’s foundational programme implementation, institutional performance, and strategic engagements throughout 2025. Mark Okoye, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the SEDC, described the past year as instrumental, focusing heavily on establishing robust systems, governance structures, and strategic partnerships essential for the commission’s long-term effectiveness.
Mr. Okoye extended appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support in establishing and operationalising the commission, as well as acknowledging the guidance and collaboration received from the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, and the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun. He further commended the governors of the South East region for their collective support, reserving special thanks for Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for facilitating the provision of the office space designated as the commission’s headquarters.
The board noted significant achievements in 2025, which included the successful development of comprehensive governance and administrative frameworks and the formal establishment of critical internal management and advisory committees. Strategic engagements were also highlighted, spanning federal ministries, departments and agencies, development finance institutions, state governments, private sector leaders, and the South East diaspora community. Furthermore, substantial progress was reported on the South-East Regional Development Plan and the conceptualisation phase of major economic and infrastructure programmes.
Following the thorough review, the board officially endorsed the 2025 year-in-review report presented by the Managing Director. Crucially, it approved the operational priorities for the first half of 2026, which mandate the complete transition to the new Enugu headquarters.
Looking ahead, the board gave the green light for the activation of several priority programmes, including the South-East Venture Capital Programme, the M. I. Okpara fellowship, the South-East Investment Company, and the Project Preparation Facility. Plans to strengthen the institution through targeted recruitment and the commencement of stakeholder consultations and technical work on the regional development plan were also endorsed.
Acknowledging the current fiscal realities and the national policy environment outlined in the 2026 call circular, the board commended the management team for maintaining strong partnerships across various sectors. Standing committees were directed to continue providing strategic oversight on critical areas such as finance, security, environment, projects, and commercial development.
Expressing confidence in the commission’s readiness, the board confirmed that 2026 will see the rollout of tangible and visible programmes. Early focus areas include operationalising the Enugu headquarters and launching flagship programmes in innovation and human capital development. The board stated that bankable infrastructure projects will be activated through the Project Preparation Facility and the Southeast Investment Company, promising strengthened collaboration with state governments on agro-industrial, social, and infrastructure programmes, while expanding diaspora and private sector engagement to unlock vital co-financing and investment opportunities.
Wogu articulated the significance of the move, stating, “In endorsing the Commission’s relocation to Enugu, the Board affirms that SEDC must remain firmly rooted in the region it was created to serve. This move is more than administrative; it is a symbolic and strategic step toward ensuring our work is directly felt by the communities whose future we are shaping.”
Mr. Okoye added a forward-looking perspective, noting, “The South East is ready for bankable projects. Our focus is to build credibility, structure, and partnerships that unlock long-term financing for transformational infrastructure.”
The SEDC board concluded by reaffirming its commitment to supporting management in fostering a high-performing, transparent, and disciplined development institution, expressing optimism that 2026 will be defined by measurable impact and delivery across the region.
