VP Shettima pledges jobs, infrastructure, and diaspora investment for regional growth.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday in Enugu inaugurated a 25-year development blueprint for the South-East, calling the region a key pillar of Nigeria’s economic future.
As part of the plan, President Bola Tinubu approved the creation of the South East Investment Company Ltd, designed to mobilise resources from the diaspora, capital markets, and development finance institutions. The company will collaborate with the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) to address infrastructure gaps and drive long-term growth.
“This is not another layer of bureaucracy. It’s a delivery-focused institution aimed at creating jobs, boosting productivity, and enhancing regional competitiveness,” Shettima said, urging young people to play an active role in shaping the South-East’s future.
Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi) endorsed the vision, highlighting plans for a South-East common market, poverty reduction, and unlocking opportunities in agriculture, education, and solid minerals. Mbah described the blueprint as “the awakening of an economic giant,” while Nwifuru pledged full support for its implementation.
The forum brought together federal and state governments, traditional leaders, the private sector, civil society, and the diaspora, including Umu Igbo Unite, a US-based network of 10,000 young professionals, reinforcing the region’s global development potential.
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