By Our Reporter
A decisive shift from diagnosis to action took centre stage in Enugu as political leaders, policymakers, investors and development partners converged for the Southeast Vision 2050 Regional Stakeholders’ Forum, a landmark gathering aimed at reshaping the economic future of Nigeria’s Southeast. The forum, attended by all the governors of the region, underscored a renewed collective resolve to pursue a shared development destiny anchored on production, industrialisation and long-term planning.
Delivering the keynote address, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, outlined a bold regional strategy titled “Feeding and Building the Southeast: A Regional Strategy for Agro and Solid Minerals-Led Industrialization.” He described the moment as a turning point for the region, stressing that the Southeast must move beyond conversations to coordinated execution.
The forum was further elevated by the presence of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, whose participation signalled federal recognition of the Southeast as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economic future. Governor Nwifuru also conveyed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his commitment to inclusive development, particularly through the creation of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), which is expected to accelerate regional growth and infrastructure delivery.
In his address, Governor Nwifuru laid out a practical and achievable pathway for transformation, identifying agriculture and solid minerals as the twin engines for value-added industrialization, job creation, food security and export competitiveness. According to him, the Southeast’s comparative advantage lies not only in what it produces or extracts, but in its capacity to process, industrialise and compete.
Drawing extensively from the Ebonyi State experience, the governor highlighted how focused investments in agriculture, agro-processing, rural infrastructure and mineral resource development can unlock shared prosperity. He cited the modernisation of Abakaliki Rice, reforms in land development, mechanisation initiatives and improved utilisation of solid minerals as examples of how sub-national leadership can drive economic growth with regional impact.
A major highlight of the forum was the unveiling of South-East Vision 2050, a 25-year development blueprint designed to move the region away from short-term governance cycles toward a structured, multi-decade agenda. The plan sets out a coordinated framework for industrialization, infrastructure development, human capital investment and environmental sustainability.
The Vice President also announced presidential approval for the establishment of the South East Investment Company Limited, a strategic vehicle expected to mobilise capital from the diaspora, domestic and
