The board of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) has concluded its third extraordinary meeting, reviewing the commission’s 2025 performance and approving its strategic outlook for 2026.

The meeting, which also served as the board’s final statutory session for 2025, was held on Friday and chaired by Dr. Emeka Wogu, Chairman, SEDC board

The board reviewed the commission’s programme implementation, institutional performance, and strategic engagements undertaken in 2025.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, SEDC, Mark Okoye, described 2025 as a foundational year focused on building systems, governance structures, and partnerships for long-term regional impact.

Okoye expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for supporting the establishment and operationalisation of the commission.

He also acknowledged the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh and the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, for their guidance and collaboration during the year.

Okoye commended South-East governors for their support, singling out Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu state for providing office space to serve as the commission’s headquarters.

He also thanked board members, executive directors, civil servants, and support staff for their contributions throughout the year.

The board noted achievements recorded in 2025, including the development of governance and administrative frameworks and the establishment of internal management and advisory committees.

It also noted strategic engagements with federal ministries, departments and agencies, development finance institutions, state governments, private sector leaders, and the south-east diaspora.

The board said progress was made on the south-east regional development plan and the conceptualisation of major infrastructure and economic programmes.

It added that steps had been taken toward relocating the commission’s core operations to Enugu in early 2026.

Following deliberations, the board endorsed the 2025 year-in-review report presented by the managing director.

The board approved operational priorities for the first half of 2026, including full transition to the Enugu headquarters.

It also approved the activation of priority programmes such as the South-East Venture Capital Programme, the M. I. Okpara fellowship, the South-East Investment Company, and the Project Preparation Facility.

The board approved the commencement of stakeholder consultations and technical work on the south-east regional development plan.

It further approved measures to strengthen institutional capacity through targeted recruitment.

The board noted the fiscal realities and national policy environment outlined in the 2026 call circular.

It commended management for maintaining partnerships with development finance institutions, federal agencies, state governments, and private sector partners.

The board directed its standing committees to continue providing oversight across environment, projects and partnerships, commercial and industrial development, diversity and inclusion, finance, security, and legal matters.

The board expressed confidence in the commission’s readiness to roll out visible programmes in 2026.

Early priorities for 2026 include the operationalisation of the Enugu headquarters and the launch of flagship human capital and innovation programmes.

The board also prioritised the activation of bankable infrastructure projects and strengthened collaboration with Southeast state governments.

It said expanded engagement with the diaspora and private sector would be pursued to unlock co-financing and investment opportunities.

“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,” Wogu said.

“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,” Okoye said.

The board reaffirmed its commitment to supporting management in building a transparent and high-performing development institution.

The board thanked partners, stakeholders, and residents of the south-east, expressing optimism that 2026 would be defined by delivery and measurable impact.