Ohanaeze Partners with SEDC to Boost Economic Development in Igboland

By Anayo Okoli

ENUGU — Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the South East Development Commission (SEDC) have launched a partnership aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth and regional integration in the South‑East.

The collaboration is spearheaded by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Council of Igbo Business Leaders, chaired by Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa. The council intends to create opportunities that will help reduce youth unemployment and address other social challenges in the region.

During a meeting in Enugu, Chairman Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa emphasized the need for the Ndigbo community to prioritize investment in the South‑East. “Our region has suffered so much over a long time, combined with several other historical, political, social and economic factors,” he said.

Ohuabunwa explained that the council’s mandate includes identifying and mentoring young Igbo entrepreneurs for large‑scale ventures, unifying the business community’s voice in Igboland, and promoting market development across the region. He called for stronger synergy between the council, the SEDC, and other stakeholders to drive economic transformation.

“This is the opportunity we long wished for. I must thank Mr Mark Okoye for responding quickly to our letter and the board and management for approving this meeting,” he stated.

The council reviewed its terms of reference and concluded that its primary responsibility is to collaborate with governments and regional development agencies to advance economic growth and improve living conditions in Igboland. “The first assignment of the council was to review the terms of reference, and after exhaustive debate it became clear to us that what Ohanaeze Ndigbo essentially wants us to do is to work with governments in our region and with agencies charged with regional development to support enhanced economic development in Igboland,” he said.

Ohuabunwa lamented years of neglect in the South‑East, noting that this has contributed to rising youth unemployment and increasing social problems. “Our people have been widely dispersed all over Nigeria where they have made significant contributions to the social and economic development of those regions. Over time, it has resulted in apparent neglect of our region in terms of economic and social development. Youth unemployment became rife and there have been troubling upticks in social malfeasance,” he added.

The council plans to guide Igbo investors seeking opportunities in the South‑East and ensure alignment with the investment plans and policies of state governments and the SEDC. “We need to understand the investment plans and policies of the state governments and the South East Development Commission so that we can correctly represent the issues and guide against misinformation or mischief,” he said.

In his remarks, SEDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mark Okoye thanked the council for the initiative and called for deeper collaboration to reposition the region economically. Okoye urged the council to leverage its business network and expertise to support investment mobilisation, diaspora engagement, venture capital development, small and medium‑scale enterprises, capacity building, and policy advisory initiatives across the South‑East.

The post Ohanaeze, SEDC partner on economic development in Igboland appeared first on Vanguard News.