SEDC: Fulfillment Of Igbo Aspiration In Nigeria
Posted on February 2, 2026
At the end of the avoidable and regrettable Biafra – Nigeria Civil War in 1970, the then military head of state – General Yakubu Gowon, announced: a no victor – no vanquished outcome but which fell short of addressing the pressing needs of a region devasted economically, socially, infrastructurally and more by the ill-fated war.
The No Victor No Vanquished slogan was accompanied by a broader policy of “Reconciliation, Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation” (the 3Rs programme) aimed at rebuilding the war-torn eastern region and restoring a sense of belonging to the defeated Biafrans.
Despite the noble intent of the rhetoric, the implementation was flawed, and it became more of grandstanding because the same government implemented policies, such as the “20 Pounds Policy,” which limited withdrawals from pre-war bank accounts to a flat sum of £20 per person, regardless of their actual balance. This effectively pauperized the Igbo middle class.
Equally, many Igbos returning to other parts of Nigeria found their properties declared “abandoned” and reallocated, which created lasting grievances and a perception of marginalization.
The Igbo people continued to grapple with political and economic exclusion in the decades after the war, which led to persistent feelings of being treated as conquered people, thus undermining the true spirit of the “no victor, no vanquished” declaration.
Successive administrations paid lip service to the issue and some even laboured to entrech it.
The situation was so bad that it gave rise to fresh agitations for the actualization of state of Biafra.
However, the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu – a broad-minded leader as the president of Nigeria, brought a ray of hope as the story changed with the initiation of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and the consequent signing of the establishment bill into law in July 2024.
SEDC was designed to address long-standing grievances and developmental gaps in the Southeast region.
The commission is specifically tasked with the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure including houses and roads damaged during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) – it is indeed, a historic fulfillment of the “3Rs” (Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction) promised by General Yakubu Gowon over 50 years ago.
President Tinubu also approved the creation of the South-East Investment Company (SEIC) as a subsidiary of the SEDC, with an initial capital base of ₦150 billion. This entity aims to mobilize private sector funds and spearhead transformative economic initiatives to boost regional competitiveness.
A primary mandate of the SEDC is to tackle the severe erosion and ecological problems that have devastated many communities across the five South Eastern states (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo).
According to the presidency: “Establishing the SEDC reflects a commitment to building a nation on fairness and equity, ensuring that every geo-political zone receives focused federal attention and “Renewed Hope” dividends.
“By creating a dedicated agency to manage funds for the region’s specific needs, the administration aims to soothe long-standing feelings of marginalisation and reduce secessionist tensions.”
The SEDC is now part of a broader strategy of bottom-up development of the Southeast.
Currently, the South East Development Commission (SEDC) plans to fast-track the development of Nigeria’s Southeast zone by transitioning from a “one-state” approach to a “one-region, one-market” economic strategy. Tasked with reversing decades of infrastructure deficits and ecological damage, the SEDC aims to grow the region’s economy from $40 billion to $200 billion in 10 years (by 2035) through strategic investments in infrastructure, agriculture, and industrialization.
Pursuant to the foregoing, the South East Development Commission (SEDC) Vision 2050 conference in Enugu (Feb 3-6, 2026) is critical as it gathers regional, state, and federal stakeholders to create a 25-year roadmap, with the goal of transforming the Southeast into an industrial, innovative hub.
With the SEV2050 Conference for Regional Development, the Southeast region moves away from fragmented projects to a cohesive 25-year development framework (SEV2050). It aims to shift the region’s trajectory through deliberate, long-term planning.
The SEV2050 Conference will be attended by governors, federal officials, private sector leaders, civil society, youth groups, and the diaspora to build consensus on development priorities with goals to turn the region into “Japan of Africa,” while focusing on becoming an industrial powerhouse. It will equally serve as a platform to engage development partners and secure funding for projects.
Key sectors targeted include infrastructure, agricultural industrialization, youth empowerment, and climate resilience. There is also specific, data-driven planning for agricultural value chains.
All in all, the initiative aligns with the “Renewed Hope Agenda,” and facilitates federal support for projects in the Southeast.
The conference equally aims at rallying the region around a shared development conversation, encouraging collective action.
It will also drive development by fostering collaboration, identifying priority projects in infrastructure and agriculture, and attracting investment to achieve a sustainable $200 billion regional economy.
The event, holding at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, marks a significant step in SEDC’s effort to create an “investable vehicle” for the region.
– Hon. Prince Ben AHANONU, is a public policy analyst, motivational speaker, publisher and columnist.
.
Related posts
