Tinubu Congratulates Okoye Amid Senate Fund Scrutiny

President Bola Tinubu congratulated Mark Okoye, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), on his 40th birthday, despite ongoing scrutiny from the Nigerian Senate regarding allegations of mismanagement of a ₦16.6 billion budget allocation. The Senate is investigating financial infractions, including a failure to properly account for approximately ₦3.6 billion and a questionable expenditure of ₦153 million for an Abuja liaison office.

In a statement released on Sunday, June 14, 2026, by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu acknowledged Okoye's 14-year unblemished record in public service and encouraged him to continue his efforts in managing the SEDC. The Senate committee, chaired by Orji Uzor Kalu, has given Okoye until June 23 to submit a comprehensive document addressing the disputed funds.