South East Governors Commit N25bn to Development Projects

Governors from the five South East states, including Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, have resolved to inject an additional N25 billion into the South East Development Commission's (SEDC) budget for the 2026 fiscal year. This move, disclosed by Orji Uzor Kalu, the chairman of the Senate Committee on the SEDC, aims to fast-track development projects across the region.

The total proposed allocation for the SEDC in 2026 is N140 billion, with the governors' contribution expected to raise this to N165 billion. Kalu emphasized that this augmentation follows consultations with governors and stakeholders, highlighting the necessity of intervention due to the SEDC receiving minimal funding in 2025, which led to the suspension of several strategic projects.

The additional funding is intended to restore development momentum, particularly in health and education sectors, and to address infrastructural deficits and socio-economic challenges in the South East.