South-East Governors Pledge N5bn Each for SEDC Budget

On Wednesday, the governors of the five South-East states announced a commitment of N5 billion each to support the proposed N140 billion budget for the South East Development Commission (SEDC) for the fiscal year 2026. This announcement was made during the presentation of the commission's 2026 budget report to the Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Orji Uzor Kalu.

The governors aim to address a funding shortfall recorded in 2025 and to ensure that the commission can effectively deliver impactful projects across the region. The initiative includes an additional N25 billion intervention fund to accelerate development in critical sectors such as health and education.

The Senate Committee, represented by Solomon Adeola and Moham Monguno, commended the governors' commitment, viewing it as a model for regional collaboration. This funding strategy is part of a broader plan to transform the South-East into a $200 billion economy within the next decade, focusing on large-scale investments in infrastructure and industrial projects.