The newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC) bears a renewed hope for accelerated development of a long neglected region.
Since 2017, federal lawmakers from the south-east geopolitical zone made several unsuccessful attempts to create the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
However, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia) led others to reignite the effort through a bill brought forward in 2023. With the support of his colleagues from the region as co-sponsors, who helped to galvanize support from other colleagues in the House, the bill eventually got the nod of the parliament.
On July 24, 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed the SEDC bill into law, emphasising his commitment to build the Nigeria nation-state on a fulcrum of fairness, equity, and unity.
SEDC: Objectives of a development vehicle
The key objectives of the commission includes equitable development, inclusive governance, and the provision of qualitative service. The focus is on the building and rehabilitation of infrastructure like roads, bridges and tackling of ecological problems, and other related environmental or developmental challenges in the south-east states of Enugu, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi and Anambra.
The mandate of the SEDC
According to the establishment Act, the South East Development Commission (SEDC) is charged with the responsibility, among other things, to receive and manage funds allocated from the federation account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructural damages suffered by the region as a result of the effect of the civil war as well as tackle the ecological problems confronting the zone. Part of the mandate is to serve as a catalyst for the development of the commercial potential of the south east zone; create and implement a master plan for the region’s socio-economic development; and drive sustainable development and economic growth, and strategic investment.
The mission of the SEDC
The mission of the SEDC is to offer a lasting solution to the socio-economic difficulties of the south-east region and to facilitate its rapid and sustainable development into a place that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful. The Commission aims to drive sustainable development, economic growth, strategic investment and empowerment initiatives, while seeking collaboration with the five state governors in achieving these objectives.
The Board of the SEDC
The SEDC is made of an 18 member board comprising the following persons: Dr. Emeka Nworgu (chairman), Hon. Mark C. Okoye (Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer), Rt. Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka (ED Finance), Rt Hon. Toby Okechukwu ( ED Projects), Dr. Clifford Ogbede ( ED Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development), and Chief Daniel Akwari. Others include; Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Chidi Echeazu, Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu Ph.D, Nasiru Usman, Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, Edward David Onoja, Orure Kufre Inima, Chief (Mrs) Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma, Chief Sylvester Okonkwo (ED Corporate Services), and Sen. Anthony Agbo (ED Commercial and Industrial Development).
Mark Okoye, MD/CEO of the SEDC
Hon. Mark Okoye is the pioneer Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SEDC commission.
He was appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency in September, 2022. Prior to his appointment, he served the previous Anambra state government as the commissioner for economic planning and budget and development partners. He has been actively involved in the creation of a wide array of policies and reform programmes. His commitment to implementing social development programs across the state earned him various recognitions from state, national and global organisations. He was one of the youngest political appointees in Anambra’s history. Mark Okoye is a graduate of George Washington University.
Dr. Emeka Nworgu, Chairman SEDC Board
Dr Emeka Wogu has a long political and public service trajectory dating back to 1993 when he served as local government chairman in Abia state. He was later elected to the Federal House of Representatives in 1998. He also represented Abia State for two terms as commissioner at the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission. He served as the Minister of Labour and Productivity from 2010 to 2014. He has won many meritorious awards and recognitions.
Hon. Toby Okechukwu, ED, Projects
Hon. Okechukwu started his career in the private sector before dabbling into politics. He was appointed special adviser to former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, where he coordinated the senator’s many interventions and projects in the Enugu west senatorial district and the south-east generally.
He was later elected three times into the House of Representatives as a member of the the 7th, 8th and 9th assemblies, representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency of Enugu state on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was chairman, House committee on works in the 8th House of Representatives and later elected as Deputy Minority Leader of the 9th House. The ex-lawmaker was very vibrant, outspoken especially on national issues.
Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka, E.D Finance
Stanley Ohajuruka served as a two-term member and Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly from May 2000 to 2007. He also represented the Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South federal constituencies of Abia State in the 6th National Assembly as a member of the House of Representatives. He was also acting Governor of Abia State at various times. During these times, he ensured the smooth running of government operations and implementation of policies and programs, provided leadership and guidance to government officials and civil servants, as well as addressing the concerns and needs of the resident of Abia State.
Cliff Ogbede, E.D. Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development
Cliff Ogbede is a seasoned administrator, educationist, business man, diplomat and politician. He has a rich trajectory in partisan politics, public service and humanitarian contributions over the last three decades. He has served in various capacities, including special adviser in the office of the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives between May 2011 and 2015, the election committee for the All Progressives Council (APC) primary elections in Ekiti State in 2022, the APC presidential campaign council for the 2023 general elections. It was from his pivotal role as special adviser on special duties to the incumbent Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives that he was appointed and cleared by the senate to become a pioneer Executive Director of the SEDC.
Rep Nkwonta, Chairman House Committee on SEDC
Rep. Chris Nkwonta, representing the Ukwa West/East federal constituency at the House of Representatives, is the pioneer chairman of the House Committee on SEDC. He was appointed chairman of the House Committee on Climate Change, a position he held for more than a year.
Rep. Nkwonta once contested for the Abia south senatorial district on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2011 but later withdrew citing injustice and lack of transparency in the party primaries. The Abia Rep believes in youth empowerment and infrastructural development. Interestingly, Nkwonta who got elected to the federal House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP on October, 2, 2024 defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC). He is a first term lawmaker and sponsored three bills according to OrderPaper Scorecard between June 2023 to May 2024.
Inauguration of House Committee on SEDC
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, had on 25 February 2025 inaugurated the House Committee on the SEDC.
Abbas said the committee’s inauguration reflects a collective commitment to ensuring the south-east receives the development and investment it deserves. He stated that the commission was created to drive recovery, modernisation, and progress, positioning the region as a hub for innovation, commerce, and industrial growth.
“I charge this committee to ensure the commission hits the ground running by prioritising infrastructure, supporting industries, developing human capital, and fostering peace and security. This is not just about policy oversight; it is about improving the lives of millions who look to us for leadership and tangible solutions,” Rep Abbas stated.
Rep. Nkwonta in his remarks stated: “As a committee, our mandate is clear: we oversee all matters concerning the South-East Development Commission. Our focus is on ensuring that every intervention delivers lasting value and tangible benefits to the people of the south-east.”
He stressed the need for accountability, ensuring the commission remains transparent and meets the trust and expectations of Nigerians. “In our oversight duties, we will enforce strict scrutiny to guarantee transparency and effectiveness in all commission activities,” he said.
SEDC Budget Presentation
The House Committee on the SEDC on 3rd March 2025 approved the sum of N250 billion as 2025 budget of the Commission, expressing optimism that it will mark the beginning of developing the area which has been neglected for over 54 years after the civil war.
