South East Development: Strategic Partnerships or Misplaced Priorities?
posted 18th February 2025
South East Development: Strategic Partnerships or Misplaced Priorities?
The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has taken a significant step towards advancing regional development by engaging with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria. During their recent discussions, key areas for collaboration were outlined, including the formulation of the South East Development Plan and investments in agriculture, energy, innovation, and the creative and digital economy. However, as promising as these engagements may seem, some opinion leaders, including Daily Justice, have raised critical concerns about the direction and priorities of the SEDC.
History offers valuable lessons on effective regional development. The original South East development initiatives led to landmark economic projects such as Nkalagu Cement Industry, Golden Guinea Brewery, and farm settlements, which created employment and self-sufficiency. These projects were not mere paper strategies; they were tangible developments that transformed the South East economy. Critics argue that a review of these past successes should inform current strategies rather than wasting resources on unnecessary consultancy that often yields little practical benefit.
In today’s digital economy, uninterrupted broadband and stable power supply are essential drivers of progress. The absence of reliable infrastructure continues to stifle business growth and discourage investment in the South East. Rather than excessive discussions with global organisations like the UNDP, stakeholders suggest that the SEDC should focus on practical engagements that directly benefit the region’s economic landscape.
Opinion leaders are calling for a shift in focus towards technology and infrastructure. There is a growing sentiment that instead of engaging primarily with the UNDP, SEDC should prioritise meetings with Starlink executives and other tech giants to drive broadband penetration. High-speed internet access is critical for innovation, the digital economy, and the empowerment of young entrepreneurs in the region.
Similarly, addressing power shortages should be a top priority. Without a reliable power supply, businesses, industries, and innovation hubs will continue to struggle. Investing in renewable energy, mini-grids, and off-grid solutions should take precedence over broad development talks with international agencies that may not fully grasp the region’s urgent needs.
A word of caution has also been raised regarding partnerships with organisations like USAID, which some stakeholders believe may not always have the best interests of the South East at heart. Development aid, if not carefully structured, can create dependency rather than sustainable growth. The focus should be on self-sufficiency, industrial revival, and economic independence rather than aid-driven initiatives that may lack long-term impact.
For the South East to achieve real economic transformation, practical, result-oriented action must replace bureaucratic engagements. SEDC must prioritise direct investments in infrastructure, technology, and industrial revival while learning from past development successes. Strategic collaborations should focus on tangible projects with measurable outcomes, ensuring that resources are channelled effectively to meet the pressing needs of the region.
The people of the South East demand and deserve a development approach that delivers real progress, not just endless dialogue. The time for action is now.
