The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has proposed the creation of a South East Common Market to unify the region’s five states into a single economic block. Speaking at the South East Vision 2025 (SEV2025) Regional Stakeholder Forum, Governor Mbah highlighted that treating the states as individual islands limits the region’s economic potential. He praised President Bola Tinubu for establishing the South East Development Commission (SEDC), noting that sustainable regional growth requires collaboration rather than isolated efforts.
Mbah explained that the South East could become an economic powerhouse by integrating its markets, infrastructure, and talent. He urged immediate action on logistics, transport, and security coordination to allow seamless movement of goods, people, and services across state lines. He stressed that development must be backed by proper planning, joint funding, and governance, while emphasizing the importance of aligning investment rules, regulatory standards, and dispute resolution processes to present a coherent regional front to investors.
Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, who officially opened the forum, described the South East Vision 2050 as a major shift from short-term plans that previously failed to deliver results. Shettima reaffirmed that the SEDC focuses on structural transformation, job creation, and long-term competitiveness, not just routine administration. He also announced the creation of the South East Investment Company Limited to mobilize resources from the diaspora, capital markets, and development finance institutions, working alongside the SEDC to bridge infrastructure gaps and drive regional growth.
The forum was attended by governors from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, and representatives from Imo State, as well as ministers, industry leaders, and international development partners. Governor Mbah concluded that a unified South East, operating as a single economic system, is essential to unlock the region’s potential, contribute to national growth, and compete effectively in the global economy.
