Ohanaeze Commends Tinubu, National Assembly Over Approval of Southeast Investment Company
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has expressed strong appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of the National Assembly for the recent approval of the Southeast Investment Company (SEIC), a subsidiary of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
The group described the development as a historic breakthrough for the people of the region, noting that it signals a renewed commitment to addressing the long-standing economic marginalization of the South-East.
In a statement issued by its leadership, Ohanaeze praised President Tinubu for signing off on the creation of the SEIC and also acknowledged the pivotal role played by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who was instrumental in championing the legislative process that led to the commission’s formation.
The group noted that the approval of SEIC reflects a new chapter in Nigeria’s pursuit of inclusive development and justice.
The Southeast Investment Company has been approved with a capital base of ₦150 billion and is expected to function as a public-private partnership, designed to mobilize investments into key sectors including infrastructure, agriculture, industry, and entrepreneurship across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.
Initially fully owned by the SEDC, the company will later open up to participation from state governments, private investors, development institutions, and the Nigerian diaspora. It is expected to raise funds through a mix of equity, bonds, and callable capital, with a goal of long-term financial sustainability and strategic regional impact.
Ohanaeze described the creation of SEIC as a long-overdue effort to fulfill the abandoned promises of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction that followed the Nigerian civil war.
The organization stated that, for the first time in decades, a structured federal initiative is being directed toward tackling the economic challenges facing the South-East in a focused and meaningful way. It hailed SEIC as a tool for regional revival, comparable in spirit to the old Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation (ENDC), which once drove industrial growth in the region during the First Republic.
Deputy Speaker Kalu welcomed the federal approval as a significant victory for the region, saying it represents a practical step toward building a future of economic stability and opportunity for the people of the South-East.
He emphasized that the SEIC will create jobs, attract investment, and boost infrastructure across the zone.
Ohanaeze also urged federal authorities and political stakeholders to ensure that SEIC is managed with transparency, professionalism, and accountability.
The group called on all Igbo leaders and communities to support and protect the initiative, stressing that its success depends on unity, vision, and a shared sense of purpose.
With project planning expected to begin before the end of 2025, the Southeast Investment Company is being hailed as a promising instrument for regional transformation. Many across the South-East now look to SEIC as a potential game-changer that could finally usher in the economic progress they have long hoped for.
