Tinubu tasks Okoye with driving SEDC’s vision for South East renewal

In fulfillment of five-decade-old pledge to the South East, President Bola Tinubu has signed the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill into law, appointing Mark Okoye II as the pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Okoye’s inauguration on February 12, 2025, marks a defining moment in the Commission’s mission to restore critical infrastructure, drive economic revitalization, and foster sustainable development across the region.

A distinguished investment and economic development expert, Okoye brings over 15 years of experience in investment banking, governance, and policy implementation. He previously served as Managing Director/CEO of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) and as Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget, and Development Partners in Anambra State, where he played a pivotal role in attracting investment and shaping economic policies.

Expressing gratitude for his appointment, the 38-year-old former commissioner stated, “I extend my deepest gratitude to His Excellency, Mr. President, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the trust and confidence reposed in my colleagues and I to lead this historic institution. With our formal inauguration now complete, we begin the critical task of executing our mandate to oversee the reconstruction and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure damaged by the Nigerian Civil War and tackling the broader developmental challenges facing the region. Working with state governments, the private sector, and development partners, we will drive the South East towards a $200 billion regional economy by 2035, contributing to Mr. President’s $1 trillion GDP target.”

With a clear strategic vision, the SEDC will immediately engage key stakeholders, including state governments, private sector investors, academia, traditional and religious leaders, and civil society organisations. The Commission aims to enhance security and the investment climate, accelerate infrastructure development, promote industrialisation, drive technological innovation, and boost human capital development.

Okoye assured that his leadership would be defined by action rather than rhetoric, transparency over opacity, and inclusivity over exclusivity. In the coming months, the Commission will unveil key development projects, with an interactive website launching soon to foster public engagement and ensure accountability.