Nigeria’s southeast, which is struggling with insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, and government neglect, may make headway with President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Enugu on January 4, 2025. By finishing the Eastern Rail Line, linking Port Harcourt and Maiduguri, and utilising the Anambra Basin’s oil and gas resources, Tinubu promised to give the region’s development first priority. The South-east has long been politically marginalised, especially under President Muhammadu Buhari’s rule, when the area received little in the way of Infrastructure and unmet promises, including unfinished roads and sluggish projects like the Second Niger Bridge.
Socioeconomic problems in the area stem from the unresolved aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War, which destroyed vital infrastructure. Despite its hard-working populace and substantial economic contributions to Nigeria, the South-east region has economic stagnation as a result of poor energy and transportation infrastructure. Separatist movements, criminal activities, and harsh military deployments have all contributed to the region’s growing instability. By promoting environmental and infrastructure development, Tinubu established the South East Development Commission (SEDC) in an effort to address these issues. Scepticism endures, though, because prior pledges have mostly been broken.
Major cities like Onitsha and Aba promote trade and entrepreneurship.
Long-term efforts are needed in the Southeast to improve living conditions, increase security, and restore trust. The country’s Economy has historically benefited greatly from the South-East area of Nigeria, which includes the states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo. The area is well-known for its hard-working populace and thriving business sector, which includes manufacturing, trading, and agriculture. As commercial centres, major cities like Onitsha and Aba promote Trade and entrepreneurship. Notwithstanding these efforts, the South-East has had trouble drawing in foreign direct Investment (FDI).
More so, Nigeria received over $93.3 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) between 2013 and the first quarter of 2020, however the South-East only received about $203.9 million, or 0.22% of the total. This discrepancy emphasises the area’s difficulty luring significant international investments, which may be brought on by Security and infrastructure deficiencies. The South-East faces significant infrastructure issues. According to World Bank estimates, Nigeria needs to invest between $100 billion and $150 billion a year to close the infrastructure deficit across the country, with the South-East alone requiring about $10 billion a year to meet its most urgent requirements.
A climate of dread has been engendered by the presence of criminal groups.
This deficiency is reflected in the region’s poor road systems, restricted access to dependable energy, and inadequate healthcare and educational resources, all of which impede regional economic development. The problems in the region are made worse by the effects of insecurity. The implementation of sit-at-home orders and the actions of organisations like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have interfered with economic activity. In just two years, the South-East is thought to have lost more than ₦7.6 trillion in investments and production as a result of these disturbances. Furthermore, a climate of dread has been engendered by the existence of criminal groups and intercommunal disputes, discouraging possible Investors and hindering local enterprises.
Residents and local authorities have voiced serious concerns about these problems. Citing the sluggish pace of infrastructure Construction and insufficient security measures, many neighbourhood members bemoan what they perceive to be federal negligence. Due to systematic marginalisation, independent analysts contend that the region’s economic potential is still underutilised and advocate for more inclusive policies that take into account the particular difficulties faced by the South-East. In contrast, the federal government has made larger investments in other parts of Nigeria. For example, the Northern areas have witnessed large investments in energy projects and rail networks, while the South-West has profited from important developments like the Lagos-Ibadan Motorway.
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Additionally, the South-East’s infrastructure projects, on the other hand, have frequently been underfunded or delayed, which has made its residents feel increasingly excluded. Solving these problems calls for a diversified strategy. In order to address the environmental and infrastructure issues facing the area, the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) was established. By concentrating on important industries like manufacturing, technology, and Agriculture and making investments in infrastructure development, the SEDC seeks to promote Economic Growth and employment creation. Additionally, encouraging social Peace and integration through neighborhood-based projects can enhance the social fabric of the area by fostering communication and reconciliation.