Governors of the five South East states have resolved to inject an additional ₦25 billion into the 2026 budget of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), raising fresh optimism about accelerated development in the region.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on SEDC, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, during the presentation of the commission’s 2026 budget report to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
According to Kalu, each of the five governors — from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo — has pledged ₦5 billion to complement the ₦140 billion already proposed for the commission in the 2026 fiscal year.
He explained that the decision followed extensive consultations with governors and key stakeholders across the region, aimed at ensuring the commission delivers tangible, development-focused projects.
Kalu noted that the SEDC struggled with funding constraints in 2025, resulting in stalled projects and delayed strategic initiatives.
“The 2026 proposal is not just about fresh funding,” he said. “It is also about reviving suspended projects and restoring the developmental momentum the region urgently needs.”
The additional ₦25 billion contribution, he added, will strengthen the commission’s capacity to fast-track interventions, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare and education, in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Receiving the report on behalf of the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Tahir Monguno applauded the initiative. He described the move as a commendable show of regional cooperation and urged governors in other geopolitical zones to emulate the South East in supporting their respective development commissions.
If approved, the intervention will push the SEDC’s total 2026 funding envelope to ₦165 billion — a significant boost aimed at repositioning the region for coordinated growth and infrastructure renewal.
2026 Budget: South East Governors Boost SEDC Allocation with ₦25bn Support – Senate
