President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the creation of the South-East Investment Company (SEIC) a landmark initiative aimed at catalyzing industrial growth, private sector investment, and long-term development across Nigeria’s South-East region.
With a projected blended capital base of over ₦150 billion, the SEIC will function as a federally backed investment vehicle, operating under the South East Development Commission (SEDC). It is structured to attract private capital, drive infrastructure investment, stimulate entrepreneurship, and promote inclusive economic transformation in one of Nigeria’s most industrious but under-leveraged regions.
The announcement was made public on Friday, via an official statement shared on the verified handle of the Nigerian Presidency.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has granted executive approval for the establishment of the South-East Investment Company (SEIC), a dedicated investment vehicle under the South East Development Commission (SEDC) designed to mobilise private capital, unlock regional competitiveness, and fast-track industrialisation in the South-East,” the statement read.
More Than a Company A Strategic Shift in Economic Planning
SEIC will initially be 100% owned by the SEDC, but is expected to evolve into a public-private partnership. Future stakeholders will include state governments in the South-East, private sector investors, development finance institutions, and the diaspora community.
The company will oversee targeted investment portfolios in areas such as:
- Infrastructure development
- SME financing and entrepreneurship
- Education and human capital development
- Industry-specific strategic projects
To achieve its funding goals, SEIC will adopt a hybrid capital structure combining bonds, equity participation, and callable capital — with pilot investments and fundraising expected to begin in Q4 of 2025.
“The SEIC is not just a financial instrument it’s a long-term economic blueprint,” said Mr. Mark Okoye, Managing Director of the SEDC. “We are building an institution that de-risks investment, drives efficiency, and aligns private incentives with public goals.”
A Nod to History, A Leap Toward the Future
The SEIC model draws inspiration from the Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation (ENDC), which powered industrial growth in the 1960s under Dr. Michael Okpara, then Premier of the Eastern Region. The ENDC was instrumental in establishing iconic regional assets from the Trans-Amadi industrial layout in Port Harcourt to key agro-processing plants in Abia and Enugu.
“This initiative is rooted in historical wisdom but reimagined for 21st-century needs,” noted Engr. Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Regional Development. “It balances national interests with regional strengths.”
President Tinubu formally presented the Certificate of Incorporation to the Commission in a brief ceremony at the State House, Abuja, attended by key officials including Minister Momoh, Mr. Okoye, and members of the SEIC executive team.
The Presidency assured that SEIC would undergo rigorous regulatory and compliance reviews to ensure its operations align with global best practices, transparency standards, and risk management frameworks.
Why This Matters
The launch of the SEIC could mark a turning point in federal-regional collaboration, unlocking opportunities for sustainable investment in a region known for its entrepreneurial dynamism, diaspora remittance inflow, and industrial potential.
Analysts say that if well-executed, the SEIC could serve as a model for replicable regional investment platforms in other geopolitical zones.
“Nigeria’s path to sustainable growth lies in enabling regions to harness their strengths through structured investment,” said Dr. Ifeanyi Nwosu, an economist with the Abuja-based Centre for Subnational Development. “This is how you scale prosperity from the bottom up.”
