South-East governors back SEDC with N25bn additional funding for 2026

Governors of the five South-East states — Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo — have resolved to contribute N5 billion each to support the proposed N140 billion budget of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) for the 2026 fiscal year.

Orji Kalu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on SEDC, disclosed this on Wednesday while presenting the commission’s 2026 budget report to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

According to Kalu, the additional funding commitment from the governors is intended to ensure the execution of impactful, development-driven projects across the region in the coming fiscal year.

“The Commission received hardly any funding in the 2025 fiscal year. Consequently, several projects and strategic initiatives were suspended and remain pending,” he said.

“The 2026 proposal is therefore for fresh appropriation as well as necessary intervention to reactivate stalled projects and restore developmental momentum across the region.”

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Kalu explained that following consultations with governors and key stakeholders in the South-East, the committee is seeking additional funding support.

“As chairman of the committee, having deliberated with the governors and major stakeholders in the South-East region, I respectfully request that the committee consider an additional N5 billion allocation from each of the five states, amounting to N25 billion, to augment the N140 billion proposal.

“This additional provision will enable the SEDC to accelerate development in the region, particularly in the health and education sectors, in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.

Receiving the report on behalf of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Tahir Monguno commended the initiative and expressed hope that governors from other geopolitical zones would adopt a similar approach to regional development funding.

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