Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the South-East Development Commission have agreed to work together to grow the Igbo economy and create jobs for young people in the region.
The partnership emerged from talks between leaders of both organisations, who said they would focus on economic development projects that benefit the South-East. The two groups plan to identify sectors where Igbos can build businesses and reduce the number of unemployed youth.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has long positioned itself as a voice for Igbo interests across Nigeria. The South-East Development Commission, a government agency, oversees development projects in the five South-Eastern states: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.
By combining resources and influence, the organisations hope to unlock economic opportunities in agriculture, commerce, manufacturing, and technology. Youth unemployment remains a serious problem in the South-East, where many young people migrate to Lagos and other cities searching for work.
The collaboration signals a shift towards regional self-help rather than waiting for federal government intervention. Both organisations said they would work with state governments and private investors to turn plans into concrete projects.
Details of specific projects, timelines, and funding mechanisms have not yet been announced. The groups are expected to hold further meetings to develop a detailed action plan before the end of the current quarter.
