Tinubu Approves South-East Investment Company to Drive Industrial Growth
President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the South-East Investment Company (SEIC), a landmark initiative designed to accelerate industrialisation and attract private capital into the region.
According to a statement from the presidency on Friday, the SEIC will function under the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) as a professionally governed, private-sector-led institution, operating independently of federal budget cycles.
The SEIC, wholly owned by the SEDC, is expected to transition into a public-private partnership model with investments from state governments in the region, private sector operators, development finance institutions, and the diaspora.
“With a projected blended capital base of over 150 billion, SEIC will mobilise resources through hybrid bonds, equity participation, and callable capital structures,” the statement noted.
The company will manage a portfolio of targeted investments in infrastructure, entrepreneurship, education, and other key sectors. Pilot investments and fundraising are slated to begin in Q4 2025 and will be guided by “strong governance systems including independent fund managers, custodians, and auditors.”
President Tinubu described the initiative as a critical component of his administration’s inclusive development agenda. “He charged the SEDC and the SEIC to deliver measurable outcomes that would uplift the south-east and strengthen national cohesion through shared prosperity.”
Mark Okoye, managing director and CEO of the SEDC, said the company is a strategic move to unlock economic potential. “It is more than a financial vehicle. It is a long-term strategy to unlock private capital, de-risk investment, and deliver sustainable economic growth for the South-East,” he stated.
“We are building an institution that will stand the test of time and serve as a bridge between government priorities and private sector efficiency,” he added.
