Figures cited by Champion Newspapers show a renewed push for regional integration as Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State called for the creation of a “South East Common Market.” During a developmental launch where Vice President Kashim Shettima unveiled the Vision 2050 blueprint for the region, Governor Mbah argued that reimagining the five states as a single economic bloc is essential for industrialization. The proposal aims to harmonize trade policies and infrastructure projects across the South East.
The Vision 2050 blueprint is designed to leverage the region’s entrepreneurial strength while addressing long-standing infrastructure deficits. The Vice President highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting regional initiatives that align with national economic goals. This collaborative approach is expected to attract significant foreign direct investment (FDI) into the region’s manufacturing and technology sectors.
The Sun and Leadership Newspaper have also reported on the Enugu summit. The Sun stated that “the governors have agreed to set up a technical committee to oversee the integration process.” Leadership Newspaper quoted a regional trade leader who said, “a unified market will eliminate the double taxation that currently plagues inter-state commerce in the East.”
Echotitbits take:
A South East Common Market could be a game-changer for Nigerian internal trade, mirroring the success of the EU on a smaller scale. If the states can successfully integrate their rail and power projects, the region could become the nation’s primary industrial hub. The biggest challenge remains the “sit-at-home” disruptions which must be permanently resolved to ensure the market’s viability.
Source: DailyTrust – https://dailytrust.com/shettima-unveils-25-year-economic-blueprint-for-southeast/, February 5, 2026
Photo credit: DailyTrust
