Dr. Charles Akinola, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South West Development Commission, has drawn attention to the unique economic potentials of states in the South East region of Nigeria.
Speaking in a recent interview, Akinola noted that each state in the South East possesses distinct economic strengths that can be harnessed for regional and national development.
According to the clip, Dr. Akinola emphasised that the South East region is not homogenous in its economic offerings. He pointed out that different states have comparative advantages in various sectors, including agriculture, commerce, manufacturing, and services.
While he did not list specific strengths for each state in the short clip, his remarks have been interpreted as a call for more focused and strategic development planning tailored to the unique resources and capabilities of each state in the region.
Dr. Charles Akinola, who heads the South West Development Commission, made the comments while discussing regional development and economic diversification in Nigeria. His observation comes at a time when the Federal Government is pushing for greater regional economic integration and the establishment of development commissions across the six geopolitical zones.
The establishment of these commissions is aimed at addressing regional imbalances and accelerating development through targeted interventions.
The video has sparked discussions on social media, with many users commending Akinola for highlighting the economic diversity within the South East. Some commentators noted that recognising each state’s unique strengths is key to effective policy formulation and investment attraction.
Others called on leaders in the South East to leverage these strengths in areas such as agriculture (e.g., cassava, yam, and palm produce), trade and commerce (notably in Aba and Onitsha), and emerging sectors like technology and creative industries.
Akinola’s remarks align with ongoing national conversations about moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to regional development. Experts have often argued that identifying and building on the comparative advantages of each state and region is critical to achieving sustainable economic growth.
The South West Development Commission boss’s intervention has been seen by some as a constructive contribution to inter-regional dialogue on economic development.
