MARCEL MBAMALUIn the late 1950s, Eastern Nigeria, under the visionary leadership of Nnamdi Azikiwe, embarked on an ambitious economic development plan that would transform the region into a thriving industrial hub. The plan, crafted by renowned US consulting firm Arthur D. Little, aimed to catapult Eastern Nigeria into the league of rapidly industrializing economies.
At the heart of this plan was the establishment of industrial estates and corridors, strategically located across the region. Trans-Amadi in Port Harcourt was designated for heavy industries, while Aba was earmarked for light industries. Umuahia was positioned as a hub for biotechnology, with the Golden Guinea Brewery and the Root Crop Research Institute serving as anchors.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe plan also envisioned the creation of industrial corridors, stretching over 100 miles, to facilitate the growth of feeder industries. The Emene-Nkalagu Industrial Corridor, for instance, was designed to focus on automobiles, building materials, and industrial automation.
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To drive retail trade, Onitsha was transformed into an emporium, attracting buyers from across West Africa. This strategic move gave the Anambra Igbo a head start in retail trading, an advantage they still enjoy today.
The development plan was centrally driven by the Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation (ENDC) and the Eastern Nigerian Commodities Board (ENCB), both headed by the indefatigable Sir Louis Phillip Odumegwu Ojukwu. Funds for development were sourced from local revenues, direct foreign investments, and loans from the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC).
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However, the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967 truncated this economic miracle, leaving the region to pick up the pieces. The Federal Government’s seizure of Eastern Nigeria’s oil assets, without compensation, further exacerbated the region’s economic woes.
How Tinubu’s Southeast Development Commission Can Revive the Region’s Economy
Today, as Nigeria grapples with economic challenges, it is essential to revisit this forgotten blueprint and learn from the successes and failures of Eastern Nigeria’s economic development plan. The newly created Southeast Development Commission, led by Mark Okoye, presents a unique opportunity to revive the region’s economic fortunes.
By leveraging the historical successes of Eastern Nigeria’s economic development plan, the Southeast Development Commission can:
1. Re-establish industrial estates and corridors: Revive the industrial estates and corridors that were established in the 1950s and 1960s, and create new ones to drive economic growth.
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2. Promote retail trade: Revitalize Onitsha’s emporium status and establish new retail hubs across the region to drive economic activity.
3. Foster biotechnology and innovation: Build on the legacy of Umuahia’s biotechnology hub and establish new innovation centers to drive entrepreneurship and job creation.
4. Develop strategic partnerships: Establish partnerships with international organisations, foreign investors, and local stakeholders to attract investment and drive economic growth.
5. Prioritize infrastructure development: Invest in critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and energy to support economic growth and development.
By learning from the past and leveraging the Southeast Development Commission’s mandate, the region can recreate its economic prosperity and emerge as a thriving economic hub in Nigeria.
Dr Mbamalu, a Jefferson Journalism Fellow, Member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and Media/Communications Consultant, is the Publisher of Prime Business Africa (PBA).
Dr. Marcel Mbamalu is a communication scholar, journalist and entrepreneur. He holds a Ph.D in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and is the Chief Executive Officer Newstide Publications, the publishers of Prime Business Africa.
A seasoned journalist, he horned his journalism skills at The Guardian Newspaper, rising to the position of News Editor at the flagship of the Nigerian press. He has garnered multidisciplinary experience in marketing communication, public relations and media research, helping clients to deliver bespoke campaigns within Nigeria and across Africa.
He has built an expansive network in the media and has served as a media trainer for World Health Organisation (WHO) at various times in Northeast Nigeria. He has attended numerous media trainings, including the Bloomberg Financial Journalism Training and Reuters/AfDB training on Effective Coverage of Infrastructural Development of Africa.
A versatile media expert, he won the Jefferson Fellowship in 2023 as the sole Africa representative on the program. Dr Mbamalu was part of a global media team that covered the 2020 United State’s Presidential election. As Africa's sole representative in the 2023 Jefferson Fellowships, Dr Mbamalu was selected to tour the United States and Asia (Japan and Hong Kong) as part of a 12-man global team of journalists on a travel grant to report on inclusion, income gaps and migration issues between the US and Asia.
