Enugu State Government and the South East Development Commission (SEDC) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the South-East Agro Development Programme, a partnership aimed at boosting commercial agriculture, attracting private investment, creating jobs for youths and positioning the state as an agro-industrial hub.
Speaking at the event held in Government House, Enugu , the state Governor ,Dr Peter Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the state Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia , described the agreement as a deliberate step in the state government’s long-term economic transformation agenda.
He stressed that agriculture had been identified from the inception of the Mbah administration as one of the major drivers of the state’s plan to grow its economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
He said the government had adopted an agro-industrialisation model that goes beyond farming to include processing, value addition and market access.
The SEDC representative signing the MoU while the Enugu state SSG looks up during the Enugu govt signing of MoU on South East agro development in Enugu on Thursday, 25Th June,2016
According to him, every policy of the present administration is intentional and designed to complement one another.
He cited the concessioning of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and the planned commencement of cargo operations as part of an integrated strategy that would enable agricultural produce to reach international markets.
“We do not do agriculture just to sell locally. We process agriculture as an economic trigger. Our young people are now able to see farming as a business and not merely as subsistence agriculture,” Onyia said.
He explained that before seeking investors, the government had tackled insecurity, identified and secured land banks across communities and put in place the necessary legal framework to ensure investments would be protected.
Gov Mbah ‘s representative Prof Chidiebere Onyia and SEDC Representative displaying the MoU document after the signing on Thursday,25Th June,2026 in Enugu
According to him, the administration also carried host communities along in the land acquisition process to prevent future disputes despite government’s constitutional powers over land.
Onyia assured the Commission and investors that Enugu had created an enabling environment through supportive policies, regulatory reforms and evidence-based decision-making.
He disclosed that the state had already earmarked about 56,000 hectares of land as the first phase of its commercial agriculture programme, adding that the government was deliberately implementing projects in measurable phases to track performance and maximise returns.
He stressed that all projects undertaken by the administration were designed under what he described as an “irreversibility model” to ensure they remained sustainable beyond the tenure of the current administration.
“The Governor is very intentional about building legal, regulatory and legislative frameworks so that these projects cannot be reversed after his tenure. Sustainability is central to everything we do,” he said.
Onyia commended the leadership of the South East Development Commission for initiating the regional agricultural programme, saying the Commission’s vision aligned with Enugu State’s aspiration of using agriculture as a catalyst for economic growth and regional transformation.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would create sustainable livelihoods, strengthen the agricultural economy and improve prosperity across Enugu State and the South-East.
Speaking on behalf of the SEDC, the Commission’s Executive Director of Projects, Toby Okechukwu, said the partnership was designed to identify parcels of land suitable for commercial agriculture, provide critical infrastructure and attract private investors into the agricultural sector.
He noted that Governor Mbah had already laid the foundation by restoring security, acquiring land for commercial agriculture and developing infrastructure that supports agro-industrialisation.
“If you connect the dots, it makes sense. The state has created security, acquired land and developed infrastructure. With cargo services taking off, agricultural produce can easily reach markets. It is an integrated approach to agricultural development,” Okechukwu said.
He said the Commission shared the governor’s vision of making the South-East one economy and one market, adding that similar partnerships would be extended to other states in the region.
According to him, the signing of the MoU marks the beginning of implementation, while actual field activities would commence after the rainy season following detailed planning.
Okechukwu said the programme would make agriculture attractive to young people by shifting from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture, where youths could participate as investors, specialised service providers, processors, marketers and farm workers.
“We are doing the heavy lifting of land preparation so young people can easily come in. Agriculture is no longer about everyone doing everything. There will be opportunities across the entire value chain,” he said.
Hon Edeani, Enugu state Liaison officer, SEDC speaking on the Enugu ,SEDC signing of MoU on Regional Agro development in Enugu on Thursday,25Th June,2026
Speaking with Newsmen, the Enugu State Liaison Officer to the South East Development Commission, Edeani Edeani, Enugu, SEDC Sign MoU on South-East Agro Development Programme the project as the first mega agricultural intervention by the Commission in the state.
He said the project would commence simultaneously in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu West Senatorial zones and expressed optimism that thousands of youths would benefit from the initiative through employment and business opportunities.
Edeani explained that no fresh land acquisition would be required because the state government already had land designated for the project.
He added that t his office serves as 5the coordinating link between the Commission and the Enugu State Government, facilitating communication and approvals for all SEDC projects ESA in the state.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Enugu State Executive Council, senior government officials and representatives of the South East Development Commission.
The partnership hopefully, will drive investment in commercial agriculture, enhance food production, expand agro-processing and create employment opportunities in Enugu state and the South-East zone.
