Beyond Oil, SSDC to Harness Blue Economy, Tech for Regional Development

By Eshiorameh Sebastian, Abuja

The newly established South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has held its inaugural board meeting in Abuja, charting a bold course to transform the Niger Delta through sustainable development and economic empowerment.

The meeting, which followed the commission’s establishment by an Act of the National Assembly assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, brought together the newly inaugurated board members, including representatives from all six South-South states and members from the nation’s other five geo-political zones, who have pledged to deliver on a profound mandate aligned with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Chairman of the SSDC Board, Rt. Hon. Prince Chibudom Nwuche of Rivers State, and the Managing Director, Ms Usoro Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, briefed newsmen after the closed-door session, outlining a governance framework built uncompromisingly on integrity, collaboration, and urgent action. They were joined by fellow board members Larry Odey (Cross River), Charles Zuofa (Bayelsa), Dr. Nkereuwem Ebong (Akwa Ibom), Chika Chinedu (Rivers), Femi Oise (Edo), and Dr. Charles Sylvester Enukhowhate (Delta), alongside zonal representatives Tijani Yahaya Kaura (North-West), Tabitha Iliya Sallah (North-East), Alh. Yusuf Rasaq Amao (North-Central), Joseph Mmama (South-East), and Bukonola Braimoh (South-West). The executive directors, including Marcus Nie Eji (Projects) and Amb. Sony Abang (Finance), were also in attendance.

Rt. Hon. Nwuche declared the commission “open for business and committed to delivering on its profound mandate,” describing the SSDC as a historic and strategic intervention by the President designed to tackle the region’s deep-seated challenges in a sustainable manner.

He laid out an uncompromising vision for transparency, stating that the commission’s success hinges on impeccable governance and collective effort. “We must be the reference point for governance and transparency in Nigeria. We should be able to leave behind a functional, efficient, and replicable model of governance that will outlive our tenure,” Nwuche stated.

He underscored the constitutional code of conduct for public officers, urging his fellow board members to avoid any conflict of interest and to place public interest above self. “Our lifestyle must be moderated, as most of the people we are called to serve are living in penury. We should live by example,” he advised, adding that the key word for the board must be “We” and not “I”.

Echoing this commitment to a new paradigm, the Managing Director, Ms Usoro Akpabio, articulated an ambitious “One Region” development agenda focused on integrated projects that transcend state boundaries to deliver shared prosperity.

She positioned infrastructure, industrialisation, and digital innovation as critical pillars for this transformation, signalling a clear intent to look beyond the region’s traditional oil and gas sector. “When we look at the South-South, we do not just see projects; we see movements. We see bold ideas taking shape, industries evolving, communities thriving, and a region boldly stepping into its full potential,” Akpabio stated.

She emphasised the role of technology as a central tenet of this new vision. “Technology is not just a tool, it is the great equalizer. We are embracing digital transformation as a strategic pillar for development,” she said, outlining concrete plans to establish innovation hubs, support tech-driven SMEs, and integrate ICT across education, healthcare, and commerce. “Our youths are digital natives. With the right platforms and tools, they can lead a new wave of innovation that puts the South-South on the map, not just as a consumer of technology, but as a producer and exporter of ideas.”

Furthermore, Akpabio pledged to champion the Blue Economy, alongside Arts, Culture, and Tourism, as vital economic levers to unlock the region’s vast potential, concluding with a powerful call to action: “The future of the South-South is not a distant dream, it is here, and it is ours to shape.”

Both leaders urged state governments, private sector leaders, traditional institutions, and the people of the South-South to support the commission’s vision, stressing that its success is dependent on collective ownership and partnership.