South-South Nigerian governors form regional economic bloc

Governors of Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone have resolved to establish a stronger regional economic bloc to drive industrialization, maritime development, and infrastructure connectivity. During the second South-South Governors’ Forum meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, leaders emphasized moving away from fragmented state-level initiatives toward an integrated economic space.

Key strategic priorities identified include regional rail development, the modernization of the Calabar, Port Harcourt, and Warri seaports, and leveraging the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. The forum also discussed the need for a regional investment fund to mobilize capital for large-scale projects and advocated for coordinated engagement with the federal government on issues such as fiscal equity, Value Added Tax, and environmental remediation.

Chairman Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, stressed that the region must translate resolutions into measurable progress. The governors also reaffirmed their support for President Bola Tinubu, pledging “100 per cent” support for his 2027 re-election while seeking to engage him on critical regional concerns regarding infrastructure and environmental development.