Abstract
The Southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria, comprising five states with a population exceeding twenty million, possesses significant economic, natural, and human resources capable of driving regional prosperity. Despite this potential, the region faces severe challenges, including persistent insecurity, leadership deficits, and weak inter-state cooperation, which have disrupted economic activities and undermined governance.
As of 2025, the Southeast has recorded an estimated loss of ₦7.6 trillion since 2021 due to enforced sit-at-home orders, violence, and security operations. Meanwhile, the broader Nigerian economy continues to contend with inflation exceeding 20 percent and rising poverty levels estimated at 46 percent.
This study examines the contemporary state of socio-economic cooperation and leadership challenges in Southeast Nigeria, analyzing how governance failures have affected regional development. Adopting the Developmental State theory as its analytical framework, the study employs an exploratory research design with reliance on secondary data analysis.
Findings reveal that disunity among political leadership, escalating insecurity involving multiple armed groups, and the absence of effective regional cooperation mechanisms constitute major barriers to development. The study concludes that addressing these challenges is critical to unlocking the region’s vast potential.
It therefore recommends the emergence of unified regional leadership, the implementation of comprehensive security reforms including state policing, the strengthening of regional economic cooperation frameworks, and the adoption of governance policies oriented toward sustainable development.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19366830
Writers:
Kennedy Ohazuruike, Ph.D
Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja
Department of Political Science
ORCID ID: 0009-0003-3952-8689
Corresponding Author’s Email:
kennedyohazuruike@yahoo.comeme