The Imperative Of The Recently Inaugurated Ebonyi State Economic Advisory Committee

At its Executive Council meeting on Thursday, August 14, 2025, the Ebonyi State Government, under the esteemed leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, sanctioned the establishment of the Ebonyi State Economic Advisory Committee (ESEAC). 

The committee was officially inaugurated on Monday, September 1, 2025, with the unequivocal mandate of articulating a comprehensive blueprint for the state’s multifaceted development, extending beyond the foundational framework of the current administration’s People’s Charter of Needs.

Composition Of The Committee

The committee is presided by Prof. Barth Nnaji, a distinguished technocrat and former Minister of Power, and comprises an assemblage of eminent figures, including economists, industrialists, entrepreneurs, technocrats, and retired senior military officers. 

This amalgamation of expertise positions the body to furnish practical, visionary, and results-oriented counsel to the government.

Terms of Reference

Among the pivotal assignments conferred upon the committee are:

1. Ease of Doing Business – Proposing mechanisms to enhance the investment climate and fortify the state’s industrial base.

2. Industrialization Drive – Collaborating with stakeholders to rejuvenate the ailing NIGERCEM Cement Factory, while establishing an additional cement manufacturing facility to exploit the state’s abundant limestone deposits.

3. Salt Processing Industry – Initiating a functional factory to capitalize on Ebonyi’s rich salt deposits, thereby substantiating the state’s motto as the “Salt of the Nation.”

4. Sustainable Energy Solutions – Offering long-term strategies to mitigate Ebonyi’s power challenges, particularly the absence of a 330KV line, which is essential for industrial advancement.

5. Industrial City Development – Facilitating the growth of the newly established Ebonyi Industrial City in Izhiamgbo by pioneering industries that will attract further investments.

6. Long-term Economic Blueprint – Crafting a framework that will steer the state’s economic growth beyond the tenure of the current administration.

Strategic Importance

The inauguration of this high-powered committee is both timely and strategic for several compelling reasons:

Tackling Unemployment:

The revitalization of NIGERCEM and the establishment of new industries are anticipated to markedly diminish unemployment within the state.

Energy Revolution: 

With Prof. Nnaji at the helm, the state is poised to receive actionable solutions to its persistent power challenges, a prerequisite for industrial expansion.

Industrial City Transformation: 

By attracting industries and investors to Izhiamgbo, Ebonyi is poised to emerge as a nexus for industrial activities in the South East and beyond.

Sustainable Development:

The committee’s blueprint will ensure that the economic vision of the state transcends political cycles, thereby guaranteeing continuity and enduring growth.

Conclusion

The establishment of the Ebonyi State Economic Advisory Committee signifies a bold and visionary stride towards sustainable economic transformation. 

With its assemblage of seasoned experts, the committee is expected to proffer actionable recommendations that will expedite industrialization, attract investment, and reposition Ebonyi as an economic powerhouse within Nigeria.

Indeed, this initiative underscores the commitment of the Nwifuru-led administration to cultivate enduring legacies of growth, employment, and prosperity for the citizens of Ebonyi State.

Dr. Boniface Nwankwo

Special Assistant to the Governor on Documentation.