By Asuquo Edem
“Development cannot happen by chance; it requires deliberate planning, credible partnerships, and transparent execution.”
— Ms. Usoro Akpabio, MD/CEO, South South Development Commission (SSDC)
When Ms. Usoro Akpabio assumed office as the pioneer Managing Director of the South South Development Commission (SSDC), many wondered how she would navigate the delicate web of politics, development challenges, and regional expectations in one of Nigeria’s most resource-rich yet underdeveloped regions. Barely a year into her tenure, the question is no longer about how — but how far she will go.
Under her watch, the SSDC has begun to emerge as a symbol of renewed hope and strategic collaboration for the people of the South-South. With an approach that combines purposeful leadership, inter-agency collaboration, and private sector partnerships, Ms. Akpabio is gradually redefining the narrative of development in a region long associated with oil wealth and environmental degradation but starved of coordinated growth.
A Vision Rooted in Cooperation and Results:
From the onset, Ms. Akpabio made it clear that the SSDC under her leadership would not be another bureaucratic institution lost in endless talk shops. Her focus is on results — building bridges between government and communities, and between the public and private sectors.
This vision was on full display when she led members of the SSDC Board and Management on a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas. During that engagement, the Speaker charged the Commission to deepen cooperation with state governments across the South-South to avoid duplication of projects and ensure alignment with local development priorities.
Ms. Akpabio took the advice to heart. Her subsequent actions have demonstrated an understanding that sustainable development is best achieved through synergy. “Our approach is to complement, not compete,” she said in one of her post-meeting remarks. “The SSDC is here to strengthen what states are already doing and create value through coordination, innovation, and partnership.”
Strategic Engagements for Sustainable Growth:
In line with that philosophy, the SSDC has embarked on a series of high-level engagements aimed at forging partnerships that translate into tangible impact for communities. A notable example was Ms. Akpabio’s working visit to the LPV Technologies Solar Manufacturing Plant in Lagos — a state-of-the-art facility producing solar panels and renewable energy components for local and regional use.
The visit, which followed an earlier discussion with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), was part of a broader effort to expand access to clean energy across rural and underserved communities in the South-South. By tapping into renewable energy partnerships, the SSDC hopes to tackle one of the region’s most persistent challenges — inadequate power supply — while creating jobs in the emerging green economy.
“The green revolution is not just about the environment,” Ms. Akpabio explained during the visit. “It’s about empowering our people economically. Energy is the foundation of productivity, and if we can power our farms, schools, and small businesses sustainably, we can transform lives.”
This approach underscores her knack for connecting vision with practical solutions. Rather than relying solely on government funding, she is building a model of development driven by collaboration — bringing together federal agencies, state governments, and private investors to share resources and expertise.
Partnerships Beyond Politics:
Perhaps one of Ms. Akpabio’s greatest strengths lies in her ability to rise above political divides. In a region often polarized by politics, she has earned respect for maintaining focus on development rather than patronage. Her inclusive leadership style is helping to reposition the SSDC as a regional body for all, irrespective of political affiliations.
Stakeholders who have interacted with her describe her as “strategic, humble, and highly focused.” She prefers roundtable discussions to grandstanding, and consensus-building to confrontation. This temperament has made it easier for her to gain the trust of key partners, from state governors to federal ministers and industry leaders.
A member of the SSDC Board who accompanied her on recent visits put it succinctly: “Madam Usoro understands the power of collaboration. She doesn’t see herself as an administrator in isolation; she sees herself as a bridge-builder between government and the people. That is what makes the difference.”
Championing Regional Priorities:
Ms. Akpabio’s leadership is also reshaping how the South-South approaches development priorities. Beyond the traditional focus on oil and gas, the SSDC is expanding its scope to include agriculture, renewable energy, technology, and human capital development.
One of her early initiatives was to engage agricultural entrepreneurs and researchers on how to scale agri-business across the region. She believes that the South-South, with its fertile lands and vast water resources, can become Nigeria’s agricultural powerhouse if properly harnessed.
Similarly, she has emphasized skills development and youth empowerment as core pillars of the SSDC’s agenda.
Through ongoing consultations with educational institutions, business incubators, and donor agencies, the Commission is working to create an ecosystem where innovation thrives and young people are equipped for the future of work.
From Vision to Visible Impact:
What sets Ms. Akpabio apart is her insistence on measurable impact. Each engagement — whether with lawmakers, technocrats, or private investors — is followed by a clear framework for implementation.
Her visit to LPV Technologies, for instance, was not merely ceremonial. It led to exploratory discussions on establishing solar assembly hubs in select South-South states. Similarly, her partnership talks with the REA have paved the way for pilot electrification projects targeting remote riverine communities.
At the heart of it all is her conviction that the SSDC must be an action-driven institution. “Development cannot happen by chance,” she once said. “It requires deliberate planning, credible partnerships, and transparent execution. Our people deserve nothing less.”
A New Narrative for the South-South
Gradually, that conviction is reshaping perceptions of what the South-South can achieve when its leaders unite behind a common vision. The SSDC, once a mere concept on paper, is now taking shape as a coordinating hub for the region’s aspirations — thanks in large part to Ms. Akpabio’s steady leadership.
Her method — engaging the National Assembly, fostering cooperation with governors, and courting private investors — reflects a modern approach to public service: one that values dialogue over decrees, and sustainability over short-term gains.
The results are still unfolding, but the signs are encouraging. From renewable energy collaborations to renewed attention to agriculture and youth development, the SSDC under her watch is proving that meaningful change is possible when vision meets execution.
Conclusion:
A Leader for the Future
As the South-South Development Commission continues to chart its path, Ms. Usoro Akpabio’s leadership offers a glimpse of what is possible when competence meets compassion, and vision meets action. Her quiet but determined drive is giving the region something it has long lacked — a sense of coordinated purpose.
If her early moves are any indication, the South-South may well be on the cusp of a new development renaissance — one powered not by oil, but by innovation, partnership, and people-centered leadership.
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