President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), Mark Okoye, on the occasion of his 40th birthday.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President praised Okoye’s contributions to public service and described him as one of the innovative young leaders helping to shape Nigeria’s future.

Tinubu noted that before his appointment as SEDC chief executive, Okoye served in several key positions in Anambra State, including Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, Special Adviser to the Governor, and Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget and Development Partners.

The President commended Okoye’s “14-year unblemished record in public service” and lauded his dedication, resilience and passion for national development.

He urged the SEDC boss to remain steadfast in managing the commission and delivering on its mandate to drive development across the South-East region.

Okoye is widely regarded as one of the leading voices in subnational economic development and investment promotion in Nigeria. During his tenure at the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, he spearheaded reforms aimed at improving the state’s ease of doing business, attracting investments and strengthening the private sector’s role in economic growth.

A trained development economist and public policy expert, Okoye has built a reputation for driving innovative governance initiatives focused on job creation, infrastructure development and sustainable economic planning. His work in government has earned recognition from development partners and stakeholders across the public and private sectors.

His appointment as the pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South-East Development Commission placed him at the forefront of efforts to coordinate regional development, infrastructure renewal and economic revitalisation in the South-East, with expectations that the commission will help address longstanding developmental challenges in the zone.

“As a youth-centric leader, the President states that, with Okoye and many other innovative young people in his administration, the nation’s future remains promising,” the statement said.

Tinubu also joined Okoye’s family, friends and associates in wishing him good health, renewed strength and continued success in service to the nation.