The Marginalization of Nigeria’s Eastern Economic Corridor: A Call for Equitable Development – Maazi Tochukwu Ezeoke
The Eastern Economic Corridor of Nigeria, stretching from Calabar through Warri to Maiduguri, has long been a vital artery for trade, commerce, and cultural exchange. Anchored by strategic seaports in Port Harcourt and Calabar, this corridor holds immense potential to drive economic growth, not just for the South-South and South-East regions but for the entire nation. Yet, for decades, this region has been systematically neglected by the Federal Government, a glaring example of marginalization that has left the East vulnerable to insecurity, economic stagnation, and infrastructural decay. The recent inauguration of the Port Harcourt-Aba rail line on April 30, 2024, while a step forward, underscores the broader issue: The Eastern Corridor continues to be sidelined in favor of less economically impactful projects, perpetuating a cycle of underdevelopment that Nigeria can ill afford.
The Port Harcourt-Aba rail line, a modest 62-kilometer stretch, is part of the ambitious 1,443-kilometer Eastern Railway project intended to connect Port Harcourt to Maiduguri. This rail line, flagged off with much fanfare, promises to enhance connectivity between two key economic hubs in the South-South and South-East. The fares—N1,500 for first class and N800 for second class—are affordable, and the project has already shown early signs of boosting local economies by improving transportation and fostering development along the route. However, this development, while welcome, is a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of investment needed to unlock the Eastern Corridor’s full potential. The corridor’s neglect has far-reaching consequences, as highlighted by a 2024 study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), which found that rising insecurity in Nigeria—exacerbated by infrastructural deficits—negatively impacts unemployment, foreign direct investment (FDI), and government spending on education, all of which are critical for economic growth.
The Federal Government’s prioritization of projects like the Coastal Line, which offers little economic value, over the Eastern Corridor is a stark illustration of misplaced priorities. The Eastern Corridor, with its access to seaports, could serve as a gateway for international trade, connecting Nigeria’s hinterlands to global markets. Yet, as Uche Okoye pointed out in a May 2024 post on X, the corridor has been “intentionally closed down by the FG,” leaving the region susceptible to insecurity. This neglect has created a vicious cycle: lack of infrastructure fuels insecurity, which in turn deters investment, further deepening economic marginalization. The NCBI study supports this, noting that insecurity in Nigeria has led to a decline in FDI inflows and gross fixed capital formation, both of which are essential for long-term growth.
Energy infrastructure, another critical component of development, tells a similar story of marginalization. The Nigeria- Morocco Gas Pipeline, a proposed 5,600-kilometer project, could transform the region by supplying gas to Europe and addressing Morocco’s energy challenges, especially after Algeria terminated the Maghreb- Europe pipeline in 2021 amid diplomatic tensions. Nigeria, which supplied over 12 billion cubic meters of gas to the EU in 2022, stands to benefit immensely from this project. However, as reported by Morocco World News in March 2023, the pipeline faces delays due to administrative hurdles and regional instability, including the 2023 coup in Niger, which has disrupted energy exports and heightened tensions in West Africa. The Eastern Corridor, which could serve as a key transit route for this pipeline, remains underdeveloped, further delaying the project and depriving the region of much-needed economic stimulus.
The marginalization of the Eastern Corridor is not just an economic issue—it is a social and political one. The region, predominantly inhabited by the Igbo and other ethnic groups, has long felt excluded from Nigeria’s political and developmental agenda. While discussions of marginalization often focus on political talking points like state creation or the presidency, which misses the point point, these are not the most pressing issues.
Infrastructure—railways, aviation, maritime, and energy projects—holds the key to unlocking the region’s potential and addressing the root causes of insecurity and economic disparity. The Federal Government’s failure to prioritize these projects perpetuates a sense of alienation, fueling unrest and separatist sentiments that threaten national unity.
The residents along this corridor lament he poor quality of the Port Harcourt-Aba rail, noting that despite its potential to generate revenue, the region was given “the ugliest and lowest standard trains/rail.” @OKOLIEIFEANYIC1 on X accused the Federal Government of “rubbing Peter to pay Paul,” a sentiment echoed by many who feel that the East is being deliberately shortchanged. Even those who see the rail line as a positive step, acknowledge its inadequacy, pointing out that Eastern leaders have also failed to attract significant projects from the Federal Government. It moust be noted that the eastern rail is still being rehabliated on narrow gauge as opposed to standard rail gauge that are on the northern and western rail planks.
To address this marginalization, the Federal Government must adopt a more equitable approach to development. First, it should fast-track the completion of the Eastern Railway project, ensuring that the entire corridor from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri is fully operational and on standard gauge . This would not only improve connectivity but also create jobs, reduce insecurity, and attract investment. Second, the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline must be prioritized, with a clear timeline for construction and measures to mitigate regional instability. The Eastern Corridor’s strategic location makes it an ideal route for this pipeline, and its development would provide a much-needed boost to the region’s economy. Finally, the government must invest in education and social services in the East, addressing the root causes of unrest and fostering a sense of inclusion.
The marginalization of the Eastern Economic Corridor is a national tragedy, one that undermines Nigeria’s economic potential and threatens its unity. The Port Harcourt-Aba rail line, while a step in the right direction, is not enough. The Federal Government must recognize the corridor’s importance and invest in its development, not as an act of charity, but as a strategic imperative for the growth of the entire country. Only through equitable development can Nigeria hope to overcome the challenges of insecurity, economic disparity, and regional alienation. The time to act is now—before the Eastern Corridor’s potential is lost to neglect and despair.
