SSDC MD, Usoro Akpabio, Pledges Job Creation, Cocoa–Driven Development

The newly confirmed managing director of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), Ms Usoro Akpabio, has pledged to pursue a transformative development agenda anchored on job creation, agricultural value addition, and rural infrastructure expansion.

Ms Akpabio made the declaration following her strategic meeting with officials of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), held shortly after the Foundation’s recent engagement with the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, yesterday in Abuja.

She noted that the commission’s roadmap will focus on youth and women empowerment, the establishment of local cocoa processing hubs, and expanded investments in rural infrastructure to boost livelihoods and strengthen economic resilience across communities in the region.

“Our discussions with the World Cocoa Foundation reaffirmed cocoa’s potential as a key driver of sustainable development in the South-South,” Akpabio stated.

“We’re committed to unlocking inclusive growth by creating jobs, boosting exports, and building climate-resilient agricultural systems.”

She also emphasised the pivotal role of the SSDC in forging multi-stakeholder partnerships along the cocoa value chain to strengthen farmer support systems, scale up environmentally sustainable practices, and align regional production with global best standards.

Akpabio expressed deep appreciation to the president of the World Cocoa Foundation, Mr Chris Vincent, Ghana’s country director, Mr Mawuli Coffie, and Mr Ugochukwu Uzoamaka for their commitment and collaborative spirit.

“Their leadership underscores the vast potential of cocoa as a transformative force for economic prosperity in the South-South,” she added.

With her Senate confirmation, Akpabio vowed that the commission under her leadership would harness agriculture, particularly cocoa, not just for revenue generation but also as a platform for structural development, skills acquisition, and long-term national competitiveness.