Obi Cubana hails South-East governors on security, development

Prominent Nigerian businessman and socialite, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, has commended South-East governors for recent improvements in security across the region, describing enhanced safety as essential for sustainable economic development.

The Cubana Group chairman, who recently accepted the role of South-East Coordinator for the City Boy Movement, has consistently emphasized the critical link between security and commerce in the South-East, Nigeria’s traditional heartland of entrepreneurship and trade.

Speaking in his capacity as both a businessman and regional stakeholder, Obi Cubana highlighted how improved security creates the enabling environment necessary for businesses to thrive and for the region to realize its full economic potential.

Security as Foundation for Economic Growth

The businessman’s commendation comes against the backdrop of significant security improvements across the South-East, most notably demonstrated by the recent reopening of Onitsha Main Market on Mondays—breaking the years-long grip of the sit-at-home order that had paralyzed economic activity every Monday.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s decisive action in Anambra State, backed by heavy security deployment, enabled traders to defy intimidation and return to work, recording over 70 percent shop openings across major trading corridors. The move potentially saved the market from losing an additional ₦200 billion that would have been lost during closure periods.

Obi Cubana, who hails from Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, has long advocated for government action on security. In previous statements, he has consistently called on federal and state governments to create more enabling environments for businesses, emphasizing that good infrastructure and robust security are non-negotiable requirements for entrepreneurship to flourish.

From Advocacy to Action

The businessman’s involvement in regional development extends beyond rhetoric. His recent appointment as South-East Coordinator of the City Boy Movement positions him to play an active role in mobilizing support for policies that enhance security and drive development across the five South-East states.

In his acceptance statement released on February 3, 2026, Obi Cubana emphasized that meaningful change comes from constructive engagement rather than standing on the sidelines. “I am fully aware of the varied reactions this appointment has sparked. My belief remains firm: lasting change comes from constructive engagement, not standing apart,” he stated.

He added that service continues to guide him, and his new role would not alter his commitment to integrity, community growth, and responsible leadership—principles that have defined his business career and philanthropic activities.

Business Perspective on Regional Development

As chairman of the Cubana Group, which operates hospitality businesses across Nigeria including in the South-East, Obi Cubana understands firsthand how insecurity affects commerce. His business empire, which includes clubs, hotels, and other entertainment ventures, depends heavily on a secure operating environment.

In previous public statements, the businessman has emphasized that entrepreneurs, particularly young ones, must be innovative but that innovation alone is insufficient without government support in critical areas like infrastructure and security.

“There are different seasons in businesses,” he noted in a 2024 interview. “It is left for operators of businesses to know how to approach each season. Life is a hurdle, and with each challenge faced, you must know how to jump it and continue your journey to the next stage until you succeed.”

He has consistently called on governments to construct good roads and find lasting solutions to insecurity, noting that in the logistics business, for example, good roads are essential for transporting goods from one point to another.

Broader Regional Implications

The South-East has historically been Nigeria’s commercial powerhouse, with Igbo entrepreneurs driving significant portions of the nation’s trade and manufacturing sectors. However, years of insecurity—particularly the Monday sit-at-home orders and various forms of criminal activity—had threatened to erode this competitive advantage.

Recent actions by governors in the region, particularly Soludo’s firm stance in Anambra, suggest a coordinated effort to reclaim the South-East’s economic space and restore investor confidence. The reopening of Onitsha Main Market, the largest in West Africa, sends a powerful signal that governments are willing to protect those who choose to work and invest.

Obi Cubana’s commendation of these efforts adds the voice of the private sector—the ultimate beneficiary of improved security—to the conversation. As someone who has built a business empire from the ground up and who maintains strong ties to his South-East roots, his perspective carries weight among entrepreneurs and youth in the region.

Political Context

Obi Cubana’s recent political appointment has generated mixed reactions, with some questioning his alignment with the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections. However, the businessman has framed his involvement as an opportunity to effect change from within rather than criticizing from the outside.

“Our nation’s leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is equally a City Boy and a man of commerce,” he stated in his acceptance message. “All of us need all of us in order to achieve our national aspirations and I am committed to carrying every Nigerian along in all that I do.”

His emphasis on security and development aligns with key priorities of South-East stakeholders regardless of political affiliation—suggesting that his advocacy on these issues transcends party lines.

The Road Ahead

While recent security improvements in the South-East are encouraging, significant challenges remain. Sustaining the progress made in markets like Onitsha will require continued government commitment, adequate security presence, and ultimately, political solutions to underlying grievances that have fueled unrest in the region.

Obi Cubana’s role as both businessman and political coordinator positions him uniquely to bridge the gap between government policy and business realities. His success in this endeavor will depend on his ability to translate his business acumen and regional influence into tangible improvements in security, infrastructure, and economic opportunity.

For now, his commendation of South-East governors represents a vote of confidence in recent security measures—and a call for continued action to ensure the region can fulfill its immense economic potential. As markets reopen, roads become safer, and investors regain confidence, the South-East may be poised for the economic revival that stakeholders like Obi Cubana have long championed.

The ultimate test will be whether these improvements can be sustained and expanded across all five South-East states, creating a security environment where entrepreneurship can truly flourish and where the region’s position as Nigeria’s commercial engine can be restored.