The Urhobo Foundation has unveiled an ambitious 25-Year Development Master Plan (2025–2050) aimed at industrializing, unifying, and transforming Urhoboland into a prosperous and sustainable region. This was the outcome of a landmark Global Webinar held on Thursday, May 1, 2025, via Zoom and themed “Advancing Economic Growth and Sustainable Development in Urhoboland: Strategies for 2030 and Beyond.”
In a communiqué jointly signed by Dr. Benson Uwheru, FCIB, Secretary of the Organizing Committee, and Prince Randolph ErumaGborie, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, the Foundation emphasized that the plan is rooted in “a people-centered framework” and represents “a transformative milestone in Urhobo history.” The event brought together global Urhobo thought leaders, government officials, and diaspora stakeholders.
Among the top priorities outlined was the launch of the Partners for Sustainable Development (PSD) platform, which will serve as the central coordination body for executing the plan. Sector-specific Technical Working Groups (TWGs) will also be constituted for each of the 14 strategic pillars to drive actionable results and accountability.
In a strong infrastructural push, the communiqué called for the reactivation of the Delta Steel Company in Aladja, revival of the Sapele Port, and a massive upgrade of the Osubi Airport into an international aerotropolis. This vision includes a 5-star hotel, aircraft maintenance facilities, an Agric export terminal, film village, and more—meant to position Urhoboland as a regional economic hub.
To fund these projects, the Foundation is mobilizing support for a new Urhobo Development Fund, urging all Urhobo sons and daughters worldwide to contribute. “Strategic investments must be backed by collective ownership,” the communiqué stressed.
Cultural preservation was another major focal point. Plans were announced for an Urhobo Language and Cultural Academy, supported by campaigns to integrate the Urhobo language and heritage into schools and tertiary institutions. This move, the Foundation emphasized, is key to identity and unity.
Also central to the resolutions was youth and diaspora engagement. A Diaspora–Homeland Youth Network will be created to transfer global knowledge, skills, and mentorship to communities in Urhoboland. Additionally, cottage industries will be launched across villages to boost food processing, job creation, and local enterprise.
The plan also outlines blended finance strategies to attract public and private capital, partnerships with development finance institutions like the Bank of Industry (BOI), and the formation of a dedicated lobbying arm to influence policy and attract donor funding. A strong monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework will track implementation across all areas.
The communiqué concluded with next steps: the immediate setup of the PSD platform and TWGs in June 2025, followed by the first progress webinar in Q4 2025. Full documentation of the Master Plan and the webinar proceedings will be published to ensure institutional memory and global access.
Reiterating the Foundation’s unwavering commitment, Dr. Uwheru and Prince ErumaGborie declared, “The future of the Urhobo Nation lies in unity, action, and strategic vision. Urhobo Ovuovo!”
