This Monday, in a high-level meeting convened in Ibadan, the six governors of Nigeria’s South-West geopolitical zone reaffirmed their commitment to tackling insecurity, boosting economic development, and enhancing regional governance. Hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, the gathering under the South-West Governors’ Forum (SWGF) delivered a sweeping roadmap of pragmatic reforms — from a regional security fund to digital intelligence sharing — signaling a critical shift in how the region addresses its most pressing challenges.
A New Regional Security Architecture
At the heart of the discussions was the unanimous agreement to establish a South West Regional Security Fund (SWSF) under the auspices of the DAWN Commission, the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria. According to the communiqué, the fund will be jointly administered by Special Advisers on Security from all six states — Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti — and reviewed on a monthly basis to support coordinated security interventions across the zone.
In a decisive move, the governors also approved a digital, real-time intelligence-sharing platform, enabling states to exchange threat alerts, incident reports, traveler and cargo logs, and coordinate “state-to-state rapid response,” per the Forum’s communique.
Reclaiming Forests & Strengthening Border Control
The meeting underscored a growing alarm over criminal infiltration into forest belts across the South West. The governors jointly called on the federal government to support the deployment of Forest Guards, with each state committing to provide personnel to reclaim these areas from illicit activities.
Another priority raised was unregulated interstate migration, which the Forum cautioned could be exploited by criminal networks. To counter this, the governors pledged to intensify collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to improve identification, biometric data collection, and border monitoring.
Addressing Illegal Mining
Illegal mining emerged as a serious concern given its dual threat to environmental safety and regional security. The governors called for a stricter licensing framework, enhanced regulatory oversight, and firm enforcement to deter unscrupulous operators.
Renewed Push for State Police
In a statement that has reverberated across political and security circles, the Forum declared that “the time is now” for the establishment of State Police in the South West — a reform the governors have long championed. The creation of such a force, they argue, is overdue and essential to achieving localized, effective security.
Economic & Agricultural Cooperation
Beyond security, the governors also addressed economic development. They acknowledged the strides being made in agricultural productivity and lauded federal efforts toward food sufficiency. Building on this, they urged the South-West Development Commission (SWDC), whose headquarters they reaffirmed will be at Cocoa House in Ibadan, to deliver effectively on its mandate.
Unity, Vigilance & Regional Identity
The communiqué closed on a note of solidarity: the strength of the South West, the governors emphasized, lies in its unity and collective resolve. They called on citizens to remain vigilant, underscoring the region’s tradition of religious tolerance and its potential for shared progress.
Why This Matters: Implications & Key Takeaways
1. Decentralized Security
By establishing its own security fund and intelligence infrastructure, the South West is building capacity beyond the federal police. This could improve response times, increase accountability, and tailor interventions to the region's specific needs.
2. Preemptive Strategy Against Criminal Networks
The focus on forest surveillance and border identification shows a shift from reactive to proactive measures, seeking to disrupt criminal hideouts and trafficking routes before they escalate.
3. Fiscal and Institutional Commitment
The monthly SWSF reviews and joint governance structure suggest that the states are not merely issuing declarations — they are putting administrative and financial mechanisms in place to sustain their new security architecture.
4. Political Momentum for State Police
Reaffirming state police adds fresh weight to a longstanding demand. If implemented, it could fundamentally reshape policing in Nigeria by giving states more autonomy and control over security.
5. Integrated Development Agenda
Linking security with agriculture, economic development, and regional integration (via DAWN and SWDC) reflects a holistic approach. The governors seem to view security not just as a threat, but as both a barrier and a driver of development.
6. Symbolic & Strategic Significance
The choice of Ibadan — a historic political and cultural center — for these declarations amplifies their symbolic gravity. It signals not only commitment, but also ambition: to lead a coordinated, self-reliant, and forward-thinking South West region.
Final Thoughts
Today’s meeting by the South-West Governors’ Forum is more than a routine regional summit — it is a watershed moment in the South West’s fight for security and self-determination. By launching a dedicated security fund, embracing real-time intelligence sharing, and renewing their call for state police, the governors are mapping out a regional model that other zones might soon study.
As Chairman of the Forum, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) has underscored that unity, vigilance, and pragmatism remain the bedrock of this effort. If executed as promised, these measures could usher in a new era of regional cooperation, where development and safety reinforce rather than undermine each other.
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