South-West Governors Unveil Regional Security and Economic Plan

Governors from the South-West region met behind closed doors in Ibadan on Monday under the South-West Governors’ Forum, resolving to roll out a coordinated plan to strengthen security, stabilise food supply, and expand economic cooperation across the six states.

The emergency meeting, hosted at the Oyo State Government House, brought together the governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti. Although details of their deliberations were not made public until late Monday, the communiqué issued at the end highlighted three major outcomes aimed at safeguarding the region and boosting development.

In response to rising security concerns, the governors approved the creation of a Joint Surveillance Monitoring Team that will operate across state borders. The team will coordinate with existing security outfits and leverage shared intelligence. The forum also endorsed the deployment of advanced monitoring technology, including aerial surveillance systems, to track criminal activities and support rapid response.

According to the communiqué, the move is designed to close gaps exploited by criminal elements and ensure that security agencies across the South-West work with a unified strategy.

With food prices continuing to rise nationwide, the governors agreed to set up regional food hubs to stabilize supply and reduce the impact of inflation on households. They also established an inter-state monitoring team that will oversee the movement of essential food items to prevent hoarding and arbitrary price hikes.

The forum noted that coordinated action is necessary to protect vulnerable communities and ensure that the region remains food-secure despite national economic pressures.

Reaffirming their long-term commitment to regional integration, the governors tasked the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission with fast-tracking collaborative projects in industrialization, transportation, and trade. The plan includes aligning infrastructure projects, promoting inter-state investment, and improving ease of doing business across the region.

The forum said stronger economic ties would create jobs, attract investors, and enhance the competitiveness of the South-West.

The meeting closed with a renewed pledge from all six governors to present a united front in addressing challenges facing the region. They maintained that regional cooperation remains critical to sustaining development gains and ensuring stability.

More details on implementation timelines for the new initiatives are expected in the coming weeks.