Governors from Nigeria's Southwest region have thrown their weight behind the Southwest Development Commission (SWDC) to create a unified economic bloc and strengthen security coordination across the six states. This significant development emerged from a high-level meeting held on 25 November 2025 between the commission's leadership and the regional governors.
Building a Unified Economic Front
Dr. Charles Akinola, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SWDC, revealed that the meeting focused on identifying development areas that would benefit from collective handling rather than individual state approaches. The governors serve as advisory committee members for the commission and have pledged full cooperation to accelerate regional growth.
"We are talking about those areas of development best positioned to be handled by a platform like ours so that we begin to see the region as one economic bloc and not merely six individual states," Akinola stated. He emphasized that the SWDC aims to work integrally with state governments without conflict, ensuring coordinated development initiatives across the Southwest.
Enhanced Security Coordination
The meeting also addressed critical security concerns, with participants agreeing on improved collaboration among various security outfits in the region. Amotekun, LASEMA, and Neighbourhood Watch will now work more closely together, with enhanced intelligence sharing at multiple levels.
"There will be much more coordination this time," Akinola confirmed. "Security is everybody's responsibility, and the idea of having intelligence at different levels also came up during our conversations." This approach marks a significant step toward addressing security challenges through unified regional efforts rather than isolated state responses.
Technology-Driven Development
The commission outlined plans to leverage technology more effectively in both development and security operations. According to Akinola, the region will implement data-driven development initiatives and use enhanced technological solutions to coordinate efforts across state boundaries.
"It is clear that there will be greater joint efforts in implementing some of the measures put in place, including using technology in a more enhanced manner," he added. The governors also reaffirmed their support for existing regional bodies including the DAWN Commission and Odu'a Group, ensuring all development agencies work in harmony.
The successful meeting signals a new era of cooperation in Southwest Nigeria, with states poised to operate as a single economic unit while tackling security challenges collectively. Implementation of the agreed decisions is expected to commence immediately, marking a transformative period for regional development.
