Governors of the six South West states have announced major security and development measures following a high-level meeting of the South West Governors’ Forum on Monday at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.
The meeting, attended by the governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo, deliberated extensively on agriculture, security, migration, illegal mining, regional development, and national challenges.
In a communiqué issued after the session, the governors commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his fight against insecurity and economic reforms, expressing solidarity with federal efforts in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger States following recent kidnappings. They also praised the swift federal response in rescuing abducted persons in Kwara State and over 51 students in Niger State.
A key outcome of the meeting was the creation of a South West Security Fund (SWSF), to be managed under the DAWN Commission and coordinated by Special Advisers on Security from all six states. The fund aims to strengthen collective security capacity across the region.
The Forum also unveiled plans for a digital intelligence-sharing platform linking security operations across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti. The platform will facilitate threat notifications, incident logs, traveller and cargo alerts, and rapid inter-state response coordination.
Highlighting rising criminal activity in forest areas, the governors urged the federal government to deploy forest guards to the South West. While acknowledging the efforts of NSCDC, Hunters Group, Amotekun Corps, and other agencies, the Forum emphasised the need for enhanced forest surveillance, as vast forest belts have become hideouts for criminals.
On interstate migration, the governors warned that unregulated movement is fueling insecurity and called for stricter border monitoring, better data collection, and collaboration with NIMC for proper migrant identification.
The Forum also condemned illegal mining, describing it as a threat to environmental safety, public health, and regional security. They called for a stronger licensing framework and strict enforcement against violators.
Reiterating longstanding demands for state police, the governors said their support remains unwavering, asserting that “the time is now and it can no longer be delayed.”
The communiqué praised federal efforts to boost food production and lauded South West farmers for contributing to stability and lower food prices. They also acknowledged the South West Development Commission (SWDC) and DAWN Commission for their roles in regional development and integration.
The meeting concluded with a call for unity, urging residents to uphold peace and religious tolerance, affirming that the South West remains “one, indivisible entity.”
