The South-West Governors’ Forum has unveiled a comprehensive set of security, economic and administrative measures aimed at bolstering safety and development across the region. The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued after the forum’s meeting held on Monday at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The governors—representing Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti—said the decisions followed extensive deliberations on agriculture, regional development and rising insecurity. They also expressed strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms and ongoing rescue operations in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger states, where recent attacks have led to mass abductions.
According to the communiqué, the forum commended the Federal Government’s swift intervention in the rescue of abducted worshippers in Kwara and more than 51 students kidnapped in Niger State. Reviewing the security landscape of the South-West, the governors approved a series of coordinated measures to reinforce regional safety.
Key among them is the creation of a South-West Security Fund under the DAWN Commission, to be jointly managed by Special Advisers on Security from all six states. In addition, the governors agreed to establish a digital intelligence-sharing platform to support real-time communication, threat alerts, incident reporting and rapid response coordination across state boundaries.
The forum also raised concerns about criminal activities in forests, urging the Federal Government to support the deployment of Forest Guards while states provide personnel. The communiqué further highlighted worries over unregulated interstate migration and called for tougher border monitoring, enhanced data collection and closer collaboration with NIMC to prevent security breaches.
