14 February , 2025
Oni Kehinde
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday hosted a meeting of the South-West Governors’ Forum in Lagos, where key regional issues, including agriculture, economic collaboration, security, and food security, student loan were discussed.
The closed-door meeting, which commenced at 12:15 pm, had in attendance Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun). The gathering served as a follow-up to the previous forum meeting held on June 10, 2024, in Lagos, during which Governor Sanwo-Olu was appointed Chairman of the forum.
Under Sanwo-Olu’s leadership, the forum has prioritized policies aimed at strengthening development across the South-West. The governors commended President Bola Tinubu for fostering economic stability, particularly in ensuring a steady petroleum supply and stabilizing the exchange rate. They also urged citizens to support the administration’s economic initiatives.
While acknowledging the relative peace in the region, the governors emphasized the need for sustained security efforts to maintain stability. Plans for a joint security surveillance initiative were also discussed to ensure continued safety across the states.
The forum congratulated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on his victory in the Ondo State gubernatorial election held on November 16, 2024.
The governors lauded Odu’a Investment Company Limited for its role in managing regional assets, particularly the redevelopment of Premier Hotel in Ibadan and the planned transformation of Lagos Airport Hotel. The company’s broader economic investments were also commended.
Expressing concerns over rising food prices, the forum resolved to establish a State Food Inflation Joint Monitoring Team and create Aggregation Centres/Food Hubs across the region. These initiatives aim to curb the influence of exploitative middlemen inflating commodity prices.
The governors recognized the improved performance of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission and encouraged continued collaboration with the agricultural and industrial sectors for sustainable development.
Applauding the federal government’s implementation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the governors urged South-West students in tertiary institutions to take full advantage of the scheme for higher education and skills acquisition.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of South-West governors to collaborative efforts aimed at fostering regional growth, economic stability, and security in the region.
