NIGERIA: South West Governors Move to Boost Regional Security, Approve Security Fund and Digital Intelligence Platform

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The South West Governors’ Forum has announced major resolutions aimed at strengthening security and boosting economic development across the region.

The governors reached the decisions on Monday during a meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to a statement issued by the Chairman of the Forum, who doubles as the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the meeting focused on pressing regional concerns including insecurity, agriculture, unregulated migration, and illegal mining.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said: ” As a Forum, we agreed to establish a South West Security Fund under the DAWN Commission and to create a digital intelligence-sharing platform to strengthen coordination among our states. We also discussed the need for improved forest surveillance and called for Federal support to deploy Forest Guards, with states providing the required personnel.”

He added that the governors also agreed to establish a digital intelligence-sharing platform to improve coordination and response strategies among the six states.

On forest safety and rising criminal activities within remote areas, the governors called on the Federal Government to support the deployment of Forest Guards, while the states will provide manpower required for the operation.

The Forum also raised concerns over increasing cases of unregulated interstate migration. To address this, the governors resolved to work with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to enhance identification processes and strengthen border monitoring systems across the region.

They further discussed the surge in illegal mining activities, warning that it poses significant security and environmental risks. The governors agreed on the need for stricter licensing procedures and tougher enforcement to curb the growing threat.

Reaffirming the Forum’s long-standing position, Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that the South West remains committed to the establishment of State Police, describing the reform as long overdue.

He stated:“The strength of our region lies in our unity, and as Chairman of the Forum, I remain committed to working with my colleagues to build a safer and more prosperous South West for all.”

The meeting was attended by governors of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti states.