Inside The Closed-Door Meeting: South-West Governors Unveil Tough New Security Plan

Governors from the six South-West states met in Ibadan on Monday for an emergency session focused on urgent regional matters, particularly security. The closed-door meeting was hosted by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, at the Governor’s Office, Agodi.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Below is the communique issued after the deliberations:

COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE SOUTH-WEST GOVERNORS’ FORUM MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 2025, AT THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, SECRETARIAT, IBADAN, OYO STATE

The South-West Governors’ Forum—comprising the governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States—met on 24 November 2025 to review developments in the region, particularly in agriculture, economic and regional integration, and security. After extensive discussions, the Forum resolved as follows:

1. Commendation to the President:
   The Forum commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity and advance economic reforms.

2. Solidarity on Recent Kidnappings:
   The governors expressed support for the Federal Government’s response to recent abductions in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger States, and praised the rescue of victims in Kwara and over 51 students in Niger.

3. South-West Regional Security Fund:
   A South-West Security Fund (SWSF) will be established under the DAWN Commission and managed by the Special Advisers on Security from all six states. The group will meet monthly.

4. Joint Intelligence Sharing:
   The Forum approved the creation of a real-time digital intelligence-sharing platform covering all South-West states, enabling coordinated alerts, incident tracking and rapid-response collaboration.

5. Enhanced Forest Surveillance:
   Recognising forests as hotspots for criminal activity, the Forum urged the Federal Government to deploy forest guards across the region, with states providing personnel. Security agencies, hunters and Amotekun operatives were commended for their ongoing efforts.

6. Interstate Migration Concerns:
   The governors raised concerns over unregulated migration into the region and called for tighter border monitoring, improved data collection and stronger collaboration with NIMC to ensure proper identification.

7. Illegal Mining:
   The Forum condemned the surge in illegal mining, citing threats to security, the environment and public health. It called for stricter licensing, better monitoring and tougher enforcement against illegal miners and criminal networks.

8. State Police Advocacy:
   The Forum reaffirmed its unwavering support for the creation of state police, stressing that the initiative is overdue and must no longer be delayed.

9. Agriculture & Food Security:
   The governors acknowledged Federal Government efforts to boost food sufficiency and commended farmers in the region for increased production and stabilised food prices.

10. South-West Development Commission:
    Appreciation was extended to President Tinubu for establishing the Commission, with a charge for it to deliver effectively on its mandate.

11. DAWN Commission Recognition:
    The Forum praised the DAWN Commission for its role in promoting regional integration and security coordination.

12. Call for Unity:
    The governors urged residents of the South-West to remain united and committed to sustaining the region’s long-standing culture of peace and religious harmony.