“Our duty is to catalyse investments that will make the Southwest a competitive economic bloc within a prosperous Nigeria. By focusing on infrastructure, innovation, education, and enterprise, we shall not only unlock new opportunities for our people but also strengthen Nigeria’s overall economic resilience”
By Nudoiba Ojen
The Southwest Development Commission (SWDC) has expressed determination to deliver on its statutory mandate in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
SWDC, at its inaugural Board meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday and Tuesday outlined an ambitious agenda aimed at unlocking the full economic potential of the Southwest region.
The commission, at the meeting, which brought together all newly inaugurated board members, including the Chairman, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi; the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), Dr Charles Akinola; executive directors; and other board members, declared that the commission was “set for full take-off”.
Akinola, the MD/CEO, in a chat with journalists after the meeting, reiterated the commission’s determination to deliver on its statutory mandate.
He said, “The establishment of the SWDC is a landmark intervention by President Tinubu to address the developmental challenges of our region in a coordinated, strategic and sustainable manner. We are grateful to Mr President for the trust reposed in us, and we assure the people of the Southwest that this commission will deliver fully on its mandate*.
According to him, the commission’s mandate includes driving infrastructure development, fostering industrialisation, strengthening regional integration, creating jobs, and promoting human capital development across the six states of the Southwest.
He said that the priorities are aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places emphasis on economic diversification, poverty reduction, and inclusive growth.
“Our duty is to catalyse investments that will make the Southwest a competitive economic bloc within a prosperous Nigeria. By focusing on infrastructure, innovation, education, and enterprise, we shall not only unlock new opportunities for our people but also strengthen Nigeria’s overall economic resilience,” he added.
Akinola unveiled what he described as the “One Bloc Development Agenda,” a strategy that will harmonise initiatives into a unified framework for regional growth.
He said: “Rather than pursuing fragmented projects in isolation, the One Bloc Development Agenda will allow us to pool resources, coordinate efforts, and ensure that the Southwest speaks with one voice in terms of development priorities. This means that whether in agriculture, technology, or transport, we will pursue regional solutions that cut across state boundaries and deliver shared prosperity.”
According to him, this approach will attract large-scale investments, and foster collaboration among states in the Southwest.
Dr Akinola called on all stakeholders, including state governments, private sector leaders, traditional institutions, and civil society organisations, to support the commission’s vision.
“The success of the SWDC cannot rest on the Board alone. We need the full cooperation of our governors, legislators, business leaders, community stakeholders and indeed every citizen of the Southwest to bring this vision to life. This is our collective project, and with unity of purpose, we can make the Southwest not only the economic powerhouse of Nigeria but also a globally competitive region.”
The Southwest Development Commission (SWDC) is led by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi as Chairman and Dr. Charles Akinola as Managing Director. The commission’s Board includes Executive Directors Olusegun Olufehinti (Projects), Tele Ogunjobi (Finance), Rt. Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho (Corporate Services), Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle (Commercial and Environmental Development), and Alhaji Lateef Ajijola (Social and Human Capital Development).
Other board members are Hon Bolaji Ariyo, Hon Joseph Olorunshola, Rt. Hon Olanike Omoworare, Hon Olamuyiwa Olabintan, Dr. Adewinle Martins, Hon Ibrahim Olaifa, Hon Kabiru Lakwaya, Rear Admiral Abdul Biu Adamu (rtd), Fagbemi Benjamin, Dr. Ukoha Onyekwere Michael, and Engr. Alwell Ihenacho.
The commission is headquartered in Ibadan, Oyo State.
