South-West Governors Launch Regional Security Fund, Approve Intelligence-Sharing Network
25th November, 2025
In a major push to confront rising insecurity, governors of Nigeria’s South-West on Monday unveiled a coordinated regional security plan featuring a dedicated security fund and a digital intelligence-sharing system.
The leaders, who met at an emergency session in Ibadan, Oyo State, also renewed their call for the creation of state police and agreed to tighten border monitoring across the zone.
Hosted at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, the meeting brought together Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo). Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke was represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi.
The session focused on strengthening collaborative security measures, expediting key infrastructural initiatives, and deepening regional cooperation under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN).
Following deliberations, the governors announced a series of region-wide decisions, including the establishment of the South West Security Fund (SWSF)—to be managed through the DAWN Commission and coordinated by the Forum of Special Advisers on Security, which will meet monthly.
They also endorsed the rollout of a real-time digital intelligence-sharing platform for all six states, designed to exchange threat alerts, incident reports, traveller and cargo information, and support rapid, coordinated responses.
In a communiqué read by Lagos State Governor and Forum Chairman, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governors expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ongoing security and economic reforms, and commended recent federal-led rescue operations in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger States.
Acknowledging the efforts of the NSCDC, local hunters and Amotekun Corps, the governors urged the Federal Government to deploy Forest Guards across the region, while states provide personnel, describing the initiative as key to reclaiming vulnerable forest areas.
The communiqué also flagged concerns over unregulated interstate migration, calling for stricter border controls, biometric data capture, and closer work with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
Reaffirming their longstanding stance on decentralised policing, the governors declared: “The time for state police is now. It can no longer be delayed.”
They further praised federal actions aimed at boosting food production and noted the role of South-West farmers in helping stabilise prices. Appreciation was also extended to the President for establishing the South West Development Commission (SWDC), with a call for it to “effectively deliver on its mandate.”
The statement closed with a reaffirmation of the region’s unity and commitment to religious harmony.
