Governors of the South-West region have taken a decisive step to curb rising insecurity by establishing a regional security fund and a digital intelligence-sharing platform.
The announcement followed an emergency meeting held on Monday, November 24, 2025, at the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Ibadan.
The meeting brought together Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti). Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun was represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi.
At the end of the meeting, Lagos State Governor and Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, outlined the key resolutions, which included the creation of the South-West Security Fund (SWSF), domiciled under the DAWN Commission and coordinated by the Forum of Special Advisers on Security. The fund will facilitate monthly interventions to tackle regional security challenges.
The governors also approved a digital, real-time intelligence-sharing system to enable seamless exchange of threat notifications, incident reports, traveller and cargo alerts, and to coordinate rapid state-to-state responses.
Commending the NSCDC, Amotekun Corps, and hunters’ groups, the governors urged the Federal Government to support deployment of Forest Guards across the region to reclaim forest areas from criminals.
They also highlighted concerns over unregulated interstate migration, calling for stricter border monitoring, biometric registration, and improved collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
Reiterating the long-standing demand for state police, the governors declared: “The time is now. It can no longer be delayed.”
The communiqué further praised federal efforts toward food sufficiency and lauded farmers for stabilising food production and prices.
The governors also commended the establishment of the South-West Development Commission (SWDC) and urged effective delivery on its mandate.
“We remain one, indivisible entity that will continue to enjoy and guard the religious tolerance that we have always been known for,” the communiqué stated.
