South West Development Commission Unveils Agenda at First Board Meeting

The South West Development Commission (SWDC) has held its maiden board meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, where it unveiled plans to drive economic growth and regional integration across the zone.

The meeting, held on Sept. 1 and 2, brought together newly inaugurated board members led by Chairman, Sen. Olubunmi Adetunmbi, alongside the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Charles Akinola.

Speaking with journalists after the session, Adetunmbi described the commission as a landmark intervention under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to tackle developmental challenges in the South West in a coordinated and sustainable manner.

“The commission is set for full take-off and committed to delivering on its mandate. Our duty is to catalyse investments that will make the South West a competitive economic bloc within a prosperous Nigeria,” he said.

Akinola explained that the SWDC would adopt a “One Bloc Development Agenda,” harmonising initiatives across the six states to deliver shared prosperity.
“Whether in agriculture, technology or transport, we will pursue regional solutions that cut across state boundaries,” he said, while urging the support of state governments, private sector leaders, traditional rulers and civil society.

Established in 2024 after years of agitation for a regional intervention agency similar to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the SWDC is mandated to drive infrastructure development, foster industrialisation, create jobs, strengthen regional integration and promote human capital growth.

Its executive directors include Olusegun Olufehinti (Projects), Tele Ogunjobi (Finance), Rt. Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho (Corporate Services) and Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle (Commercial and Environmental Development). Others are Alhaji Lateef Ajijola (Social and Human Capital Development), alongside several distinguished members drawn from across the region and beyond.

Headquartered in Ibadan and backed by an Act of the National Assembly signed into law in 2025, the commission is expected to serve as the vehicle for coordinated planning and execution of transformative projects in the South West.