The Southwest Development Commission (SWDC) has held its maiden board meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, with a firm commitment to fast-tracking infrastructure, industrialization, and human capital development across the six states of the region.
Chaired by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi with Dr. Charles Akinola as Managing Director/CEO, the meeting outlined a strategic framework tagged the “One Bloc Development Agenda”, designed to harmonize projects, pool resources, and promote regional integration.
Dr. Akinola stressed that the commission will prioritize job creation, technology adoption, food security, and energy access, positioning the Southwest as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse. He also called for active collaboration from state governments, private investors, traditional institutions, and civil society to ensure sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
The establishment of the SWDC, backed by the National Assembly, is seen as a major step towards coordinated regional development and reducing duplication of efforts across states.