Governors of Southern Nigeria on Wednesday renewed their collective demand for the establishment of State Police and unveiled a coordinated regional security and economic development agenda during a high-level meeting hosted by Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, at his Iperu residence.
The meeting, which brought together Governors from the South-West, South-East and South-South, focused heavily on rising insecurity, economic pressures, and the need for stronger inter-state collaboration to safeguard the region.
In his opening remarks, Governor Abiodun praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as “transformative national reforms,” highlighting the removal of fuel subsidy, stabilisation of the exchange rate, improved petroleum product availability, and fiscal discipline as key gains of the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Abiodun noted that the President’s intervention in the recent abduction of schoolchildren—where he personally coordinated rescue operations—demonstrated “rare leadership and unwavering commitment to the protection of every Nigerian life.”
While acknowledging ongoing federal infrastructure projects such as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, the Governor commended the Federal Government’s fiscal support to states, which he said has enabled subnationals to improve infrastructure and clear outstanding obligations.
Turning to security, the Governor declared that the establishment of State Police has become “a non-negotiable requirement for true federalism and effective grassroots protection.”
He argued that recent security incidents nationwide show the urgent need to decentralise policing so states can better safeguard schools, farmlands, border communities and critical infrastructure.
Abiodun proposed a comprehensive regional security framework, including:
A real-time digital intelligence-sharing platform for all Southern states, a coordinated Safe School Programme, Joint audits of major road, rail and maritime corridors, Integration of community policing with traditional institutions, A Regional Rapid Response Fund for emergencies
He emphasised that traditional rulers — described as custodians of culture and the closest authority to grassroots communities — would play a central role in the new security architecture.
Beyond security, the Southern Governors also deliberated on a unified economic development strategy. Governor Abiodun highlighted the region’s vast natural resources, including crude oil, gas, bitumen, limestone, precious minerals, and fertile agricultural land, asserting that coordinated investment across the value chain could unlock “new revenue streams and millions of jobs.”
He announced plans for a region-wide connectivity programme linking capitals, industrial hubs, ports, airports and agricultural zones, as well as the establishment of a Joint Centre for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship to equip young people for the digital economy, agritech and advanced manufacturing.
