The Senate Committee on the South-West Development Commission has declared its readiness to drive transformative regional development, positioning the newly established commission as a flagship model for inclusive growth, infrastructure renewal, and economic empowerment in Nigeria.

During the committee’s inaugural session on Tuesday, held at the Senate New Building, senators outlined a bold and ambitious roadmap for transforming the region into a national model of integrated development, economic revitalisation, and infrastructure renewal.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Yunus Abiodun Akintunde, opened the session by referencing the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, a legacy framework that already offers strong data, strategy, and regional buy-in.

He emphasised the need for the commission to build on this groundwork, engage all stakeholders across the six states, and establish a development template for the rest of the country.

“The Southwest is the industrial and commercial hub of Nigeria. Our forebears have handed us a legacy and a template — it is now our duty to hand our children a banner without stain,” Akintunde said.
“We must integrate existing frameworks, collaborate across state lines, and ensure that this commission delivers visible, lasting impact.”

He delivered a bold vision for a commission that moves beyond paper mandates to real-world impact.
“This is a mandate for action, not bureaucracy,” Akintunde said. “We are committed to building a commission that delivers results—jobs, roads, innovation hubs, and real opportunities for our people.”

The committee, he added, will operate on the principles of transparency, innovation, and accountability, ensuring that every intervention meets the practical needs of communities across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states.

A key immediate task is to screen presidential nominees for the leadership of the commission. Akintunde assured Nigerians that this would not be a mere formality, but a rigorous process to select credible professionals with vision, competence, and integrity.

“The calibre of leadership we approve will define the success or failure of the commission. We intend to get it right from day one,” he said.

Akintunde also linked the committee’s work to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stating that the initiative reflects a broader national shift toward regional equity and results-driven development.

The committee’s core priorities include upgrading infrastructure (roads, electricity, housing, and broadband)l empowering youth through skills, tech, and entrepreneurship; revitalising agriculture and supporting local industries, as well as attracting private-sector investments and partnerships.

Beyond budget allocations, the committee planned to introduce reform-minded legislation that would institutionalise public-private partnerships, foster innovation, and strengthen community ownership of development projects.

“For us, development is not theory—it is delivery,” Akintunde stated. “We want citizens to feel the difference in their daily lives, from job opportunities to better roads and responsive governance.”

As momentum builds, observers say the South-West Development Commission could become a template for similar efforts in other zones if effectively executed.

“With the right leadership and consistent oversight, we can redefine what regional development means in Nigeria,” Akintunde concluded.

Several senators echoed the chairman’s sentiments, highlighting infrastructure and human capital development as twin pillars for the commission’s success.

They emphasised the need for strategic road linkages, such as Shagamu to the border of Kwara State, and intra-regional integration that connects major economic corridors.

Senator Wasiu Eshilokun praised ongoing coordination but noted the importance of pulling resources together under one harmonised agenda.
“If we act in silos, we fail. Let us coordinate and consolidate for full impact,” he said.