Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on the South-West region to spearhead Nigeria’s rebirth by strengthening collaboration across states, sectors, and communities.
Speaking at the South-West Citizen–Government Engagement Summit held in Akure, Ondo State, themed “Strengthening Democracy Through Dialogue: Assessing Progress, Charting the Future,” Sanwo-Olu said the region must rekindle the legacy of visionary governance and innovation that once defined the old Western Region under Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
He noted that the creation of the South-West Development Commission (SWDC) by President Bola Tinubu, backed by the National Assembly, offers a historic opportunity to pursue regional integration and sustainable development.
“We are gathered not just to reflect on our journey, but to reimagine our destiny — a South-West that once again sets the pace for Nigeria’s transformation,” he said.
“Let us rally around the SWDC, not in rhetoric but in action. As Chief Awolowo said, ‘It is not life that matters, but the courage you bring into it.’ Now is the time to summon that courage again,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu emphasised the need for peer learning among South-West states, urging leaders to share successful models, deepen inter-state cooperation, and jointly pursue regional infrastructure that unites rather than divides.
“The South-West has always been a land of firsts in education, broadcasting, urban planning, and governance. The question is: can we again light the path for Nigeria’s rebirth? I say yes, we can,” he declared.
Commending President Tinubu’s economic reforms, Sanwo-Olu said Nigeria is being reshaped into a nation of renewed confidence, investment, and prosperity.
“Under the transformative leadership of President Tinubu, the economy is regaining stability — a unified exchange rate, stronger currency, growing exports, and renewed investor optimism. These are visible footprints of the Renewed Hope agenda,” he stated.
He acknowledged that the reforms came with initial hardship but insisted the results now vindicate the President’s bold decisions, noting that Nigerians made the right electoral choice in 2023 — one that must be consolidated in 2027.
According to him, Lagos stands to benefit significantly from the improving macroeconomic climate through large-scale public-private partnership projects such as the Fourth Mainland Bridge, Lekki International Airport, and the Lagos Green Line.
“With Lagos hosting three of Nigeria’s busiest ports, increased trade and investment will translate into jobs, revenues, and economic expansion. The same foresight Tinubu demonstrated as Lagos Governor a quarter-century ago is once again transforming the nation,” Sanwo-Olu affirmed.
