President Bola Tinubu has nominated a 15-member governing board for the newly established South-West Development Commission (SWDC) and has forwarded the list to the Senate for confirmation.
In a letter dated May 7, 2025, and addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President requested legislative approval for the appointments, in line with Part 1, Section 2(5)(c) of the South-West Development Commission (Establishment) Act, 2025.
Heading the list of nominees is Senator Olubunmi Adetunbi, who is proposed as Chairman of the Board. Dr. Charles Diji Akinola, former Chief of Staff to the Osun State Governor, has been nominated as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Bolaji Idris Ariyo, Joseph Akin Olugbenga, and Hon. Scholastica Olaniike Omoworare, all representing Osun and Lagos States. Oluwamuyiwa Timothy Olabimtan and Dr. Adeniwale Olayinde Martins were nominated from Ondo State, while Hon. Dr. Ibrahim Adeniyi Olaifa represents Oyo State.
The commission includes representatives from other geopolitical zones: Hon. Kabiru Ado Lakwaya from the North-West, Rear Admiral (Rtd.) Abdul Biu Adamu from the North-East, Mr. Arinola Fagbemi from the North-Central, Ukoha Onyekwere from the South-East, and Engr. Howell Ihenacho from the South-South.
Others nominated to serve as Executive Directors include Olusegun Joshua Olufehinti, for Projects, from Ondo State, and Tele Ogunjobi, for Finance, from Ogun State.
The South-West Development Commission was set up to drive economic growth, infrastructure development, and regional planning across the South-West states. The inclusion of members from across the six geopolitical zones has been widely seen as a move to ensure national integration and cooperation.
The Senate is expected to begin screening and confirmation of the nominees in the coming days
