Why?
For me, I see no justifiable reason why the South West Development Commission (SWDC), under the distinguished leadership of Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi and the managerial expertise of Mr. Charles Akinola, should not succeed.
This Commission is peopled by seasoned, tested, and accomplished professionals—true products of the South West—who have etched their names in the annals of development, governance, and public service. From every indication, the SWDC is primed for success. And as an agent of change, a UNDP-trained development communicator, and a passionate advocate for regional transformation, it behooves me to offer this open memo—part congratulatory, part cautionary, but entirely agenda-driven.
With measured optimism and a deep sense of regional duty, I extend warm congratulations to the newly inaugurated members of the SWDC. This moment is not merely ceremonial—it is emblematic of a renaissance, a long-awaited return to the visionary and self-reliant ethos that defined the Western Region under the astute stewardship of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
I salute President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his statesmanlike foresight in birthing this commission and appointing men and women of enviable pedigree. The inclusion of Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi, a cerebral parliamentarian and articulate statesman, alongside Mr. Charles Akinola, a seasoned development strategist and former Chief of Staff in Osun State, is both commendable and strategic. Other appointees equally reflect the intellectual depth, administrative maturity, and cultural consciousness the region requires.
However, while credentials abound, success is not automatic. The South West Development Commission must not be a decorative agency—it must be a deliberate force of action, innovation, and unity. It must break the silos of state-centric development and rekindle that collaborative flame which once made the West a model for governance and regional prosperity.
The South West—Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Ogun, and Oyo—is not a mere geopolitical zone. It is a cultural civilization, an economic powerhouse, and a repository of administrative excellence whose potential remains shamefully underutilized. The SWDC must embrace a bold, visionary, and contextually responsive development blueprint.
Let me begin with a sector dear to my heart: tourism and culture. South West Nigeria is a paragon of untapped tourism wealth and a bastion of cultural splendour. Yet, it has remained largely ignored in strategic development conversations. I propose that the Commission prioritise the development of this sector as a goldmine for job creation, revenue generation, youth engagement, and regional branding.
The South West is richly endowed with natural wonders, heritage corridors, and cultural festivals that can serve as immediate engines of prosperity. The waterfalls of Erin Ijesha, Ikogosi, Efon Alaaye, Arinta and others should be developed and transformed into world-class eco-tourism destinations. The heritage corridors—Badagry Slave Route, Osun-Osogbo Grove, Oyo-Ile ruins, Idanre Hills, Osun-Igede, and Sungbo’s Eredo in Ogun State , the Iwo Eleru Neolithic village in Isarun and Igbo Eledumare both in Ondo State must be revived and commercialised into sustainable economic trails.
A Regional Heritage Development Fund should be established to support the preservation of these sites, while proper tourism link roads, signage, and infrastructure must be provided to attract and facilitate movement across sites.
In the area of agriculture, the South West has no excuse to remain on the margins of Nigeria’s agrarian revolution. The land is fertile, the weather is favourable, and the people are industrious.
We must return to the farm settlement legacy that made the Western Region the leading exporter of cash crops in Africa. Reviving these settlements and integrating them into modern agribusiness models will be transformative.
A South West Agricultural Corridor must emerge—specialised in cocoa, cassava, maize, oil palm, yams, and livestock—with strong linkages to agro-processing industries. This will not only empower rural economies but will also significantly improve our export capacity and food security.
A connected region is a productive region. The SWDC must urgently design a South West Integrated Mobility Blueprint that harmonizes road, rail, and logistics development.
The construction of efficient highways linking economic and cultural zones is imperative. There is also a compelling need to explore the development of a regional rail line to ease freight movement, encourage trade, and foster inter-state commerce.
Beyond land and crops, the South West is blessed with massive bodies of water which today serve little more than aesthetic value. There are over 50 underutilised dams—Ikere Gorge, Asejire, Ero, Oyan, Ede, and Ose—whose potential for mini-hydro power generation, irrigation, and aquatic tourism is immense.
The Commission must harness these dormant giants and turn them into hubs of electricity, agriculture, and economic activities, stimulating the establishment of aquatic tourism zones and integrated irrigation systems that can boost both agriculture and recreation.
Mineral resources, another dormant asset, lie buried beneath the soil of the South West. From granite to kaolin, from limestone to gold, the region is richly endowed.
There is an urgent need for the creation of Solid Mineral Development Zones across Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Ogun, and Oyo. These zones must not just extract but process. The Commission must partner with private investors to build beneficiation plants and develop value chains, ensuring that host communities benefit through well-structured community development agreements.
Finally, the creative economy cannot be ignored. The South West is the intellectual and cultural hub of Nigeria. From Nollywood to Afrobeats, from Adire to digital design, the youth of the region are leading a quiet revolution. The Commission must harness this genius by creating regional innovation clusters—connecting universities, tech hubs, and creative studios. A South West Creative Industry Grant Scheme will be vital to support filmmakers, fashion designers, musicians, and digital entrepreneurs who carry the cultural economy of the future.
Let this Commission become the new ligament of unity, the engine of prosperity, and the altar of a renewed South West vision. Let it rekindle the fire of collaboration and coordinated action that once made our region the envy of the continent. The South West must not compete against itself. It must compete with the world.
To the members of the Commission: think boldly, act swiftly, and serve selflessly. History has placed the pen in your hands—may you write a new chapter of pride, progress, and posterity.
Wale Ojo-Lanre, Esq.
Barrister-at-Law
Tourism Diplomat | Development Advocate | Media Strategist
Director General, Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development
