Leaders from across the South-West have called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently prioritise regional integration and infrastructure renewal across Yoruba-speaking states.
They also backed the economic reforms of President Tinubu, describing them as essential for Nigeria’s economic stability, regional competitiveness, and long-term prosperity.
They noted that while the reforms demand short-term sacrifices, they are designed to lay a sustainable foundation for industrial growth, job creation, and infrastructural renewal across the country.
The summit also urged the president to give urgent attention to the rehabilitation of key road networks and economic linkages across the region, stressing that their revival remains vital to Nigeria’s overall development agenda and regional competitiveness.
This was part of the policy resolutions contained in the communiqué issued at the end of the South-West Citizens-Government Engagement Summit held in Akure, Ondo State, capital.
The summit, attended by political leaders, technocrats, traditional rulers, and civil society organisations, reaffirmed their commitment to regional unity, infrastructure renewal, and economic transformation.
The summit, which was also attended by top government functionaries and representatives of the Federal Government, emphasised that the reconstruction of strategic highways such as the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa road, Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, Ita-Owure-Ado Ekiti highway, and Ifaki-Lokoja road is critical to boosting trade, easing the movement of goods and people, and stimulating industrial growth across the Southwest corridor.
The communiqué read: “The summit strongly advocates for accelerated regional integration through strategic infrastructure projects, including intra-regional railway networks, industrial hubs, and farm settlements.
“These transformative projects will enhance trade, create jobs, boost food security, and strengthen economic ties among Southwest states, while strengthening the region’s position as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse.
We call the attention of the Federal Government to the deplorable conditions of some of the federal roads in the Southwest, including the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesha federal highway, the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, the Ita-Owure-Ado-Ekiti highway, and the Ifaki-Lokoja highway.
The summit expressed its support for the ongoing economic reforms of the Federal Government under President Tinubu, describing them as “bold, necessary steps toward Nigeria’s long-term stability and prosperity.”
While acknowledging that these reforms may present short-term challenges, they are essential for Nigeria’s long-term economic stability and prosperity.
They however, urged the Federal Government to intensify public enlightenment and transparent communication on the rationale, impact, and implementation timelines of these reforms.
“The South-West stakeholders express strong support for the bold economic reforms being implemented by the Federal Government under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, acknowledging that while these reforms may present short-term challenges, they are essential for Nigeria’s long-term economic stability and prosperity.
“We call on the Federal Government to intensify public enlightenment and information dissemination on the government’s policies, programs, and expected impacts, recognizing that citizens require clear, transparent, and regular communication to fully understand policy rationale, and implementation timelines, as well as measurable outcomes.
“Citizens require clear, consistent, and factual information on government policies to build trust and understanding,” the communiqué stated, calling on the Federal Ministry of Information, the FIRS, and the National Orientation Agency to engage the public more effectively.”
Participants at the summit emphasized that political leadership at all levels must be guided by vision, integrity, and accountability, urging public office holders to prioritize citizens’ welfare over partisan interests.
According to them, the legitimacy of government rests on its capacity to deliver transparent and people-centered outcomes and said that, “good governance requires prioritizing citizens’ needs in all policy decisions and resource allocations.”
The summit resolved to transcend partisan divides in pursuit of collective prosperity, pledging to reclaim and strengthen the region’s historical position as Nigeria’s benchmark for excellence in development and governance.
The summit calls for strengthened Yoruba unity and solidarity across all Southwest states and extended Yoruba communities, committing to transcend partisan political differences in pursuit of collective regional development and the advancement of our shared cultural heritage and economic posterity.
“The South-West region resolves to reclaim and strengthen its historical position as Nigeria’s space center in development, innovation, and good governance, committing to serve as a model for democratic engagement, economic transformation, and social progress.
“Political leaders at all levels of government must be guided by vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people rather than narrow partisan interests.
“Good governance requires prioritization of citizens’ needs in all policy decisions and resource allocations, and this should be done with accountability and transparency.
“The southwest summit shall be institutionalized as an annual event to ensure sustained dialogue between government and citizens, providing a consistent platform for policy assessment, stakeholder feedback, and collaboration for regional development.
“Sector-specific working groups shall be established to provide continuous input on policy development and implementation, meeting regularly to review progress, address challenges, and make evidence-based recommendations to the government.
“The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission shall be strengthened as the technical secretariat for the Southwest Summit.”
The delegates expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and for approving the participation of Federal Government representatives at the summit.
“We also appreciate federal ministers and government officials who engaged meaningfully with citizens during the summit, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and all stakeholders who contributed to its success.
“We have demonstrated that structured dialogue between government and citizens is not only possible but essential to effective governance and sustainable development.
“We call upon the Federal Government, state government officials, and all stakeholders to take immediate and sustained action on the resolutions contained herein.”
“This inaugural Southwest Citizens-Government Engagement Summit marks a watershed moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
It has demonstrated that structured dialogue between government and citizens is not only possible but essential for effective governance and sustainable development,” the communiqué read.
They also commended Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, along with the government and people of the state, for their exceptional hospitality and effective organization of what was described as a landmark regional gathering.
The communiqué further acknowledged the solidarity and commitment of all Southwest governors who co-hosted the event, Chief Reuben Fasoranti and the Afenifere leadership for their vision and enduring advocacy for Yoruba unity, and the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission for providing technical partnership and coordination support throughout the summit process.
