Southwest leaders yesterday resolved to pursue regional integration to foster prosperity across the six states.
They also reiterated their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies and programmes, noting that a sound foundation is being laid for the future prosperity of the country.
The regional think-tank, Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN), sought stronger collaboration with the governors towards the implementation of plans designed to make the geo-political region a model in Nigeria.
It noted that only in an atmosphere of unity can the robust ideas be pulled together and deployed towards the development of the zone.
According to the stakeholders, support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is crucial to the success of the reforms that have heralded economic stability and long-term prosperity.
These resolutions were contained in the communiqué issued at the end of the two-day Southwest Stakeholders’ Dialogue, organised by the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, the DAWN Commission, and Southwest Governors’ Forum, held in Akure, Ondo State.
The theme of the conference was: “Strengthening Democracy Through Dialogue: Assessing Progress, Charting the Future.”
The event, which was held at the International Conference Centre (The DOME), Akure in Ondo State, was attended by governors of the six Southwest states, traditional rulers, religious leaders, scholars, religious leaders, civil society groups, women and youth groups.
At yesterday’s session, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, disclosed that over N7 billion was generated from mining fees and approvals for private mineral-buying centres across the country between January and September 2025.
He said Southwest has the highest contribution in the sector in the last nine months.
Eminent cleric, retired Methodist Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, who also spoke at the conference, urged Nigerians to cooperate with President Tinubu in his quest to reposition the country for excellence.
He lauded the reforms, saying that the government cannot be subsidising everything in the country.
According to the communiqué by the organisers, while some challenges are associated with the economic reforms in the short term, they are necessary for sustainable growth.
It, however, urged the Federal Government to intensify public enlightenment on its policies and programmes so that Nigerians can understand their objectives and impacts.
The communique reads: “The Southwest stakeholders express strong support for the bold economic reforms being implemented by the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 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, programmes, and expected impacts. Citizens require clear, transparent, and regular communication to fully understand policy rationale, implementation timelines, and measurable outcomes
“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 prosperity.
“The Southwest resolves to reclaim and strengthen its historical position as Nigeria’s centre of development, innovation, and good governance, and to serve as a model for democratic engagement, economic transformation, and social progress.”
The stakeholders called for accelerated regional integration through strategic infrastructure projects, including intra-regional railway networks, industrial hubs, and farm settlements, which they said would boost trade, create jobs, and enhance food security.
They drew the Federal Government’s attention to the poor conditions of federal roads in the region, including the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesha, Lagos-Abeokuta, Ita-Owure-Ado-Ekiti, and Ifaki-Lokoja highways.
To sustain engagement, the summit resolved to institutionalise the Southwest Dialogue as an annual event, serving as a consistent platform for policy assessment and stakeholder collaboration.
It added: “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 government.”
The communiqué also stated that the DAWN Commission would be strengthened to serve as the technical secretariat of the summit.
Alake said over N30 billion was generated from mining fees and approvals for private mineral-buying centres across the country between January and September.
He said the region contributed N7.2 billion to the total revenue, making it the highest contributor to the mining income.
Alake said it is a significant leap in investor confidence and sectoral growth.
He said: “It is with pride that I announce authoritatively here today that between January and September this year, we have recorded over N13 billion as total revenue. And, wait for this – the South-West contributed N7.2 billion, making it the highest contributor to mining revenues of the federal government.”
The minister attributed the revenue boost to reforms and awareness campaigns designed to attract investors into the solid minerals sector, adding that the Southwest is strategically positioned to reap economic dividends from the reforms.
Alake said: “The Southwest has the most successful gold mining project in Nigeria – the Segilola Gold Project – which in 2024 declared a turnover of $193 million at its international headquarters.
“The Segilola Gold Mining Project in Osun State employs over 2,000 workers, 80 per cent of whom are youths below 40 years of age.”
Alake said the project pays the highest taxes and royalties in the gold sub-sector, significantly boosting Nigeria’s presence in the global gold market.
He added: “This success is credited to Sheikh Horos, the Managing Director and CEO of Segilola Gold in Washington. The project is key to marketing Nigeria at various international forums.”
Highlighting the mineral wealth of the region, Alake described the Southwest as being richly endowed with gold, lithium, limestone, granite, clay, silica, salt, feldspar, kaolin, laterite, quartz, manganese, beryllium, and gemstones.
He said: “Our records show that South-West companies hold 1,801 mineral titles, including 630 exploration licenses, 51 mining leases, 284 quarry leases, and 836 small-scale mining licenses.
“As of October 15, Ondo State had the highest number of titles at 481, followed by Oyo (441) and Osun (374). The South-West’s large concentration of quarry leases also explains the cluster of mining explosives manufacturing companies in the region.”
The minister disclosed that the government had licensed 46 private mineral buying centres and registered 369 mining cooperatives with over 5,000 members.
He said the cooperative model serves as a non-kinetic strategy to combat illegal mining.
Alake said the introduction of higher royalties and fees has boosted government revenue and encouraged mergers and acquisitions among mining firms, thereby improving their financial capacity and access to funding.
He stressed: “Previously, individuals held as many as 35 mining licenses without operating any. Meanwhile, investors with capital lacked licenses. The review of fees forced consolidation and improved financial discipline in the sector.”
Alake also said that revenues from the Mining Cadastral Office doubled from N6 billion in 2023 to N12.2 billion in 2024, and by last week had climbed by 110 per cent to N26.7 billion in 2025.
He added: “As we approach the year’s end, we expect even greater achievements.”
Ladigbolu, chairman of Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) and Afenifere elder, warned against resistance to reforms.
The cleric spoke on: A Reflection on Economic Restructuring and National Renewal.”
He listed 11 benefits that would accrue to the country if the economic reforms succeed.
Ladigbolu said: “It will make more money available to the Government for infrastructure development and eventually reduce expenses.
“Electricity generation (for example) will improve, and we will need less Petrol and Diesel for powering our generators. More vehicles will also be powered by gas, thus reducing our reliance on PMS. The availability of cooking gas will reduce dependence on firewood and charcoal, thereby protecting our environment from degradation.
“Massive transportation facilities will be available, like trains and buses, thereby reducing the number of Heavy-duty trucks and tankers on our roads. This, in turn, will reduce our expenses on road repairs and maintenance nationwide.
“Affordable healthcare services will be at our beck and call, while global standard education will also thrive.
“The policies will drive massive local manufacturing and production (like we once had at Lafia Canning Industry, Apata, Ibadan).
“We shall return to agricultural investments and the use of local products. Our Engineers and Technologists will embrace innovation and creativity, producing appropriate tools and machines for our small, medium and large-scale industries without needing to use the Dollar to import them from America or China or Korea.
“Our flashy, showoffish, and extravagant lifestyles will be curtailed, and more and more will live within their means. Wasteful, careless spending will be under control. Our number of personal vehicles and luxury automobiles will be curtailed, and unnecessary travel will be avoided.
“As we grow wiser (but not miserly), more Nigerians will ask questions of our Governments and make them accountable for the disbursement and management of public funds.
“Public office holders nationwide will be more careful and watchful. Corruption will be drastically reduced.
“The price of PMS, gas, pipe-borne water and other utilities will reduce as we all determine to sacrifice for our Great Nation, Nigeria.
“The fear of God and brotherly love will permeate every aspect of our reformed lives, affecting both the leaders and their followers; for ‘when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.”
Ladigbolu urged the Federal Government to approach the implementation of the new tax law with sensitivity, fairness, and adequate public enlightenment.
He stressed the need for public trust and understanding in driving economic reforms.
Ladigbolu urged the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Ministry of Information, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to embark on massive public engagement to educate Nigerians on the objectives and implications of the new tax regime.
He enjoined Nigerians to remain patient and optimistic about the ongoing economic reforms initiated by the Federal Government.
He also expressed confidence that the country would reap substantial benefits if the reforms were pursued with transparency and consistency.
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke urged the Southwest to leverage the federal support to drive agro-industrialisation.
He said that each state can focus on a product in which it has a comparative advantage.
Adeleke, who was represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, said the region should adopt a strategic development outlook that prioritises regional growth, irrespective of political affiliations.
The governor proposed the development of a circular cargo railway for the Southwest in partnership with the Federal Government, describing it as a catalyst for regional economic expansion.
Adewusisaid: “We must additionally develop a network of dry ports across the zone, all linked with the circular railway project. It is our position that the South-West must elevate power applications beyond partisan considerations.”
On security, the governor said: “For security, we must enhance and strengthen Amotekun instead of current efforts to demonise the body based on partisan considerations.”
Adeleke emphasised the need for political unity in the region, warning against the misuse of federal power.
He said: “More importantly, we must never deploy federal power against ourselves, no matter the differences. We must develop an internal clearing house where disagreements can be sorted,” Adeleke said.
The governor also cautioned against compromising democratic principles in the pursuit of development, urging political leaders in the region to uphold electoral integrity.
He added, “I must warn that we must never compromise democracy in our quest for development. As the most literate segment of the Nigerian society, the Southwest must enhance and protect the rights of its citizens to vote and be voted for. Southwest should be the bastion of free and fair elections in Nigeria.
“We must avoid the temptation to rig elections, as the consequences have never been palatable. The rights of the people as expressed through the ballot boxes must be respected.”
At yesterday’s session were former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Senator Okunrinboye, Senator Femi Okunnu, Chief Jamiu Ekungba, Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, presidential aides- Tunde Rahmon, Bolaji Adebiyi and Tope Ajayi, Chief Kole Omololu and former Information Commissioner Yemi Olowolabi.
Also at the event were the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo, Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo and Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Obateru Akinruntan.
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