Oyo appointees to SWDC vow commitment to regional growth

By Adejayan Gbenga

Stakeholders from Oyo State appointed to the newly established South West Development Commission (SWDC) have pledged their commitment to driving infrastructural development and fostering an enabling environment for business and economic integration in the region.

This commitment follows the commencement of operations by regional development commissions nationwide, a move widely regarded as a strategic initiative to address Nigeria’s regional disparities and boost inclusive growth.

Among Oyo State’s representatives are Senator Yunus Akintunde, who chairs the Senate Committee on the SWDC, and Hon. Prince Akeem Adeyemi, a member of the House of Representatives, who chairs the corresponding committee in the lower chamber.

Also serving on the management and board of the Commission are Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, a seasoned technocrat appointed as Executive Director of Commercial and Environmental Development, and Dr. Ibrahim Olaifa, a medical doctor and former federal lawmaker.

Speaking at various public engagements, the appointees expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent Oyo State and pledged to exceed expectations in their efforts to promote sustainable development across the South West.

Senator Akintunde and Hon. Adeyemi, during a courtesy visit to stakeholders at the National Assembly, described the creation of the regional commissions as a bold and transformative move by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reposition Nigeria for accelerated growth.

They noted that the SWDC, in particular, is poised to play a critical role in regional integration, job creation, and economic diversification, ultimately helping to secure Nigeria’s place in Africa’s development landscape.

The Oyo appointees assured the public of their resolve to make the SWDC a benchmark for excellence, not as a matter of competition, but as a strategic demonstration of what effective regional development can achieve nationwide.