South-West Development Commission to complement states’ efforts — MD

By Boye Oyeyemi –

The Managing Director of the South-West Development Commission (SWDC), Dr Charles Akinola, has said the commission will complement the efforts of state governments in driving regional development.

Akinola spoke in Akure during the South-West stakeholders’ dialogue organised by Afenifere, the DAWN Commission, and South-West governors.

“This is exactly the kind of thing that the South-West Development Commission has been set up to do.

“We must actually thank President Bola Tinubu for the vision to establish the regional commissions,” he said, noting that the SWDC would focus on projects that are regional and integrative in nature.

He described the dialogue as a crucial step in aligning priorities among the states and federal government, especially in areas such as rail and highway connectivity across the region.

Akinola said the commission plans to set up a private sector-driven development fund to finance key infrastructure and economic projects that can boost regional prosperity.

He added that the SWDC would continue engaging governors, trade groups, and communities to create a shared development vision, urging residents to support the commission’s mission of collective progress and prosperity for the South-West.