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After months of rising insecurity, porous borders, criminal-infested forests, and illegal mining cartels tightening their grip on the South-West, the region’s governors finally convened in Ibadan on Monday, November 24, 2025, and this time, they came armed with resolutions instead of excuses.

Meeting under the South-West Governors’ Forum, the governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo admitted, in clear terms, that the region is at a tipping point. From kidnappings to cross-border banditry, unregulated migration, and the silent takeover of forests by criminal networks, the communiqué reads like a confession that the threats long ignored can no longer be wished away.

Yet, amidst the crisis, they opened with effusive praise for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, acknowledging his security efforts and economic reforms, while pledging solidarity with the Federal Government over the recent mass abductions in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger. They applauded the rescue efforts, but beneath the diplomacy lies a stark truth: the South-West is racing against time.

A Security Fund — At Last

One of the headline decisions was the creation of a South-West Security Fund (SWSF) under the DAWN Commission. For years, analysts and citizens have demanded collective funding for regional security. Now, with kidnappers roaming freely and forests turning into operational bases, the governors have finally agreed to pool resources. Security advisers from all states will meet monthly; a welcome move, though long overdue.

Real-Time Intelligence: No More Working Blind

Perhaps the most consequential decision is the establishment of a live digital intelligence-sharing platform. For a region with high mobility and interconnected borders, the absence of a unified intelligence grid has been a gift to criminals. The new system will track threats, movement of suspicious persons and cargo, and coordinate swift responses. If implemented sincerely, it could close the gaps criminals have exploited for years.

The Forests: Nigeria’s Forgotten Battleground

The governors openly acknowledged what residents already know: the forests have become criminal sanctuaries. They commended NSCDC, hunters, Amotekun, and other agencies, but more importantly, they demanded that the Federal Government deploy Forest Guards, while states provide manpower. This is a step toward taking back the wilderness that has become a theatre of fear.

Unregulated Migration: A Security Time Bomb

The Forum finally spoke on the politically sensitive but critical issue of unregulated interstate migration. They called for stricter border monitoring, better data, and collaboration with NIMC for proper identification. For years, the region has watched unknown persons pour in without profiling; a loophole that has repeatedly enabled insecurity. The governors now appear ready to confront the issue head-on.

Illegal Mining: The Criminal Economy Flourishing in Broad Daylight

Illegal mining — the quiet crisis driving violence across several states received uncommon attention. The governors demanded tougher licensing, vigilant monitoring, and strict enforcement, signalling readiness to dismantle criminal mining rings that often serve as funding pipelines for armed groups.

State Police: The Dam Finally Breaks

The Forum reaffirmed its stance with a bold declaration: “The time is now.” The governors insist State Police is no longer optional. In a region where Amotekun has shown flashes of potential, the push for constitutional decentralisation of policing is a loud admission that Abuja alone cannot secure Nigeria.

Beyond Security: A Region Revisiting Its Development Blueprint

The governors commended farmers whose efforts have stabilised food prices, and they thanked President Tinubu for establishing the South-West Development Commission, urging it to hit the ground running. DAWN Commission was also praised for driving integration and coordination.

A Call to Unity, and a Subtle Warning

The communiqué ended with a call for unity, peace, and preservation of the South-West’s age-long religious tolerance. But behind the gentle language is a quiet warning: the region must stand together or risk being overwhelmed by forces already testing its boundaries.

Here’s full text of the South-West Governors’ communique

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE SOUTH-WEST GOVERNORS’ FORUM MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 24TH NOVEMBER 2025, AT THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, SECRETARIAT, IBADAN, OYO STATE

The South-West Governors’ Forum, comprising the Governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo States, held its meeting on Monday, 24th November 2025, at the Governor’s Office Secretariat, Ibadan, Oyo State. After extensive deliberations on various issues, including agriculture, economic and regional development and security challenges affecting the South-West region, the Forum resolved as follows:

The Forum commends Mr. President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the fight against insecurity and various economic reforms and other developmental agenda.

The Forum expresses solidarity with the Federal Government in its efforts in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger States after the recent spate of kidnappings, at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, the Catholic institution of St. Mary’s in Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger and the CAC Church at Eruku, Kwara State. The forum applauds the swift response of the Federal Government towards the rescue of the Kwara abductees and more than 51 students of the Catholic School, Niger State. The forum reviewed the current state of security of our region and took some decisions to ensure the security of the lives and property of our people.

South-West Regional Security Fund: The Forum agreed to set up a South-West Security Fund (SWSF) under DAWN Commission to be administered by Forum of Special Advisers on Security of all South-West States and to meet monthly.
Joint Security Intelligence Sharing and Communication Platform: The forum resolves to establish a live, digital intelligence-sharing platform among all six South-West states (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti). This platform will exchange threat notifications, incident logs, traveler and cargo alerts and coordinate state-to- state rapid response.
Forest Surveillance: the Forum commends the efforts of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Hunters, Amotekun Corps Members and all the other security agencies. The Forum calls on the Federal Government to note the urgent need for enhanced forest surveillance across the South-West States and called for the Federal Government to secure the vast forest belts that have become hideouts for criminal elements. To this end, the Forum agrees that the Federal Government should help deploy Forest Guards across the South-West states, with each State Government responsible for providing the required personnel. The Governors reaffirm their collective commitment to reclaiming the forests, and ensuring that these spaces no longer serve as safe-corridors for banditry, kidnapping, or any form of criminal activities.
Interstate Migration: the forum expresses deep concern on the unregulated interstate migration that continues to pose significant challenges across the South-West. The forum calls for stricter border monitoring, data collection and self- identification and each South-West States to work with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for proper identification. The forum agrees to intensify security collaboration to ensure that interstate migration does not become a conduit for insecurity.
Illegal Mining Activities: The forum expresses deep concern over the escalating illegal mining activities across the South-West States, which continue to threaten environmental safety, public health and regional security. The forum calls for comprehensive and enforceable licensing framework, strengthened monitoring mechanisms, and strict enforcement actions against violators who may perpetrate violent crimes under the guise of mining.
State Police: The Forum reaffirms its support for the establishment of State Police, emphasizing that ‘The Time is Now’ and it can no longer be delayed.
Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Resilience: The Forum acknowledges and appreciates the efforts of the Federal Government in providing food sufficiency and in particular commends the various farmers in the region for the increase in agricultural output and subsequent stability and reduction in food prices.
South-West Development Commission (SWDC): The Forum thanks Mr. President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the establishment of the commission and charges the Commission to effectively deliver on its mandate.
DAWN Commission: The Forum commends the DAWN Commission and its activities on regional integration and security.
Finally, the forum enjoins all the South-West people to remain united and committed to the peace that exists in our dear region. We remain one, indivisible entity that will continue to enjoy and guard the religious tolerance that we have always been known for.