The South-West Regional Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries has raised the alarm over what it described as increasing terrorist incursions into the region through the North-Western corridor linking Kwara and Kogi states.
The association said the development poses a grave threat to farming activities, food supply chains and rural livelihoods across the South-West.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its 10th Quarterly General Meeting held on February 5, 2026, in Osogbo, Osun State.
The meeting, attended by eminent personalities, was declared open by the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye.
In the communiqué jointly signed by the Regional President, Demola Badejo (Esq.), and Chairman of the Communiqué Committee, Alhaji Kunle Adegbite, the retired top civil servants called on South-West governors to urgently strengthen security architecture in the region.
They advocated a hybrid model of state and community policing, enhanced inter-state intelligence sharing, and greater investment in agriculture, particularly in rural infrastructure, agro-processing facilities, storage systems and market access.
“The increasing security breaches are already disrupting farming and food production, with dire consequences for rural economies and food security in the region,” the communiqué stated.
The association also resolved to interface and collaborate with regional bodies, including the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria and the South West Development Commission, as part of efforts to advance sustainable development in the zone.
On welfare matters, the retired officials commended South-West governors for the prompt payment of pensions and gratuities to members.
However, they urged the governors to urgently address issues of pension parity in view of the prevailing economic hardship in the country.
The meeting further called on Heads of Service across the region to maintain close working relationships with their respective governors to advance the association’s objectives.
The association recalled that during the launch of its book on development addenda for the South-West in Ibadan in 2025, governors in the region made financial pledges in support of its programmes.
It noted, however, that only Ondo State had redeemed its pledge, urging the remaining five states to emulate the gesture.
The retired permanent secretaries expressed appreciation to the Osun State Government for supporting the hosting of the meeting, which they described as productive and timely.
They announced that the next quarterly meeting of the association would hold in Oyo State in June 2026.
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