The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step towards addressing regional development challenges by passing a bill to establish the South West Development Commission (SWDC).
This legislation, sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel (APC, Ogun East), aims to boost socio-economic growth in the six states comprising the South-west zone: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti.
The bill’s passage followed the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Special Duties, chaired by Senator Kaka Shehu. After a clause-by-clause consideration at the Committee of the Whole, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, announced the bill’s approval through a voice vote.
Senator Shehu, while presenting the committee’s report, emphasized the bill’s alignment with required drafting standards and its strategic focus on the region’s socio-economic development.
He stated, “The establishment of the commission will bring the federal government closer to the south-west states as well as meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.”
The SWDC’s primary function will be to manage funds allocated from the federation account, including donations and gifts.
These resources will be directed towards crucial areas such as the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure, addressing ecological and environmental challenges, and promoting overall development in the region.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin highlighted the bill’s potential impact, saying, “It’s a bill that, when passed into law, will help to really deal with the challenges being faced by the south-western part of this country – social challenges, ecological challenges, etc. And it will help to put that region in the best place to have an environment that will be conducive for those people in that region.”
He further emphasized the broader national benefits, stating, “And it will, once that region is well developed, also affect the entire nation. Because whatever is done positively to any part of Nigeria is something that is done to the entire country.”
The Deputy Senate President also commended President Bola Tinubu for his support of similar regional development initiatives, expressing hope for the bill’s swift assent: “Kudos to him. It’s something that should be commended. And I hope he will give his assent to this bill as soon as it gets to his table.”
If signed into law, the SWDC will join four existing regional development commissions in Nigeria: the North East Development Commission (NEDC), North West Development Commission (NWDC), South East Development Commission (SEDC), and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
A bill for the establishment of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) is currently under consideration in the National Assembly.
