States in the South West region of Nigeria have agreed to a plan to launch region-wide electricity and rail projects, continuing the positive trend of states’ collaboration and integration for development.
The plan follows the success of the regional security outfit code-named Amotekun and is legally powered by recent laws assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, notably the Electricity and Railway Acts 2023 which decentralized operation of power and rail among others.
The decision was reached at the end of a two-day conference organized by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) in Akure, Ondo State, to explore opportunities for regional collaboration and a collective problem-solving approach to problems of mutual concern.
The SW states Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, and Lagos were represented at the conference and at the end of it, they agreed to develop financing options and a uniform legal framework for rail and electricity projects as a region to attract investments, expand access, and expedite the development of the region.