The Southern Governors’ Forum, a coalition of state leaders from the southern part of Nigeria in West Africa, is scheduled to convene in Iperu, a town in Ogun State, Nigeria, on Wednesday for a high-level meeting designed to address security, economic development, and wider regional coordination. Okay News reports.
The announcement of the forum was contained in an official statement released by Kayode Akinmade, who serves as the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun. According to him, the governors are expected to gather at 10:00 a.m. at the private residence of the Ogun State Governor in Iperu.
The meeting comes at a time when several southern states in Nigeria continue to confront shared issues such as insecurity, economic instability, and development concerns worsened by global economic pressure. By gathering in one location, the governors aim to harmonize approaches that can benefit the entire southern region.
Akinmade further explained that a joint interactive session between the Southern Governors’ Forum and the Southern Traditional Rulers Council will be held at 1:00 p.m. Traditional rulers in Nigeria are hereditary monarchs and custodians of culture who play significant advisory roles within their communities. According to the statement, the roundtable discussion aims to strengthen cooperation between political leaders and traditional institutions.
Ahead of the gathering, Governor Dapo Abiodun, who leads Ogun State located in southwestern Nigeria, shared his thoughts in a message posted on the social platform X.
He said, “As we prepare to host the Southern Governors’ Forum meeting today, we were pleased to receive some of the distinguished attendees, particularly traditional rulers and respected leaders from across the southern region.”
He added, “Their visit offered us the opportunity to deepen ongoing engagements and align our shared expectations ahead of the gathering.”
Expressing warmth toward the royal leaders, Abiodun stated, “We value the presence of our royal fathers and regional leaders, whose wisdom and guidance continue to enrich our processes.”
The governor also emphasized the collaborative intention of the meeting, noting, “As host, we remain committed to creating an atmosphere that encourages honest dialogue and fosters stronger collaboration among all stakeholders as we work together for the peace, stability, and development of our region and country by extension.”
The upcoming discussions are expected to place emphasis on regional security coordination, integrated economic strategies, and the strengthening of intergovernmental alliances within southern Nigeria—a region known for its economic significance, cultural diversity, and strategic coastal states.
