The bill for the establishment of the southwest development commission passed through the first reading on Tuesday at the Senate. 

The bill was sponsored by Gbenga Daniel (APC-Ogun East), a former governor of Ogun state, and was co-sponsored by all Senators from the Southwest region.

This was disclosed in the Senate Order Paper for Tuesday which also included the schedule for the screening of ministerial nominees.

“South West Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 68) – First Reading Sen. Daniel, Olugbenga Justus (Ogun East),” the paper read.

Ibikunle Amosun, the former governor of Ogun State, who succeeded Mr Daniel, sponsored the bill when it was first submitted in November 2019 during the ninth Senate. 

The reintroduction of the bill in the 10th assembly, if passed into law, would enable the commission to join the Niger Delta Development Commission and the North East Development Commission.

The commission will be responsible for developing critical infrastructure in the region.

The six Southwest states in Nigeria (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo) in 2020 announced plans to establish the South West Development Commission.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state, who chaired the committee for the establishment of the region development commission, explained that it is aimed at developing the commercial and industrial potential of the South-West.