Governors and traditional rulers from the south-west, south-east and south-south met in Iperu, Ogun state, on Wednesday to discuss regional security, cooperation and shared development priorities.
The meeting was hosted by Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun.
In a communique issued after the closed-door session, Abiodun said the forum reaffirmed its commitment to the unity, stability and peace of Nigeria.
He said participants reviewed the security situation across the country and condoled with President Bola Tinubu over the recent killing of military personnel in Borno, as well as the mass abductions in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger states.
Abiodun added that the southern leaders commended Tinubu for efforts to stabilise the economy, tackle inflation, strengthen security institutions and push ahead with major infrastructure projects such as the Lagos–Calabar coastal road and the Sokoto–Badagry superhighway.
He said the forum adopted a number of resolutions, including the creation of a zonal security fund, an improved intelligence-sharing system, renewed advocacy for state police, a unified resident identification scheme and stronger backing for regional and local security outfits.
Abiodun said member states were also urged to collaborate with traditional rulers to regulate land allocation and tackle illegal mining.
The governors and traditional rulers passed a vote of confidence in Tinubu and reiterated the long-standing position of the southern region—first articulated in the 2021 Asaba Accord—which supported a president from the south.
Abiodun said southern states remain united and committed to peaceful coexistence across religious and cultural lines, adding that the region will continue to work with the federal government to promote peace, prosperity and inclusive development.
