Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries from the South-West on Thursday called for constitutional reforms to strengthen regional governance as a solution to Nigeria’s developmental and security challenges.
This was part of resolutions at the 11th Quarterly Meeting of the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, South-West Nigeria (ARHOSPS-SWN) held in Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde commended members of the association for their continued contributions to governance and nation-building.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal, Makinde noted that the association’s 268-page proposal on South-West economic development submitted in 2025 was receiving attention from governments across the region.
The governor highlighted achievements recorded under his administration’s “Roadmap for Accelerated Development in Oyo State,” including investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, transportation and infrastructure.
He listed major road projects in his administration, adding that gratuity payments had increased from N1 billion to N3 billion monthly, while a parcel of land had been allocated for a permanent secretariat for retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in Oyo State.
In her goodwill message, the Oyo State Head of Service, Dr. Adenike Fasina, described retired public servants as repositories of institutional memory and administrative expertise whose knowledge remains vital to governance.
A major highlight of the meeting was the call by the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of ARHOSPS-SWN, Chief Adebisi Adesola, for the restoration of stronger regional governance structures.
He argued that Nigeria’s former regional system promoted healthy competition, economic growth, stability and effective governance, while the current over-centralised structure has weakened the capacity of states to tackle insecurity and drive development.
Adesola linked the country’s growing security challenges, including the recent abduction of teachers and pupils in Oyo State, to flaws in the existing political structure.
He maintained that a federating regional arrangement would bring governance closer to the people, strengthen security coordination, accelerate economic development and promote national cohesion.
Similarly, the Regional President of ARHOSPS-SWN, Mr. Demola Badejo, urged governments to tap into the wealth of experience possessed by retired senior civil servants.
He noted that the association had developed a seven-point agenda focused on policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, leadership development and stronger engagement with governments and regional institutions.
In his keynote address, Chairman of the Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Chief Kamoru Aderibigbe stressed the importance of sustained engagement of seasoned public servants in nation-building.
The meeting brought together retired Heads of Service, Permanent Secretaries and government officials from Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states to deliberate on governance, public service reforms, regional development and the future of Nigeria’s federal structure.
