Over-Centralization Fueling Insecurity: South-West Retired Perm Secs, HoSs Call for Regional Government

Nigeria’s highly centralized system is the root cause of its worsening insecurity and governance woes, retired top bureaucrats from the South-West civil service have warned.

The retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries made the declaration while reiterating their calls for a structural return to regional government.

The elder statesmen issued this warning in a communiqué following their 11th Quarterly Meeting held in Ibadan, a copy of which was emailed to Persecondnews on Saturday.

The gathering hosted delegates from all six states in the geopolitical zone and was declared open by Oyo State Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, representing Governor Seyi Makinde.

The retired top civil servants urged governors in the region to spearhead nationwide advocacy for constitutional amendments that would restore regional governance, describing the current federal arrangement asadequately addressing Nigeria’s security and developmental needs.

According to the communiqué jointly signed by the Regional President, Barr. Demola Badejo, a one-time chairman of Ogun state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Secretary, Pastor (Mrs.) A. Olufadewa, Nigeria should urgently adopt a six-region system of government to better reflect the country’s diversity and promote effective administration.

The association argued that the country’s persistent security crisis “may be suggesting clear ties to our flawed political system,” insisting that restructuring remained critical to achieving lasting peace and sustainable development.

The body also condemned the growing wave of kidnappings targeting schoolchildren and teachers, particularly in Oyo State and other parts of the country, describing the attacks as “a vicious assault” on education.

It expressed sympathy with affected families, stressing that the nation’s educational heritage and future “are not negotiable.”

Beyond constitutional reforms, the retired bureaucrats called for greater regional integration through improved inter-state transportation, urging governments in the South-West to develop road, rail and air connectivity to stimulate economic growth and ease movement within the region.

The association also advocated closer collaboration with regional institutions, including the Development Agenda foOver-Centralization Fueling Insecurity: South-West Retired Perm Secs, HoSs Call for Regional Government

Nigeria’s highly centralized system is the root cause of its worsening insecurity and governance woes, retired top bureaucrats from the South-West civil service have warned.

The retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries made the declaration while reiterating their calls for a structural return to regional government.

The elder statesmen issued this warning in a communiqué following their 11th Quarterly Meeting held in Ibadan, a copy of which was emailed to Persecondnews on Saturday.

The gathering hosted delegates from all six states in the geopolitical zone and was declared open by Oyo State Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, representing Governor Seyi Makinde.

The retired top civil servants urged governors in the region to spearhead nationwide advocacy for constitutional amendments that would restore regional governance, describing the current federal arrangement asadequately addressing Nigeria’s security and developmental needs.

According to the communiqué jointly signed by the Regional President, Barr. Demola Badejo, a one-time chairman of Ogun state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Secretary, Pastor (Mrs.) A. Olufadewa, Nigeria should urgently adopt a six-region system of government to better reflect the country’s diversity and promote effective administration.

The association argued that the country’s persistent security crisis “may be suggesting clear ties to our flawed political system,” insisting that restructuring remained critical to achieving lasting peace and sustainable development.

The body also condemned the growing wave of kidnappings targeting schoolchildren and teachers, particularly in Oyo State and other parts of the country, describing the attacks as “a vicious assault” on education.

It expressed sympathy with affected families, stressing that the nation’s educational heritage and future “are not negotiable.”

Beyond constitutional reforms, the retired bureaucrats called for greater regional integration through improved inter-state transportation, urging governments in the South-West to develop road, rail and air connectivity to stimulate economic growth and ease movement within the region.

The association also advocated closer collaboration with regional institutions, including the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria and the South West Development Commission, to formulate and implement development policies for the region.

The group lamented that successive state governments had failed to maximise the expertise of retired senior civil servants despite their vast administrative experience.

To ensure institutional continuity and sharper governance, the body pressed South-West governments to leverage its members’ expertise as a policy think tank for active public service reforms.

Reaffirming its commitment to regional integration and public service excellence, the association promised to keep providing critical policy guidance to governments at both regional and national levels.

Western Nigeria and the South West Development Commission, to formulate and implement development policies for the region.

The group lamented that successive state governments had failed to maximise the expertise of retired senior civil servants despite their vast administrative experience.

To ensure institutional continuity and sharper governance, the body pressed South-West governments to leverage its members’ expertise as a policy think tank for active public service reforms.

Reaffirming its commitment to regional integration and public service excellence, the association promised to keep providing critical policy guidance to governments at both regional and national levels.