The 17 Governors of Nigeria’s Southern Region, who are members of the Southern Governors’ Forum, have requested that each State be permitted to negotiate a new minimum wage with Labour Unions. This was said in a statement issued following their meeting in Ogun State’s capital, Abeokuta.

“The Forum discussed the minimum wage issues demanded by labour and unanimously agreed that the minimum wage should reflect the cost of living and ability to pay bills. Each State should be allowed to negotiate their minimum wage,” a portion of the document stated. In the 16-point statement, the Forum advocated for fiscal federalism and devolution of powers, as well as concerns about present processes in which mineral licenses are awarded and explorations are carried out without the involvement of State Governments.

It stated that giving mining licenses without including the States has resulted in criminal activity, negative environmental effects, ecological deterioration, and no rehabilitation commitments or money for the States and the Federal Government.

The Governors maintained that, as the country’s economic and industrial region, there was a need to address the region’s inadequate power supply by taking advantage of the recent constitutional amendment. This amendment now allows States to regulate, generate, transmit, and distribute electricity while considering alternative sources such as renewable energy.

The Southern Governors have resolved to aggressively embark on an energy transition plan from fossil fuels (petrol and diesel) to cleaner energy, specifically CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and, eventually, EVs (Electric Vehicles), to help reduce the cost of transportation, which would lower the cost of food, goods, and services for citizens and residents.

The meeting also called on the Federal Government to rehabilitate, repair, and reconstruct Trunk A roads and transfer some roads to States that have expressed interest in taking them over. It applauded President Tinubu for conceptualizing and starting construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, which cuts across eight States of the region.

The Statement hinted that the Governors had decided to commission a regional multimodal transportation master plan that would prioritize connectivity of rail, road, air, and water transportation to facilitate interstate and intra-regional movement of people, goods, and services, thereby improving the ease of doing business.

It went on to say that the Southern States Development Agenda (SSDA) would comprise a team whose primary responsibility would be to create a comprehensive plan to promote trade and investment, sustainable growth and development, economic prosperity, social harmony, and food security in the region. Regarding the Development Agenda, the Governors stated they would collaborate with individual State investment promotion and Facilitation Agencies, the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), and other appropriate MDAs and Multilateral Agencies as needed.

On the issue of State Police, the Governors determined to continue advocating for the establishment of State Police in light of the success of regional community-based security organizations, which have proven effective in information gathering.

The communique further stated that the Governors resolved to remain united and committed to the oneness of purpose, noting that the physical boundaries that divide the people of the South could not be compared to the strong bonds of enterprise, resilience, and culture that they share, just as they have resolved to be intentional about intra-region trade, partnerships, and investment facilitation and promotion, which was agreed would require a structured and coordinated approach.

Members of the Forum praised Mr. President Tinubu for his food-palliative support to States and his commendable economic recovery reforms and policies implemented through the Renewed Hope Agenda and pledged to support him in his unwavering determination to reposition the country and build a better future for all.

It should be noted that at the conclusion of the meeting, Prince Dapo Abiodun was chosen to provide the necessary leadership as Chairman of the Forum, while Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, was nominated Vice Chairman. The statement concluded that the Forum’s quarterly sessions would be held and cycled among member States.

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