Afenifere, DAWN Commission announces landmark Southwest Stakeholders’ dialogue in Akure
Arts/culture
Akure, Ondo – The pan-Yoruba sociocultural organization Afenifere, in collaboration with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, has unveiled plans for a transformative two-day regional stakeholders’ dialogue scheduled for October 9–10, 2025, at the International Conference Centre (The Dome) in Akure, Ondo State.
The summit, themed "Strengthening Democracy Through Dialogue: Assessing Progress, Charting the Future," aims to bring together over 800 regional stakeholders to engage directly with federal and state authorities on critical policy initiatives.
Hosted by Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, with co-hosting by all Southwest governors, the event promises to foster a structured dialogue mechanism between citizens and government. Dr. Akin Onigbinde, SAN, chairman of the steering committee, emphasized the summit’s goal of ensuring that regional voices inform national policy decisions.
“This summit marks a new chapter in democratic engagement for the Southwest region,” stated Dr. Onigbinde, a former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly. “We are creating an institutional framework that will ensure the voices of over 40 million Southwest residents are heard and considered in governance decisions.”
The DAWN Commission’s Director General, Dr. Seye Oyeleye, highlighted the summit’s unique feature: its requirement for evidence-based presentations.
“We demand accountability through evidence,” he said, noting that the event will offer Southwest citizens a rare opportunity to gain first-hand information about government policies.
The programme, coordinated by Professor Anthony Kila, will feature all-embracing participation from key stakeholders, including Southwest governors (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti), federal ministers, and appointees.
Traditional rulers, religious leaders, Christian and Islamic leaders, academic institutions, private sector representatives, professional associations, cooperatives, society leaders, farmers and market leaders, civil society organizations, and grassroots representatives are also expected to attend.
Six thematic sessions will address pressing issues: Fiscal Reforms and National Planning, Economic Development and Job Creation, Social Services and Social Development, Infrastructure and Transportation, Human Capital Development, and Security and Governance.
Southwest citizens are encouraged to prepare questions to engage directly with policymakers during these sessions.
Afenifere, a foremost Yoruba sociocultural organization advocating for regional interests and democratic governance, is co-hosting the summit. The DAWN Commission, established by the six Southwest states as a technocratic institution, provides technical support to manage regional integration and development agendas.
As anticipation builds, the summit is poised to set a new benchmark for citizen-government collaboration in Nigeria’s Southwest.
