Falana Decries Decline of Southwest Regional Developmental Ideals

Human rights advocate and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has launched a scathing critique of political leadership in the Southwest, accusing state governors of betraying the region’s legacy of visionary governance.

Speaking at the 2025 National Conference of Egbe Amofin O’dua in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Falana blamed the region’s socio-economic decline on systemic corruption, reckless public spending, and neglect of critical sectors such as education, infrastructure, and emergency response.

He said, “We are always quick to shout about the misappropriation and reckless spending of public funds in Abuja but in Lagos, after spending N45bn to procure SUVs in the first four years, the state House of Assembly is planning to spend another N20bn on the purchase of utility vehicles, yet the people are wallowing in poverty.”

Falana criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for earmarking N63bn for the rehabilitation of the Government House, despite working from a private residence.

“The governor of Oyo State, who comes to work from his private residence, now wants to rehabilitate the government house with N63bn, an amount that can provide good roads and electricity across the state,” he said.

He further decried the region’s response to natural disasters, referencing recent flooding in Ikorodu and the government’s lack of intervention.

“While people in Ikorodu have been submerged for days, no real emergency response has been provided. Abroad, they would deploy helicopters for food drops. But here, nothing,” he lamented.

The senior advocate also took aim at the deteriorating state of education in the region.

He revealed that none of the Southwest states is up-to-date in accessing the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds — despite 18.3 million Nigerian children being out of school.

“Education is in bad shape; there is no Southwest today that is up-to-date in accessing the UBEC fund. There are 18.3 million out-of-school children, including children from the Southwest,” he said.

Falana lamented the increasing reliance on “miracle centres” for examinations and the growing influence of street gangs who extort property owners.

“Our children now run to the miracle centres; the children are not going to schools again. Only children of the privileged few are going to school because of poverty, yet the commonwealth of our region is being privatised right before our very eyes,” he said. “Area boys have taken over the Southwest — from Lagos to Abeokuta, even in the rural areas. You buy land, and you pay them to lay the foundation and to roof your building.”

He called on legal professionals to take active steps toward transparency and accountability, revealing that lawmakers inserted 11,000 constituency projects worth N6.9 trillion into the 2025 federal budget.

“For the 2025 budget, Senators and members of the House of Representatives inserted 11,000 constituency projects valued at N6.9trn,” he said. “As lawyers, you must do more than sit and watch. Ask these lawmakers where the projects are cited and, if they are not giving any satisfactory answers, take them to court.”

Also speaking, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN), urged stakeholders to engage the people more effectively and place youth empowerment at the heart of development plans.

“The governments of the region must engage their people regularly and respond to their needs rather than initiating projects that are of no immediate relevance,” he said.

The conference, themed “Regional Justice, Security and Sustainable Development,” featured a host of legal professionals including Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN), Mrs. Titilayo Akinlawon (SAN), Chief Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN), and Mr. Kayode Akinremi, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abeokuta branch.

Egbe Amofin O’dua President, Mr. Isiaka Olagunju (SAN), called on Yoruba lawyers to uphold and defend the region’s identity, while OPC leader Chief Gani Adams renewed calls for restructuring and true federalism.

Chairman of the conference committee, Mr. Olusegun Fabunmi (SAN), announced plans to set up a follow-up team to push for implementation of key resolutions, especially those related to regional security and economic integration.

PUNCH