The South-South Governors’ Forum has resolved to strengthen regional economic integration through improved infrastructure, investment mobilisation, maritime development and industrialisation.
The decision was reached on Monday at the second meeting of the forum, held in Calabar, Cross River State, under the chairmanship of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, was represented at the meeting by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme.
Also in attendance were the host governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State; Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State; Edo State Deputy Governor, Denis Idahosa; and Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu.
The governors identified regional rail development, the rehabilitation and modernisation of the Calabar, Port Harcourt and Warri seaports, as well as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, as key priorities for unlocking the economic potential of the region.
They also agreed to engage the Federal Government on critical South-South concerns, particularly infrastructure development, environmental restoration and economic integration.
The forum called for stronger cooperation among the six South-South states and greater coordination in security operations, intelligence sharing and the protection of communities, economic corridors and critical oil and gas assets.
Speaking at the meeting, Governor Diri urged the governors to move beyond issuing communiqués and ensure that decisions taken by the forum translate into measurable development.
He stressed the importance of improving road, rail, air and maritime connectivity, while positioning the South-South as a major gas-industrial hub, maritime gateway and blue-economy zone.
The governors also endorsed a proposal for a regional investment strategy and heard a presentation from the Director-General of the BRACED Commission, Ambassador Joe Keshi, on regional infrastructure development, particularly rail connectivity.
PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, advocated the establishment of a regional investment fund to finance projects that cut across state boundaries. He also urged the governors to place young people at the centre of the region’s economic transformation.
In addition, the governors reaffirmed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, pledging what the forum described as “100 per cent” support from the South-South region.
The forum resolved to institutionalised its meetings on a quarterly basis, with Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, scheduled to host the next meeting from November 6 to 8, 2026.
The meeting further underscored the commitment of the South-South states to work collectively on regional development, with Delta State reaffirming its support for stronger unity and collaboration across the region.
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