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From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries from the South-West have called for constitutional reforms to strengthen regional governance, describing it as a lasting solution to Nigeria’s security and developmental challenges.
The position formed part of the resolutions reached at the 11th Quarterly Meeting of the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, South-West Nigeria (ARHOSPS-SWN), held on Thursday in Ibadan.
The Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the association, Adebisi Adesola, said Nigeria’s former regional system encouraged healthy competition, economic growth and effective governance, while the current over-centralised structure has weakened states’ capacity to address insecurity and development.
He linked rising insecurity, including the recent abduction of teachers and pupils in Oyo State, to flaws in the country’s political structure, adding that stronger regional governments would improve security coordination, accelerate economic development and bring governance closer to the people.
Also speaking, the Regional President of ARHOSPS-SWN, Demola Badejo, urged governments to tap into the experience of retired senior civil servants, noting that the association had developed a seven-point agenda focused on policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, leadership development and collaboration with governments.
Speaking at the event, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, represented by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, praised the association for its continued contributions to governance.
Makinde said the association’s 268-page proposal on South-West economic development submitted in 2025 was receiving attention from governments across the region.
The governor also highlighted achievements under his administration’s Roadmap for Accelerated Development, citing investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, transportation and infrastructure. He said monthly gratuity payments had increased from N1 billion to N3 billion and disclosed that land had been allocated for a permanent secretariat for retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in Oyo State.
In her goodwill message, the Oyo State Head of Service, Adenike Fasina, described retired public servants as custodians of institutional knowledge whose expertise remains valuable to governance.
The Chairman of the Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Kamoru Aderibigbe, also stressed the importance of engaging experienced public servants in nation-building.
The meeting brought together retired Heads of Service, Permanent Secretaries and government officials from Oyo State, Lagos State, Ogun State, Ondo State, Osun State and Ekiti State to discuss governance, public service reforms and the future of Nigeria’s federal structure.
