The South West Development Commission was established by the South West Development Commission (Establishment) Act, 2025, providing a legal framework for coordinated development across Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assented to the legislation in March 2025, formally establishing the Commission alongside other regional development institutions across the country.
Under the Act, SWDC is mandated to address infrastructure, environmental and other development challenges within the South West, while supporting initiatives that can advance the social and economic development of the region. The Act also provides for the Commission’s Governing Board and establishes Ibadan as its headquarters, with operational offices across the member states.
Following the establishment of the Commission, its Board and management were appointed and subsequently confirmed by the Senate in June 2025. The Federal Government formally inaugurated the Governing Board and management of SWDC on 28 August 2025 in Abuja, marking an important step towards the operationalisation of the Commission.
The South West Development Commission (Establishment) Act, 2025 therefore provides the institutional foundation for SWDC to work with governments, communities, the private sector and development partners towards sustainable and coordinated development across the South West.