…commend Makinde’s devt agenda
Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries from the South-West geopolitical zone have called for constitutional reforms that would strengthen regional governance, describing it as a practical solution to Nigeria’s developmental and security 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 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Addressing participants at the meeting, Governor Seyi Makinde commended members of the association for their continued contributions to governance and nation-building.
Represented by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, the governor noted that the association’s 268-page proposal on South-West economic development submitted in 2025 had received positive attention across the region.
“The proposal submitted by this association is a demonstration of your commitment to the progress of the South-West and Nigeria as a whole. Governments across the region are already studying its recommendations because of their relevance to our developmental aspirations,” Makinde said.
The governor highlighted achievements recorded under his administration’s Roadmap for Accelerated Development, particularly in education, healthcare, agriculture, transportation and infrastructure.
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He stated: “We have continued to invest strategically in critical sectors. Our road infrastructure projects are opening up economic opportunities, while our commitment to workers and retirees remains unwavering. Monthly gratuity payments have increased from N1 billion to N3 billion, and we have also allocated land 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, Dr Adenike Fasina, described retired public servants as invaluable assets whose wealth of experience remains relevant to governance.
“Our retired officers are custodians of institutional memory. Their experience, wisdom and administrative expertise remain critical resources for effective governance and public sector development,” she said.
A major highlight of the meeting was the call for stronger regional governance structures by the chairman of the Oyo State chapter of ARHOSPS-SWN, Chief Adebisi Adesola.
Adesola argued that Nigeria’s former regional system promoted healthy competition, economic growth and efficient governance.
“The regional arrangement we operated in the past encouraged development, fostered healthy competition and enhanced accountability. Unfortunately, the current over-centralised structure has weakened the ability of states to effectively tackle insecurity and accelerate development,” he said.
Referencing growing security concerns, including the recent abduction of teachers and pupils in Oyo State, Adesola maintained that structural reforms had become imperative.
“A return to a stronger federating regional structure will bring governance closer to the people, improve security coordination, stimulate economic growth and strengthen national unity,” he added.
Also speaking, the regional president of ARHOSPS-SWN, Demola Badejo, urged governments to draw more from the expertise of retired senior civil servants.
“We have a reservoir of knowledge and experience that should not be allowed to waste away after retirement. Governments can benefit immensely from engaging retired public servants in policy formulation, advisory roles and institutional reforms,” Badejo said.
He disclosed that the association had developed a seven-point agenda centred on policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, leadership development and stronger collaboration with governments and regional institutions.
Delivering the keynote address, Chairman of the Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Chief Kamoru Aderibigbe, stressed the importance of sustained engagement with experienced public servants.
“Nations make progress when they can harness the wisdom and experience of those who have served with distinction. Retired public servants remain important stakeholders in governance and nation-building,” Aderibigbe said.
The meeting attracted retired Heads of Service, permanent secretaries, and government officials from Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti states, who deliberated on governance, public service reforms, regio
nal development, and the future of Nigeria’s federal structure.
