Lagos State on Tuesday hosted the inaugural Southern Forum of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, bringing together council chairmen from across the southern region to strengthen coordination and deepen grassroots governance.
The forum, held in Lagos, drew local government leaders who emphasised the need for a unified approach to addressing challenges at the grassroots level and advancing the role of local councils within Nigeria’s federal system.
Present at the meeting included ALGON chairmen from Oyo, Sikiru Oyedele Sanda; Ekiti, Ojo Oluwasegun Samuel; Abia, Chinedu Ekeke; Imo, Ikenna Adikibe (who also doubles as Deputy National President) and other southern states.
In his remarks, Ikenna Adikibe described the gathering as both necessary and timely, noting the increasing importance of local governments in delivering effective governance.
Adikibe said the convergence of ALGON chairmen from southern states marked the beginning of stronger cooperation and collective engagement on issues affecting their regions.
“The coming together of ALGON chairmen from the southern states under one coordinated platform signals a new era of collaboration, shared vision and collective action. It provides us with the opportunity to speak with one voice on issues that affect our grassroots, our regions and the nation at large,” he added.
“This summit is both timely and necessary,” he said, adding that “The role of local government has never been more critical.”
He stressed that local government leaders remained closest to the people, adding that the success of governance across all tiers depended largely on their effectiveness.
“As leaders of the grassroots, we are the closest to the people, and the success of governance at all levels depends on how effective we are in delivering on our mandate,” he stated.
He urged participants to use the platform to build consensus and develop practical solutions that would enhance governance outcomes.
“We must use this summit to strengthen our unity, harmonise our positions and develop practical strategies that will enhance service delivery, improve governance and ensure that local governments take their rightful place in Nigeria’s federal structure,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of unity, he noted that collective action would strengthen the influence of local governments.
“Unity is our strength, when we are aligned in purpose and in direction, our voice becomes stronger, our influence more impactful, and our actions more meaningful,” he said.
“This platform must therefore go beyond discussions; it must produce actionable resolutions that will shape the future of local government administration in Nigeria.”
Also speaking, the Lagos State ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, said the formation of the southern forum was driven by the need for coordinated engagement among councils in the region.
“It has become imperative for all leaders of local government across the south to come together and forge a common position on the issues that bother our nation and also our member states,” he said.
The forum also passed a vote of confidence in the national leadership of ALGON under Chairman Bello Lawal, a move seen by participants as a step towards resolving nascent internal disagreements that had raised concerns about possible divisions within the body.
Participants expressed optimism that the forum would serve as a platform for sustained collaboration and policy alignment among local governments in southern Nigeria.
