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To accelerate physical and socio-economic development in Lagos and Ogun states, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun have launched a Joint Development Commission
•From left: Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN); Sanwo-Olu; Abiodun and Ogun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Akingbolahan Adeniran during the signing of athe MoU.
In several places, the boundaries between Lagos and Ogun states have blurred so much that telling them apart is almost an exercise in futility. This reality has confronted residents of the boundary towns for a long time. Now, the governments of the two states have accepted this and are now going to develop the states together. Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect the Lagos-Ogun Joint Development Commission is set to make residents of the boundary areas enjoy visible development, especially in infrastructure.
The launch of the Joint Development Commission marked a new beginning in the bilateral relationship between the neighbouring states, which also share socio-cultural backgrounds. The MoU was signed at the Presidential Lodge in Ibara, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. The governors agreed to work on seven key areas of mutual interests, which are expected to boost security, commerce, urbanisation, infrastructure and also solve boundary disputes.
The ceremony was witnessed by Ogun State Deputy Governor Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, members of the State Executive Council of both states, royal fathers led by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Aremu Gbadebo, State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), among other dignitaries.
The areas which the Joint Development Commission will focus on include infrastructural development (development of boundary town roads, waterworks, mass transportation); revenue and taxation (including PAYE remittances, and boundary town revenue management and collection); trade and investment and resolution of boundary disputes.
Other areas encapsulated in the MoU are security (including intelligence sharing and gathering); environmental and physical planning activities (including urban renewal, emergency and disaster management, inland waterways management and traffic management); and agriculture/food security.
Sanwo-Olu noted that his administration’s commitment in ensuring that Lagos becomes a 21st-century economy ‘makes it imperative for us to strategically collaborate with our closest neighbour, Ogun State, for the joint development of our states, the continued growth of our cities and the co-creation of value that encompasses good governance and urban regeneration.
According to him, signing the MoU was to further the relationship which began in 2005 during the tenure of former Governors Bola Tinubu (Lagos) and Segun Osoba (Ogun). He described it as “a game-changer that will transform the urban agglomeration that Lagos has become”.
He said: “We are driven by the desire to stimulate socio-economic growth, bridge development gaps and ensure that Lagos’ megacity status is complemented by pervasive infrastructural development even in boundary towns. This MoU precedes the Joint Development Commission that will be established to mutually tackle some of the issues prevalent in key economic sectors like transportation, environment, housing, health, infrastructure, and security.
“Regardless of the challenges, we are determined to build more livable and stable cities. Our goal is to build sustainable urban cities, where residents of both states have a sense of belonging, embrace participatory governance, and recognise their role in achieving solid urban economies in both states.
“In light of current global practices in managing megacities, it has become obvious that the best way to accelerate socio-economic development in Lagos and Ogun states is by embracing a more collaborative approach for growth, development, and urban sustainability.
“The Joint MoU is a sustainable development agenda under which Lagos and Ogun states will combine resources to meet our present socio-economic needs and prepare for the future. We have nothing to lose but a lot to gain by synergising efforts with Ogun State. I assure you that the stipulations of the Joint MoU will be meticulously implemented. The next step is to establish a joint committee that will implement the terms of the MoU until we are able to formally establish a Joint Development Commission with the approval of the Lagos and Ogun state Houses of Assembly.
“This is not political, but about our people. I, therefore, call for greater collaboration among the 36 states of the country. The common goal is to provide good governance and make life more meaningful for the electorate, and that should be our driving force. We must never forget that, as Nigerians, we are all interconnected, and the fastest way to accelerate socio-economic growth and create an equitable society is by uniting to combat our challenges.”
Sanwo-Olu said the next step after signing the MoU would be the establishment of a joint committee that would implement the terms of the agreement. He added that bills would also be sent to the Houses of Assembly of both states to generate statutory support for the establishment of the economic integration commission.
Abiodun described the commission as ‘a deliberate and methodical effort of two forward-thinking governors.
According to him, the bilateral agreement would have legal backing so the initiative can outlive the present and serve the people well into the future.
Abiodun was hopeful that with the agreement, it would be easier for them to rebuild the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta and Ikorodu-Sagamu Roads since the letter asking President Muhammadu Buhari to allow them to work on the roads would now have a stronger backing.
He said: “It is undeniable that we share historical and cultural affinities and, before now, successive administrations have mouthed and attempted to have some omnibus or spatial arrangement to have Lagos and Ogun states work together. But, again, never had there been a time that this was concretised or encoded, nor was it a legally-backed structure.
“What we are signing today is a historic Memorandum of Understanding that takes cognisance of what had been envisioned, leading to the establishment of the Prof. Akin Mabogunje-committee on Redeployment of Lagos Megacity Region Plan in 2005/2006. It is a mission accomplished, and a dream come true, to put into action the thought about our states forging a common alliance to jointly tackle issues bordering on security, sanitation, traffic and transportation, waste management, water supply, land use planning, infrastructure development and maintenance, urban renewal and slum upgrading for the mutual benefit of our people and the generality of Nigerians.
“These development imperatives have to be streamlined for us to be serious and focused. This Joint Development Commission will function better to sustain these common goals, and there is no better time than now to deepen not only the relationship between our states but within any contiguous sin the country.
“This MoU is a culmination of various efforts by state and non-state actors who have seen beyond the geographical delineation of our states. We are cognizant of the fact that Ogun is the only neighbour that Lagos has, and that we are a natural overflow of Lagos. There is no way development in Lagos would not have a spiral effect or vice versa. This MoU is therefore a manifestation of the common dream that the country’s largest economy and its industrial capital are forging because both are deliberate, focused and methodical to governance.
“Before now, we had jointly written to President Muhammadu Buhari to release the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta and Ikorodu-Sagamu Roads for us to rebuild. We believe this agreement would give that letter a stronger backing which might eventually lead to the reconstruction of these roads. Another manifestation of our working together is the Adiyan Water Works which is in Ogun State but supplies water to the people of Lagos State. It will also supply water to us soon.”
Abiodun thereafter presented Sanwo-Olu with a map of both states in plaque form, and adire, the traditional fabric of Ogun State.
President Bola Tinubu has accepted the resignation of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and approved the appointment of Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect.
Our correspondent had earlier reported that Egbetokun tendered his resignation letter on Tuesday, citing pressing family considerations.
Appointed in June 2023, Egbetokun was serving a four-year term scheduled to conclude in June 2027, in line with the amended provisions of the Police Act.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President received the letter earlier on Tuesday and expressed appreciation for his service to the nation.
He also commended Egbetokun’s “decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation,” acknowledging his “dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to strengthening internal security architecture during his tenure.”
“In view of the current security challenges confronting the nation, and acting in accordance with extant laws and legal guidance, President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to serve as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect.
“The President is confident that AIG Disu’s experience, operational depth, and demonstrated leadership capacity will provide steady and focused direction for the Nigeria Police Force during this critical period,” the statement read.
It added that in compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, the President will soon convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to formally consider Disu’s appointment as substantive Inspector-General of Police, after which his name will be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing national security, strengthening institutional capacity, and ensuring that the Nigeria Police Force remains professional, accountable, and fully equipped to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
President Bola Tinubu has signed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) into law, days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The signing ceremony took place at the State House, Abuja, at about 5:00pm on Wednesday, with principal officers of the National Assembly in attendance.
The National Assembly had on Tuesday passed the Electoral Act 2026 (Amendment) Bill.
The latest amendment comes amid intense public debate over the electronic transmission of election results in real time.
Last week, protests erupted at the National Assembly complex as civil society organisations and opposition figures mounted pressure on lawmakers to mandate live transmission of results from polling units directly to INEC’s central server.
The protesters argued that real-time transmission would reduce result manipulation and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
However, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and some stakeholders have raised concerns about the technical feasibility of live transmission, particularly in communities with weak telecommunications infrastructure. They have argued for a phased or hybrid approach that would allow manual collation where electronic systems fail.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday spent the second night in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, as his lawyer, A.U Mustapha (SAN), pushes for his release on bail.
There are, however, indications that the commission may seek a remand order to extend his stay in custody to enable him to respond to questions posed by investigators handling his matter.
The former governor arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday around 10 a.m. for questioning in connection with an alleged N432bn corruption probe. He was, however, detained at the commission, where investigators continued to grill him.
An official of the commission who pleaded anonymity said the anti-graft agency was considering obtaining a remand order after the expiration of the hours allowed by law to enable investigators conclude questioning him.
“Forget the speculations being peddled on social media that he has been released. He has not. El-Rufai is still with us and will be spending another night in custody.
“He is very much with us and will remain so because the investigators are considering getting a remand order after the expiration of the 48 hours allowed by law.
“The investigators need some time with him to answer questions arising from his eight years as governor in Kaduna State,” the source said.
Speaking in a telephone conversation with The PUNCH on Tuesday, El-Rufai’s counsel, Mustapha, confirmed that the former governor remained with the anti-graft agency, while insisting that his client had fully cooperated with investigators.
He described his client as a responsible citizen who is not a flight risk if granted bail.
Mustapha said, “Well, as a responsible citizen, he was invited and, true to his word, he honoured the invitation.
“As we speak, he is still with the EFCC. He is cooperating to the best of his capacity, and we hope that the EFCC, given its integrity, will be kind enough to admit him to bail because he is presumed innocent, and I am sure if he is granted bail, he will not jump bail.
“He is a responsible citizen, and everybody knows him. He came to Nigeria on his own volition. He wrote a letter that he was going to honour the EFCC invitation, and he kept his word as a man of integrity. We’re hopeful that very soon he will be granted bail.”
When asked about the specific allegations against his client, Mustapha declined to offer details.
“You’re asking the right question from the wrong person. That question can only be answered by the EFCC and not by me. I would just be speculating, and lawyers don’t do that.”
Pressed further on whether he witnessed parts of the interrogation and what it was about, Mustapha responded, “That would be prejudicial. It’s a confidential matter and not meant for public consumption.”
The EFCC’s interrogation is linked to the report of an ad hoc committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly set up in 2024 to probe finances, loans, and contracts awarded between 2015 and 2023 during El-Rufai’s administration.
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The committee, chaired by Henry Zacharia, had alleged that several loans obtained during the period were not utilised for their intended purposes.
While presenting the report, the Speaker, Yusuf Dahiru Leman, claimed that about N423bn was allegedly siphoned under the former governor’s administration.
The committee recommended the investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai and some former cabinet members over alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds, money laundering, contract awards without due process, and reckless borrowing.
The Assembly subsequently forwarded petitions to the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
El-Rufai has denied the allegations, describing the probe as politically motivated, and insisted that loans obtained during his tenure were properly appropriated and used for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security.
On Monday, an EFCC source said the commission had been investigating the matter for about a year, noting that suspects are usually invited after investigations have reached an advanced stage.
“The commission has been investigating him for about a year now. As a commission, we don’t just rush to invite suspects. Persons accused are always the last; that is, after we might have done our investigation to an advanced stage.
“We are investigating him on the allegations against him by the Kaduna State Assembly,” the source said.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Department of State Services has filed criminal charges against El-Rufai before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged unlawful interception of the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The three-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, was filed under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
According to the charge sheet, El-Rufai allegedly admitted during a February 13, 2026, appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time Programme that he and unnamed associates unlawfully intercepted Ribadu’s communications.
Count One alleged that El-Rufai “did admit during the interview that you and your cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu,” an offence said to be punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act.
Count Two accused him of acknowledging knowledge of an individual involved in the alleged interception without reporting it to security agencies, while Count Three alleged that he and others still at large used technical equipment that compromised public safety and national security.
The prosecution further claimed that the alleged act, reportedly admitted during the television interview, caused “reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians.”
He is yet to be arraigned.
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