Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has raised alarm over the deepening infrastructure crisis across the South West, accusing governors of prioritising personal comfort over the welfare of citizens.
Speaking at the 2025 National Conference of Egbe Amofin O’dua held in Abeokuta, Falana said many South West governors have abandoned the ideals of visionary leadership once laid down by Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“Our governors have turned governance into a tool for self-interest,” he said. “The governor of Oyo State wants to spend N63 billion to renovate the government house, even though he still works from his private residence. That money could build roads and bring electricity to underserved communities.”
Falana also criticised Lagos lawmakers for spending public funds on luxury, while basic infrastructure remains neglected.
“In Lagos, after spending N45 billion on SUVs in four years, the House of Assembly is planning to splash another N20 billion on vehicles,” he said. “Meanwhile, the people in places like Ikorodu are struggling. That area has been flooded for three days straight. Abroad, they would be airlifting supplies. Here, no one is doing anything.”
He pointed to a larger breakdown in governance across sectors like education, saying: “There are 18.3 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, and the South West contributes to that number. No state in the region is up to date with accessing the UBEC fund. Education is collapsing.”
He also slammed the fanfare that often surrounds projects that never get completed. “You’ll see them throwing ceremonies to flag off roads they have no plans of finishing. There needs to be a complete rethink of leadership.”
Also at the event, leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress, Chief Gani Adams, called for restructuring and true federalism as the only way to address Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and economic instability.
“Each region has the capacity to solve its own problems if allowed the space to do so,” Adams said. “True federalism will bring healthy competition and drive meaningful development.”
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN), also addressed the gathering, urging lawyers to uphold justice and the rule of law without compromise.
President of Egbe Amofin O’dua, Mr Isiaka Olagunju (SAN), warned against revisionist narratives that downplay Yoruba heritage, particularly claims that Lagos is “no man’s land.”
The conference, with the theme Regional Justice, Security and Sustainable Development, drew prominent figures from the legal community, including Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN), Mrs Titilayo Akinlawon (SAN), Chief Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN), and Mr Kayode Akinremi, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abeokuta branch.
