Southwest Development Commission Launches Action Committee for Rural Transformation

SWDC MD/CEO Dr. Charles ‘Diji Akinola (3rd right), FTID Programme Director Prof. Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka (4th left), DG, DAWN Commission Dr. Seye Oyeleye ((3rd left), DG Southwest Governors’ Forum Ms Naomi Olabode (2nd left), Alh. SWDC executive directors Lateef Ajijola (left), Rt. Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuoso (2nd right) and Alh. Fatai Ibikunle (right) at the TransComs launch and co-creation roundtable at the IITA, Ibadan

The South-West Development Commission (SWDC) has officially established an Action Committee to expedite the implementation of its rural transformation initiative, TransComs.

This committee is tasked with moving the program from its conceptual stage to tangible delivery, aiming to execute pilot projects and prepare for regional expansion within 180 days.

Co-led by Dr. Akinola and Prof. Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, the committee will function as the SWDC's primary delivery mechanism.

It brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including development finance institutions like the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Bank of Industry (BoI), regional policy bodies, private sector leaders in agribusiness and logistics, and development partners such as Sasakawa Africa Association and UNICEF.

The committee's initial focus includes coordinating partnerships, mobilizing resources, and launching pilot projects in Fapote, Ogbomoso, and Ara, Osun.

Its broader objective is to develop governance and sustainability frameworks for replicating the TransComs model across all 137 local government areas in the Southwest.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, South-West Development Commission (SWDC) Dr. Charles ‘Diji Akinola (left) and FTID Programme Director Prof. Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka at the launch of TransComs and co-creation roundtable held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan

Dr. Akinola emphasized that the committee is designed to ensure measurable impact, stating, "TransComs is not another report on the shelf; this committee is our delivery engine."

TransComs aims to transform rural communities into integrated economic hubs, leveraging agriculture to drive comprehensive development and improve livelihoods.