The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have signed a five-year agreement to promote digital transformation, strengthen innovation and support economic growth across South-west Nigeria.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Abuja, will run from 2025 to 2030 and cover the six South-west states of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo.
The partnership aims to make the region a leading centre for technology and innovation by improving access to digital tools, developing skills and creating new opportunities for startups, entrepreneurs and businesses.
Under the agreement, DAWN and NITDA will work together on several initiatives, including digital literacy programmes, innovation hubs, technology development centres, startup support schemes and the implementation of policies that promote Nigeria’s digital economy.
A key priority is contributing to the national goal of equipping 100 million Nigerians with digital skills by 2030 through the Digital Literacy-for-All initiative. With its large population, universities and growing technology talent, the South-west is expected to play an important role in reaching that target.
To guide the project, the DAWN Commission has developed a Digital Literacy and Startup Act Implementation Plan that will serve as the regional framework for coordinating activities and tracking progress across the six states.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi said stronger regional partnerships are essential for balanced economic development across Nigeria. He noted that while Lagos has become a major technology hub, other South-west states also have significant potential that can be unlocked through targeted investment and collaboration.
Abdullahi revealed that NITDA plans to establish digital learning centres and operational innovation hubs in every state. Rather than applying the same strategy everywhere, the agency intends to encourage each state to build technology ecosystems around its own strengths and economic needs.
He explained that although the South-west is widely recognised for its thriving fintech sector, individual states should also develop innovation clusters linked to industries where they hold competitive advantages.
The NITDA chief also welcomed the creation of regional development commissions, describing them as long-term institutions designed to drive sustainable economic progress instead of responding only to emergencies. He added that organisations such as the DAWN Commission can help bridge the gap between national policies and local implementation.
DAWN Commission Director-General Seye Oyeleye described the agreement as an important step towards preparing the region for the future digital economy. He said the commission would ensure that NITDA’s programmes and frameworks are actively implemented and monitored across the South-west rather than simply adopted on paper.
Oyeleye stressed that the success of the partnership would be measured by real outcomes, including stronger digital infrastructure, improved access to skills training and greater support for innovation-led businesses.
For entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses, the collaboration is expected to expand opportunities for digital skills development, technology adoption, innovation support and startup growth programmes. It is also intended to strengthen the region’s digital ecosystem and create new pathways for economic development.
Under the agreement, the DAWN Commission will coordinate implementation between NITDA and the six state governments, ensuring that national digital initiatives are translated into practical projects that benefit local communities and businesses. Both organisations have agreed to establish governance structures to oversee the partnership and monitor its progress.
