DAWN Commission and NITDA Sign Five-Year Pact to Drive Southwest Digital Transformation
Through this arrangement, the region will have a direct channel to federal digital policies while also gaining a framework for adapting and implementing those initiatives at the state level.
The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating digital transformation across Southwest Nigeria and strengthening the region’s participation in the country’s digital economy agenda.
The agreement, signed in Abuja, will run from 2025 to 2030 and covers the six Southwest states of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo. Under the partnership, the region will gain structured access to NITDA’s full range of programmes and initiatives, including digital literacy projects, innovation hubs, technology development centres, startup ecosystem support, and regulatory frameworks designed to advance Nigeria’s digital economy.
A key focus of the collaboration is supporting Nigeria’s target of equipping 100 million citizens with digital skills by 2030 through the Digital Literacy for All initiative. The Southwest region, known for its strong educational institutions, dense population, and skilled workforce, is expected to play a significant role in achieving this national objective. To facilitate implementation, the DAWN Commission has developed a Digital Literacy and Startup Act Implementation Plan that will coordinate activities and track progress across the six states.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in driving balanced digital development across the country. He noted that while Lagos has emerged as a major technology hub, other states in the region must also be empowered to develop thriving digital economies. According to him, NITDA plans to establish digital learning centres and functional innovation hubs in every state while encouraging each region to build innovation ecosystems aligned with its unique economic strengths.
Abdullahi also highlighted the Federal Government’s creation of regional development commissions as a proactive approach to addressing development disparities. He described the model as one that combines federal support with regional implementation, allowing local priorities to shape development outcomes while aligning with national objectives.
On his part, DAWN Commission Director-General, Seye Oyeleye, described the partnership as a strategic move to prepare the Southwest for the future digital economy. He pledged that the Commission would ensure NITDA’s policies, frameworks, and infrastructure are effectively implemented and monitored across the region, stressing that the success of the agreement would ultimately be measured by tangible outcomes rather than signed commitments.
The partnership positions the DAWN Commission as a coordinating bridge between NITDA’s national programmes and the six Southwest state governments. Through this arrangement, the region will have a direct channel to federal digital policies while also gaining a framework for adapting and implementing those initiatives at the state level. Both organizations said they will establish governance structures to oversee implementation and ensure the objectives of the agreement are achieved.
