The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has entered into a five-year partnership with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission to accelerate digital skills development and strengthen local innovation hubs in South-western Nigeria. NITDA announced the agreement in a statement on Thursday, noting that the partnership will run from 2025 through 2030 and cover Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo states.
Key Aspects of the Partnership
The pact includes building innovation hubs and technology development centres to support the startup ecosystem and establish regulatory frameworks for the digital economy. The collaboration aims to improve digital literacy and create a cohesive roadmap for regional digital transformation.
“By combining resources, both organisations aim to accelerate digital skills development, strengthen local innovation hubs, and create a cohesive roadmap for regional digital transformation,” the agency stated. The effort underscores a mutual commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.
Statements from Officials
Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA’s director-general, emphasized that regional cooperation is essential for unlocking Nigeria’s vast human capital. He added that building strategic digital bridges allows citizens to participate meaningfully in the modern digital economy through their everyday activities. Inuwa disclosed that individual Southwest states could cultivate their own innovation clusters tied to local industries and challenges.
Seye Oyeleye, director-general of the DAWN Commission, described the agreement as a powerful launchpad for advancing the nation’s digital literacy goals. According to him, NITDA’s frameworks will not only be adopted in the Southwest but implemented and monitored. “NITDA will get value from this MoU. The credibility of regional coordination bodies like the DAWN Commission rests on what we produce, not merely on what we sign,” Oyeleye said.
Vision for the Future
By aligning national tech policies with regional execution, the partnership aims to lay the groundwork for a more inclusive, tech-driven economy that creates lasting opportunities through collaboration.
