NITDA, DAWN Commission sign five-year pact to boost digital skills in Southwest
By Aboki Forex —
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has entered a five-year partnership with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission to accelerate digital skills development and strengthen local innovation hubs across South-western Nigeria.
NITDA announced the agreement on Thursday, stating that the pact runs from 2025 through 2030. It covers Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo states. The partnership includes building innovation hubs and technology development centres to support the startup ecosystem and create regulatory frameworks for the digital economy.
The collaboration aims to improve digital literacy and establish a clear roadmap for regional digital transformation. NITDA said in a statement: “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 added that the effort underscores a mutual commitment to ensuring no one is left behind in the digital age.
Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA’s director-general, stressed that regional cooperation is key to unlocking Nigeria’s vast human capital. He said building strategic digital bridges allows citizens to participate meaningfully in the modern digital economy through everyday activities.
Inuwa noted that individual Southwest states could develop 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. He said NITDA’s frameworks would not just 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.
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.