The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed a five-year partnership with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission to push digital skills and innovation hubs across the Southwest.
The deal, announced Thursday, covers all six states in the region — Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo — and runs from 2025 through 2030.
Under the pact, NITDA and DAWN will build innovation hubs and technology development centres to support startups. They'll also work on regulatory frameworks for the digital economy.
The goal is to improve digital literacy and create a shared roadmap for digital transformation across the Southwest.
“By combining resources, both organisations aim to accelerate digital skills development, strengthen local innovation hubs, and create a cohesive roadmap for regional digital transformation,” NITDA said in a statement.
The agency added that the effort shows a shared commitment to making sure no one gets left behind in the digital age.
Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA's director-general, said regional cooperation is key to unlocking Nigeria's human capital. He noted that building strategic digital bridges lets citizens take part in the modern digital economy through their everyday activities.
Inuwa also said individual Southwest states could develop their own innovation clusters tied to local industries and challenges.
Seye Oyeleye, director-general of the DAWN Commission, called the agreement a powerful launchpad for the country's digital literacy goals. He said NITDA's frameworks won't just be adopted in the Southwest — they'll be 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.
The partnership aims to align national tech policies with regional execution, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive, tech-driven economy.
NITDA is the federal agency responsible for developing and regulating information technology in Nigeria. It was established in 2001 and is under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. Inuwa has been its director-general since 2019.
The DAWN Commission is a regional development body set up by the six Southwest states to coordinate economic and social development. It was launched in 2012. Oyeleye, a development expert, has led the commission since 2023.
The Southwest already has the highest internet penetration and the most tech startups in Nigeria. Lagos alone hosts over 90% of the country's tech hubs. But digital literacy rates still vary widely between urban and rural areas.
By targeting all six states, the partnership hopes to spread opportunities beyond Lagos. Local innovation clusters tied to each state's strengths — agriculture in Ondo, manufacturing in Ogun, tourism in Ekiti — could create jobs and keep talent in the region.
NITDA and DAWN will now set up a joint implementation committee to turn the MoU into concrete projects. The first hubs are expected to break ground before the end of 2026.