The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission to accelerate digital literacy, innovation development, and economic growth across Southwest Nigeria.
The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja.
Speaking at the ceremony, NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, described the agreement as a significant step toward harnessing human capital and strengthening regional collaboration to drive sustainable development.
He praised the Southwest region’s tradition of cooperation, noting that collective action remains essential to national progress.
According to Inuwa, Nigeria’s greatest resource is its people, making investments in digital skills, innovation, and technology crucial for creating prosperity and expanding economic opportunities. He said the partnership would facilitate knowledge sharing, capacity building, and innovation-driven programmes capable of empowering citizens to develop solutions with local and global relevance.
The NITDA chief highlighted the agency’s ongoing efforts to expand digital literacy programmes, support innovation hubs, and promote technology development nationwide. He noted that innovation thrives where talent, infrastructure, and supportive policies intersect.
Inuwa pointed to Lagos as an established fintech hub and commercial centre, while describing Abuja as an emerging GovTech ecosystem. He encouraged other regions to identify and strengthen their unique competitive advantages to build thriving innovation clusters.
On his part, DAWN Commission Director General, Seye Oyeleye, described the partnership as a strategic vehicle for advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
He noted that the Commission, which coordinates development initiatives across Ekiti State, Lagos State, Ogun State, Ondo State, Osun State, and Oyo State, sees digital literacy as essential to preparing citizens for opportunities in the digital economy.
Oyeleye also referenced Nigeria’s goal of equipping 100 million citizens with digital skills by 2030 through the Digital Literacy for All Initiative, stressing that the Southwest region is central to achieving that objective.
The MoU will support the implementation of NITDA’s National Digital Literacy Framework across the Southwest while strengthening innovation ecosystems and creating sustainable economic opportunities for citizens.
