The governments of Nigeria’s South-West region have entered into a five-year strategic partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to accelerate digital transformation, strengthen innovation ecosystems, and expand technology-driven economic opportunities across the region.
The agreement was signed under the framework of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN Commission) and is aimed at positioning the South-West as a leading digital economy hub in Nigeria and Africa. The partnership will focus on digital skills development, innovation, entrepreneurship, technology adoption, and digital infrastructure expansion.
According to stakeholders, the collaboration seeks to equip young people with in-demand digital skills while supporting start-ups, small businesses, and innovation-driven enterprises capable of creating jobs and driving economic growth across the region.
The initiative is expected to support programmes in areas such as software development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies. It will also encourage stronger collaboration between government institutions, academia, private sector organizations, and innovation hubs.
Officials noted that digital transformation remains a critical component of regional economic competitiveness, especially as businesses increasingly adopt technology to improve productivity, efficiency, and market access. The partnership aims to ensure that the South-West remains at the forefront of Nigeria’s digital economy growth.
NITDA emphasized that the agreement aligns with the Federal Government’s broader digital economy agenda, which seeks to expand digital inclusion, improve technology adoption, and build a globally competitive knowledge-based economy. The agency believes regional collaborations will play a key role in achieving national digital transformation objectives.
Industry experts say the partnership could significantly strengthen the region’s technology ecosystem by improving access to digital skills, fostering innovation, and attracting technology investments. The South-West is already home to some of Nigeria’s largest technology clusters and start-up communities, making it a strategic location for digital economy development. The agreement comes amid increasing efforts by governments across Africa to leverage digital technologies for economic growth, job creation, financial inclusion, and improved public service delivery. Analysts believe sustained investment in digital infrastructure and human capital development will be critical to long-term economic competitiveness.
