The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission, also known as DAWN Commission, and the South-West Development Commission have established a strategic partnership to promote coordinated regional development in Nigeria’s Southwest region. This collaboration aims to leverage the strengths of both institutions to drive economic growth, social progress, and improved living standards for the region’s estimated 40 million residents.
The partnership was formalized during a courtesy visit by the South-West Development Commission’s executive management team to the DAWN Commission’s office in Ibadan. The team, led by Managing Director/CEO Dr. Charles Akinola, comprised AdeFunmilayo Tejuoso, Executive Director of Corporate Services; Tele Ogunjobi, Executive Director of Finance; and Fatai Ibikunle, Executive Director of Commerce and Environmental Development.
Under this partnership, the South-West Development Commission will tap into the DAWN Commission’s 12 years of experience, established frameworks, and proven methodologies in regional integration and development. This collaboration is designed to accelerate the startup of full operations for the South-West Development Commission, avoiding typical challenges associated with new institutional setups. The partnership will initially focus on priority sectors, including agriculture modernization, railway infrastructure, human and social capital development, industrialization, technology, and innovation.
DAWN Commission’s Director-General, Dr. Seye Oyeleye, welcomed the collaboration, noting that it exemplifies the spirit of cooperation necessary for meaningful regional transformation. He emphasized that the DAWN Commission’s experience working across six states in the Southwest region has provided valuable lessons, which will be shared with the South-West Development Commission to ensure coordinated and efficient development interventions.
Both institutions expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his strategic leadership in integrating regional development as a critical pillar of national development. They also commended the South-West Governors’ Forum, under the chairmanship of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, for prioritizing regional development and fostering an enabling environment for institutional collaboration.
This partnership marks a new era of institutional synergy in Southwest Nigeria’s development landscape, with both organizations committed to delivering tangible results for the region. By working together, they aim to eliminate duplication of efforts, optimize resource deployment, and drive meaningful regional transformation. As the region’s development landscape continues to evolve, this collaboration is expected to play a significant role in unlocking the full potential of the Southwest region and improving the lives of its residents.