The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission and the South‑West Development Commission have entered a strategic partnership to promote coordinated regional development in Nigeria’s Southwest. The 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, included AdeFunmilayo Tejuoso, Executive Director of Corporate Services; Tele Ogunjobi, Executive Director of Finance; and Fatai Ibikunle, Executive Director of Commerce and Environmental Development.
Under the agreement, the South‑West Development Commission will tap into DAWN’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, helping it avoid the typical challenges faced by new institutional setups. Initially, the partnership will focus on priority sectors such as agriculture modernization, railway infrastructure, human and social capital development, industrialization, technology, and innovation.
DAWN Commission Director‑General Dr. Seye Oyeleye welcomed the collaboration, noting that it exemplifies the spirit of cooperation necessary for meaningful regional transformation. He emphasized that DAWN’s experience working across six Southwest states has yielded valuable lessons that 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 progress. They also commended the South‑West Governors’ Forum, chaired by 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. Committed to delivering tangible results, the two organizations aim to eliminate duplication of effort, optimize resource deployment, and drive meaningful regional transformation. As the development landscape evolves, the collaboration is expected to play a significant role in unlocking the Southwest’s full potential and improving the lives of its residents.
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