DAWN Commission and Ara Growth & Development Foundation Sign MoU for Pioneering Community Development Project

The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission and the Ara Growth & Development Foundation (AGDF) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to implement the Community-Led Development Toolkit (COLDET) project, marking a significant milestone in grassroots development initiatives in Southwest Nigeria.

The ceremony, held at DAWN Commission’s office in Ibadan, was attended by His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Olubayo Adesola Oyelade Windapo,  Abidogun 1st, the Alara of Ara Kingdom, who led the AGDF delegation..He is also the convener of the AGDF initiative. 

The COLDET project aims to revolutionise community development and Ara town will serve as the pilot field for this innovative toolkit, which is designed to empower township associations to take ownership of their development trajectory.

Chairman of the AGDF Steering Committee, Dr Tunji Olugbodiexpressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting, “The AGDF has established an ARA2035 Agenda to transform our ancient community. This coincides perfectly with DAWN’s COLDET project, making it an ideal collaboration. Together, we will demonstrate how communities can lead their own development with the right tools and support.”

The Director-General of DAWN Commission, Dr. SeyeOyeleye, added that “This initiative embodies our commitment to sustainable regional development. By empowering communities to identify their unique assets and opportunities, we are building capacity for long-term self-reliance. What makes COLDET different is its structured approach to community engagement and its focus on evidence-based prioritisation.”

“This partnership represents a fundamental shift in how we approach community development by transitioning from traditional top-down approaches to a more sustainable bottom-up model,” said Segun Balogun, COLDET Project Lead. “COLDET will empower local stakeholders to systematically identify assets, prioritise needs, and implement sustainable projects.”

The project will implement an integrated framework approach, combining systems Practice with other frameworks to provide communities with comprehensive tools for self-assessment and development planning.

The four-month pilot programme will include comprehensive community mapping, resource assessment, stakeholder engagement, and the development of strategic frameworks. The lessons learned from Ara will inform the toolkit’s refinement before expansion to other communities across Southwest Nigeria.

This initiative represents a significant step forward in changing Nigeria’s development model, addressing the long-standing challenge of misaligned priorities and unsustainable outcomes in community development projects.