NITDA DG Promises Strong Commitment to Green Tech And Innovation For Nigeria’s Digital Future
By Angeline Mgbele, Bureau Chief, Northern Nigeria
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering focus on advancing Nigeria’s digital economy through crucial green technology and innovation initiatives.
According to a NITDA statement e-signed by the Director of Corporate Communications & Media Relations, Hajia Hadiza Umar, Mallam Abdullahi delivered this commitment while speaking at the 3rd Technology Ecosystem Dialogue (TED 2025), an event expertly organised by the Young Innovators of Nigeria (YIN). The dialogue’s timely theme was: “Green Tech and Energy Revolution: Transforming Business and Society.”
Commending YIN for hosting a “timely and visionary dialogue,” Mallam Abdullahi praised the group’s consistent efforts in promoting innovation, nurturing young talent, and driving sustainable solutions vital for national development.
“TED 2025 once again proves that Nigeria’s youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the change-makers of today,” Abdullahi stated, highlighting the pivotal role of the country’s young innovators in shaping its future.
He noted that the theme of the event aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on economic diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts manufacturing, and innovation.
Highlighting NITDA’s interventions to strengthen the technology ecosystem, the NITDA boss listed several initiatives, including the establishment of Technology and Innovation Hubs across the country, as well as programmes such as iHatch, the National Innovation Challenge, IgniteHer, We Elevate, and Renewed Hope Innovation Nest. He also cited partnerships that fostered research and development in frontier technologies like AI, IoT, blockchain, and clean energy.
“These initiatives are designed to ensure that innovation is inclusive—reaching youth, women, and MSMEs across Nigeria—while equipping them with digital tools to create scalable solutions,” he explained.
Abdullahi stressed that embracing green technology was not optional but a necessity, urging collaboration between government, industry, academia, and citizens to build a digital, green, and inclusive future.
He assured stakeholders that NITDA was fully committed to partnerships that would enable Nigeria to lead Africa in leveraging green technology for growth, jobs, and sustainable development.
Delivering the keynote address, a Sustainability Expert Dr. Krakrafaa Bestman noted that millions of Nigerians still lacked reliable electricity, saying the nation was richly blessed with solar, wind, hydro, and human capital resources. He stressed that these endowments presented vast opportunities to bridge the energy gap and stimulate sustainable development.
Outlining Nigeria’s energy transition targets, he pointed to plans to generate 30 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and deploy 5GW of solar capacity and also referenced ongoing initiatives such as the Nigerian Electrification Project and community-based mini-grids designed to expand access, particularly in rural areas.
Dr Bestman further underscored the importance of adopting circular economy practices, including recycling and waste-to-energy solutions, as a means of reducing pollution while creating new economic opportunities.
For the transition to succeed, Dr. Bestman outlined three priorities: reforms to attract investment and incentivise renewable energy adoption; greater business commitment to clean energy sourcing and community partnerships; and innovations that deliver safe, affordable, and locally adaptable technologies.
He, however, cautioned against the risks associated with renewable energy systems, such as battery hazards and poorly installed solar panels, stressing the need for strict safety standards and comprehensive lifecycle management.
“Green technologies must not only drive businesses but also protect the future,” he declared, urging Nigerians to embrace innovation and collaboration. “The world is waiting for Nigeria’s leadership in building a resilient and sustainable energy system.”
