DG NITDA Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, represented by his Special Adviser on Innovation and Research, Mr Lukman Lamid, at the TED 2025 event
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has reiterated the agency’s commitment to building a sustainable digital economy through the adoption of green technology and innovation.
Inuwa made this known at the 3rd Technology Ecosystem Dialogue (TED 2025), organised by the Young Innovators of Nigeria (YIN), with the theme “Green Tech and Energy Revolution: Transforming Business and Society.”
He commended the organisers for their dedication to nurturing innovation and empowering young Nigerians to develop sustainable solutions that contribute to national growth. “TED 2025 once again proves that Nigeria’s youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the change-makers of today,” he said.
According to Inuwa, the dialogue aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on economic diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative industries, and innovation.
The NITDA boss outlined the agency’s interventions in strengthening Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, including the establishment of Technology and Innovation Hubs across the country and several targeted programmes such as iHatch, the National Innovation Challenge, IgniteHer, We Elevate, and the Renewed Hope Innovation Nest.
He added that NITDA is also investing in research and partnerships around frontier technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and clean energy. These initiatives, he explained, aim to ensure inclusivity by equipping youth, women, and small businesses with digital tools to develop scalable, impactful solutions.
Inuwa stressed that green technology is no longer a choice but a necessity, calling for stronger collaboration among government, industry, academia, and the public to build a sustainable, digitally-driven economy. “We must work together to create a green, inclusive, and innovative future for Nigeria,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, sustainability expert Dr. Krakrafaa Bestman highlighted Nigeria’s vast renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, and hydro, as key assets for driving economic transformation. He noted that millions of Nigerians still lack reliable electricity access, but renewable energy presents an opportunity to bridge the gap.
Dr. Bestman referenced Nigeria’s energy transition targets, 30 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and 5GW of solar capacity, as well as ongoing projects such as the Nigerian Electrification Project and mini-grid initiatives aimed at rural communities.
He emphasised the adoption of circular economy practices like recycling and waste-to-energy systems to reduce pollution and create new business opportunities. For the transition to succeed, he outlined three key actions: policy reforms to attract investment, stronger private sector commitment to clean energy, and innovations that deliver safe, affordable, and adaptable technologies.
While highlighting the potential of renewables, Dr. Bestman warned of associated risks such as battery waste and poor installations, urging adherence to safety standards and lifecycle management.
“Green technologies must not only drive business but also safeguard our future,” he said, calling for unified efforts to position Nigeria as a continental leader in sustainable energy innovation.
