The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called for the integration of environmental sustainability and gender considerations into Nigeria’s digital policies, saying such measures are crucial for a successful national digital transformation agenda.
The call was made on Thursday during the fourth edition of CITAD’s Digital Tech Forum, themed “Greening and Feminist Centering of the National Digital Transformation Agenda,” which aimed to foster dialogue among policymakers, academics, and civil society on emerging digital challenges and inclusive technology policies.
Malam Haruna, who welcomed participants on behalf of CITAD’s Executive Director, commended stakeholders for their continued engagement in previous editions and stressed the importance of collective dialogue in shaping better digital policies in the country.
“This edition focuses on the green and feminist centering of digital policies in Nigeria,” Haruna said. “It is crucial that environmental sustainability and gender considerations are integrated into the national digital transformation efforts. We hope participants will gain insights to improve Nigeria’s digital policy landscape and take this knowledge back to their organisations for advocacy at higher policy-making levels.”
Fatima Babakura, the project lead, explained the framework of the discussions, highlighting the importance of gender inclusivity in digital policy.
“When we discuss feminist perspectives in this forum, the focus is on gender inclusivity, particularly on how digital policies affect women in the digital space,” Babakura said. “Digital technologies are transforming economies, governance, and societies worldwide. They support economic growth, innovation, communication, productivity, smart services, and automation.”
She noted that Nigeria is witnessing significant growth in the digital economy, with businesses increasingly operating online through social media platforms. Communication has evolved from voice-only interactions to video connectivity, enabling long-distance engagement, while automation and artificial intelligence technologies have improved efficiency in sectors such as accounting and data processing. Babakura, however, cautioned that automation could lead to job displacement.
“Digital technologies also contribute to climate monitoring and environmental management through improved data collection and analysis, helping communities better understand and respond to environmental challenges,” she added.
Dr. Halima Abdulkadir of the Department of Environmental Management, Bayero University, Kano, highlighted the environmental challenges associated with digitalisation and the need for integrated policies.
“Digital technologies rely heavily on energy, materials, and infrastructure, including ICT systems, data centres, cloud computing, AI, IoT, telecommunications infrastructure, and digital devices,” Dr. Abdulkadir said.
She added that these systems consume large amounts of electricity, often generated from fossil fuels, contributing to carbon emissions and environmental degradation if not properly regulated.
Dr. Abdulkadir also raised concerns about electronic waste (e-waste), noting the harmful environmental impact of discarded digital devices if not managed effectively. She stressed the importance of transitioning to renewable energy and incorporating sustainability into digital policy frameworks.
“Digital transformation must integrate environmental sustainability and gender considerations into policy frameworks to avoid unintended negative consequences,” she concluded.
The forum brought together policymakers, academics, and civil society actors to discuss the intersection of technology, gender, and environmental sustainability in Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.