The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has stressed that renewable energy and digital innovation are pivotal to driving inclusive growth and transforming rural communities across Nigeria.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has stressed that renewable energy and digital innovation are pivotal to driving inclusive growth and transforming rural communities across Nigeria.
Inuwa made this assertion while speaking as a panellist at the Civil Society Policy Forum during the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington D.C.
He described renewable energy as a “fundamental enabler” for digital inclusion and economic empowerment.
“Renewable energy is not the destination. It is a catalyst — when there is power, connectivity follows, and that connectivity triggers true transformation,” he said.
The NITDA boss highlighted how access to clean energy and technology can transform livelihoods in rural areas, citing examples such as AI-powered farming tools, online platforms for women entrepreneurs, and remote digital jobs that allow young Nigerians to earn income globally while remaining in their local communities.
“A farmer equipped with a simple app can double his income, send his child to school, and employ others. A young person with internet access doesn’t need to migrate to Abuja or Lagos — he can work from his village and earn in dollars,” he explained.
Inuwa linked these initiatives to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises sustainability, diversification, and inclusivity. He added that Nigeria’s digital economy strategy under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy rests on five key pillars — knowledge, policy, infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship, and trade — while NITDA’s operational framework expands into eight strategic pillars including digital literacy, research, cybersecurity, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
He revealed that NITDA, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, is integrating digital literacy into Nigeria’s school curriculum from kindergarten to tertiary levels. Furthermore, digital competency has been made a prerequisite for employment and promotion in the civil service.
Through these efforts, NITDA aims to train 50 million Nigerians by 2027, creating a digitally skilled workforce to drive the nation’s transformation.
“Our vision is clear, our journey is set, and our resolve is stronger than ever. We invite everyone to join us in building a digitally empowered and prosperous Nigeria,” Inuwa concluded.
Also speaking at the session, Fowzia Hassan, Senior Operations Officer for Infrastructure at the World Bank Group, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to expanding energy access across Africa through its Mission 300 (M300) initiative, which targets 300 million new connections by 2030.
“Access to energy has always been central to the Bank’s development agenda, but with M300, we’ve set a clear target, a deadline, and the resources to make it happen,” Hassan said.
She explained that M300 consolidates the efforts of the World Bank, IFC, and MIGA to strengthen regulations, attract private investment, and deploy innovative financing models, such as blended finance and risk-sharing facilities to reach underserved communities.
Highlighting the gender aspect of energy access, Hassan cited data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) showing that women account for 32 percent of Africa’s renewable energy workforce, mostly in non-technical roles. She called for stronger policies to enhance women’s participation in technical and leadership positions.
“Women are vital consumers, producers, and decision makers in energy. Yet they face barriers ranging from finance to education and workplace inclusion,” she said.
Hassan further noted ongoing World Bank–supported initiatives, including partnerships with the African Development Bank (AfDB) on National Energy Compacts, the DAIRS Programme in Nigeria — which aims to mobilize over $1 billion for mini-grids and solar systems — and the Women in Energy Network Africa (WEN-Africa), which has already created 57 jobs for women, with a goal of producing 4,000 more within three years.
“Creating a clean, inclusive, and just energy transition is not just about connecting homes — it’s about empowering people, especially women and youth, to drive Africa’s prosperity,” she added.
Renewable Energy, Technology Key to Rural Transformation — NITDA DG
