Digital policies may fall short , without inclusive climate conscious frameworks
Kola Oyelere Kano
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The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called for the integration of environmental sustainability and gender considerations into Nigeria’s digital policies, warning that the country’s digital transformation agenda may fall short without inclusive and climate-conscious frameworks.
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.
” The forum convened policymakers, academics and civil society actors to deliberate on emerging digital challenges and strategies for building inclusive technology policies in Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of CITAD’s Executive Director, Malam Haruna welcomed participants and commended stakeholders for their consistent engagement in previous editions of the forum.
He stressed the importance of collective dialogue in shaping responsive and forward-looking digital policies.
“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.”
Project Lead, Fatima Babakura, outlined the framework for the discussions, emphasizing that feminist perspectives in digital policy primarily address gender inclusivity and the impact of digital technologies on women.
“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.
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She noted that digital technologies are transforming economies, governance and societies worldwide, supporting economic growth, innovation, communication, productivity and automation.
According to her, Nigeria’s digital economy has witnessed significant growth, with businesses increasingly operating online through social media platforms.
Communication has also evolved from voice-only interactions to video connectivity, enabling long-distance engagement.
Babakura added that automation and artificial intelligence technologies have improved efficiency in sectors such as accounting and data processing, though she cautioned that such advancements could lead to job displacement if not properly managed.
She further highlighted the role of digital technologies in climate monitoring and environmental management, explaining that improved data collection and analysis can help communities better understand and respond to environmental challenges.
Also speaking at the forum, Dr. Halima Abdulkadir of the Department of Environmental Management, Bayero University, underscored the environmental implications of rapid digitalisation.
“Digital technologies rely heavily on energy, materials, and infrastructure, including ICT systems, data centres, cloud computing, AI, IoT, telecommunications infrastructure, and digital devices,” she said.
Dr. Abdulkadir explained that these systems consume significant amounts of electricity, often generated from fossil fuels, thereby contributing to carbon emissions and environmental degradation if not adequately regulated.
She also raised concerns about electronic waste, warning that discarded digital devices can pose serious environmental and public health risks when not properly managed.
She advocated a transition to renewable energy sources and the incorporation of sustainability principles into Nigeria’s digital policy frameworks.
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“Digital transformation must integrate environmental sustainability and gender considerations into policy frameworks to avoid unintended negative consequences,” she concluded.
Participants at the forum agreed that aligning technology, gender equity and environmental sustainability is essential to ensuring that Nigeria’s digital transformation delivers inclusive growth while mitigating climate and social risks.