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The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi has reiterated the vital role of renewable energy and digital innovation in driving inclusive growth and transforming rural communities across Nigeria.
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., Abdullahi described renewable energy as a fundamental enabler of 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.
Abdullahi explained that access to clean energy and technology could revolutionise rural livelihoods, citing examples of AI-powered farming tools, online platforms for women entrepreneur and remote digital jobs that enable young Nigerians to earn globally while living locally.
“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 said.
The NITDA boss linked these initiatives to President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda, which prioritises sustainability, diversification and inclusivity. He said 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 on eight strategic areas, including digital literacy, research, cybersecurity, innovation and strategic partnerships.
Abdullahi disclosed that NITDA, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, is integrating digital literacy into Nigeria’s school curriculum from kindergarten to tertiary levels. He added that digital competency is now a prerequisite for employment and promotion within the civil service.
Through these initiatives, the agency aims to train 50 million Nigerians by 2027, to create a skilled workforce capable of driving national digital 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,” Abdullahi said.
Also speaking at the session, senior operations officer for infrastructure at the World Bank Group, Fowzia Hassan 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 have set a clear target, a deadline and the resources to make it happen,” Hassan said.
She explained that the initiative consolidates the efforts of the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (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 dimension of energy access, Hassan cited data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) showing that women constitute 32 per cent of Africa’s renewable energy workforce, mostly in non-technical roles. She called for deliberate 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.
She added that key World Bank-supported initiatives include partnerships with the African Development Bank (AfDB) on National Energy Compacts, the DAIRS programme in Nigeria designed to mobilise over USD1 billion for mini grids and solar systems, and the Women in Energy Network Africa (WEN-Africa), which has already facilitated employment for 57 women with a target of 4,000 energy sector jobs for women within three years.
“Creating a clean, inclusive and just energy transition is not just about connecting homes; it is about empowering people, especially women and youth, to drive Africa’s prosperity,” Hassan said.
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