The Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, has said that adopting green technology and digital tools is key to securing Nigeria’s energy and industrial future.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday at the third Technology Ecosystem Dialogue organized by Young Innovators Nigeria (YIN), Olawande — represented by his Senior Adviser, Mr. Obinna Ebirim — stressed the need to invest in young talent and innovation.
The event, themed “Green Tech and Energy Revolution: Transforming Business and Society”, brought together innovators, government officials, and stakeholders to discuss sustainable digital and energy solutions for Nigeria’s growth.
Olawande said it was important to carry everyone along, especially rural communities and young women. He noted that the green and digital future “is not on the horizon; it is already here.”
He explained that technology is now powering economies, changing business models, and helping young Nigerians solve difficult problems. He added that such opportunities must be made accessible and inclusive for all.
According to him, Nigeria’s future will be shaped by digital codes, powered by renewable energy, and driven by the creativity and resilience of young people.
Olawande also said platforms like the dialogue help youth move from “learning to earning,” “dreaming to doing,” and “innovating to scaling,” through practical engagement and support.
He added that the ministry sees youth creativity as Nigeria’s greatest asset and that such initiatives provide real opportunities for young people to contribute to economic growth and global leadership in technology.
Chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, Rep. Victor Ogene, said digitalisation is vital for energy transformation, pointing to smart metering, remote monitoring, and AI-driven systems as ways to boost transparency and performance.
Ogene noted that digital monitoring reduces downtime by 30 percent, while mobile-enabled payments raise collection efficiency from 60 to over 90 percent — key figures for expanding national electricity access.
He said Nigeria still has 85 million people without electricity, but connecting just 25 percent of them through digital mini-grids and solar home systems could create 200,000 jobs and cut carbon emissions significantly.
Ogene promised that the National Assembly would support policies that align renewable energy with youth innovation. He said renewable energy must go beyond policy to tap into the ideas and creativity of Nigerian youth.
He also highlighted that Nigeria spends about $22 billion annually on diesel for more than 60 million small generators, which he called unsustainable and harmful to the environment.
With digital-powered systems, he explained, these generators could be replaced by clean energy that is 40 percent cheaper per kilowatt-hour and better suited for rural and peri-urban areas.
Director-General of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, represented by Balance Tyoden, Head of R&D, said citizens, youth, and women must not remain bystanders but become co-owners of Nigeria’s energy transformation.
He said renewable options like solar mini-grids and home systems can change lives, but technology alone is not enough. National innovation strategies must also focus on inclusive growth.
Aliyu stressed that young innovators should play a central role in shaping energy policies to ensure fairness, industrial growth, and job creation across rural and urban areas.
Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi, represented by his Senior Adviser, Lukman Lamid, said green technology is now a necessity. He called for strong collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector.
He assured stakeholders that NITDA is ready to work across sectors to ensure Nigeria not only benefits from green technology but also leads Africa in its use and development.
Abdullahi said the vision is for a future that is digitally driven, sustainably powered, and inclusively built through collaboration and youth-led innovation in energy and digital infrastructure.
President of Young Innovators Nigeria, Andrew Agbo, said the dialogue is a platform to showcase youth-led energy solutions that address national challenges and support long-term food security.
Agbo explained that energy is directly linked to food systems, and Nigeria cannot progress without fixing both. Clean energy, he said, can unlock agricultural potential and drive rural development.
He added that the programme is designed to help Nigeria achieve energy independence, empower local innovators, and create sustainable, youth-led solutions to improve electricity access and food security for all Nigerians.
