The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called for the integration of gender equity, disability inclusion and environmental sustainability into Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
The call was made by the Project Lead Officer for the Greening and Feminist Centering of the National Digital Transformation Agenda, Ms Fatima Babakura, during a press briefing held in Kano.
Babakura said the initiative forms part of CITAD’s ongoing advocacy project, implemented with the support of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), and is aimed at promoting socially inclusive and environmentally responsible digital development in Nigeria.
She noted that while Nigeria’s digital transformation is often considered successful due to infrastructure expansion and increased adoption of digital technologies, such progress does not automatically translate into equitable access and benefits for all citizens.
According to her, digital transformation is influenced by political and economic decisions that determine who benefits, who is excluded and whose realities are prioritised in policy design and implementation.
Babakura said significant inequalities persist within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, with rural communities, women and vulnerable persons in conflict-affected areas facing multiple barriers to digital participation.
She identified challenges such as high costs of data, limited access to digital devices and internet connectivity, language barriers, safety concerns and exclusion from policymaking processes as major obstacles confronting marginalised groups.
She described gender inequality as a critical issue, noting that women’s exclusion from the digital economy is driven by limited access to digital tools, online harassment, cultural restrictions and policies that fail to reflect their lived realities.
Babakura stressed that digital inclusion must go beyond connectivity to include safe online spaces, digital skills development, mentorship and culturally responsive approaches that empower women.
She also highlighted funding disparities in the digital economy, explaining that women-led and community-based digital initiatives often struggle to access capital and institutional support.
On disability inclusion, she said persons with disabilities remain largely excluded due to inaccessible infrastructure, limited availability of assistive technologies and weak representation in governance and planning processes.
Babakura further raised concerns about the environmental impact of digital expansion, noting that communities with weak regulatory protection often bear the burden of electronic waste and resource exploitation.
She emphasised the need to integrate climate and environmental justice considerations into digital policy frameworks to prevent ecological damage and social harm.
The project lead officer underscored the role of civil society organisations, community technology hubs, advocacy networks and the media in promoting inclusive digital policies and amplifying the voices of marginalised groups.
She urged policymakers and regulatory institutions to review Nigeria’s digital policies to ensure equity, gender justice, disability inclusion and environmental sustainability at all levels of implementation.
Babakura also called on development partners and private sector organisations to address funding gaps by supporting women-led, disability-inclusive and community-driven digital initiatives.
She appealed to the media to promote accountability by highlighting issues of access, power and exclusion within Nigeria’s digital transformation process.
She reaffirmed CITAD’s commitment to evidence-based advocacy, inclusive dialogue and stakeholder engagement to ensure that all segments of society benefit from Nigeria’s digital transformation.