Abstract

Author:
Agama Omachi, Onum Friday Okoh

Doi: 10.26480/egnes.02.2025.79.84

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

This study investigates the role of digitalization and green technological innovation in influencing economic growth in Nigeria over the period 1990 to 2023. Using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, the study evaluates the impact of high-tech exports, renewable energy consumption, foreign direct investment and CO₂ emissions on real GDP. The analysis reveals that foreign direct investment has a significant and positive impact on economic growth in both the short and long run while high-tech exports and renewable energy consumption show negative or insignificant effects. This suggests that despite the growing global emphasis on digital and green technologies, Nigeria has yet to effectively integrate these innovations into its economic development strategy. The findings underscore the importance of enhancing digital infrastructure, fostering local innovation and addressing institutional and regulatory challenges hindering the productive use of renewable energy. It is recommended that the government promote innovation-driven policies, strengthen coordination among sectors and align digitalization and sustainability efforts with national development goals. Addressing these gaps will help Nigeria leverage the full potential of technological advancement and green innovation for sustainable economic growth. The study contributes to policy debates on the need for a balanced approach to economic planning that integrates environmental sustainability and technological progress as key drivers of long-term development.