Culture, Technology and Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper explores the interconnected roles of culture and technology in advancing sustainable development in Nigeria. While technology has historically promised improved living standards through scientific innovations, it has also contributed to environmental degradation, inequality, and resource depletion. Despite the rapid global diffusion of innovations, many African societies, including Nigeria, still face persistent poverty and underdevelopment, highlighting the paradox of technological progress. The study emphasizes the need to situate technology within cultural contexts, as culture embodies values, traditions, and social systems that shape how innovations are appropriated and sustained. Sustainable development, guided by the United Nations’ framework, is conceptualized through economic, social, environmental, cultural, and political dimensions. The paper argues that cultural regeneration, coupled with appropriate and context-sensitive technologies, can promote inclusive growth and ecological balance in Nigeria. It further highlights the potential of information and communication technologies, appropriate technologies, and indigenous knowledge systems to complement modern innovations. Ultimately, sustainable development in Nigeria requires integrating culture with technology, underpinned by strong governance and inclusive policy frameworks.