Technological Innovation and Urbanisation as Drivers of Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria
Keywords:
Environmental Sustainability, Technological Innovation, Urbanisation, Sustainable Development, NigeriaAbstract
This study analyzed the intricate relationship between technology, urbanization, economic growth, and environmental sustainability in Nigeria from 1990 to 2024. Utilizing the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) framework and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) methodology, it reveals that all variables were integrated of order one, indicating a stable long-run relationship. Key findings highlight a positive yet statistically insignificant impact of technology on environmental sustainability, hindered by weak institutional support and limited green innovation. Urbanization positively correlates with environmental outcomes when urban development is structured. Economic growth initially harms environmental sustainability at lower income levels but aligns with the EKC hypothesis, suggesting eventual improvement at higher income levels. Energy consumption and industrial value added have positive but insignificant effects on the environment. Notably, the interaction between technology and urbanization is negative and significant, implying that their concurrent growth exacerbates environmental issues due to inefficiencies. The study concludes that Nigeria's environmental sustainability is influenced by complex macroeconomic interactions and advocates for enhanced green policies, improved urban planning, cleaner energy transitions, structural transformations, and coordinated policy integration for sustainable outcomes. It recommended stronger green innovation policies, improved urban planning, cleaner energy transitions, structural transformation, and coordinated policy integration between technology and urban development to achieve sustainable environmental outcomes.
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