By Olasunkanmi Onifade
The Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIIT) has called on government, industry players and stakeholders to promote innovation, leadership and inclusion for women in Nigeria’s digital economy.
The President of NIWIIT, Olukemi Ayodele, made the call at the organisation’s two-day conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
It was themed, “Next-Gen Women: Driving the Digital Economy Through Leadership, Innovation and Inclusion”.
Ayodele said the association remained committed to equipping women with digital skills, mentorship and opportunities to lead technology companies and contribute to policy development.
She added that NIWIIT would continue to promote digital literacy and leadership programmes to prepare more women for emerging opportunities in the technology sector.
The President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Prof. Muhammad Aliyu, described women’s ideas and innovations as critical to the future growth of Nigeria’s technology industry.
Aliyu commended NIWIIT’s Tech Queens Initiative and RoboGirls with Allied Boys programme for nurturing young talents in science, technology and innovation.
The Chief Information Officer of MTN Nigeria, Bukola Ajayi, said women’s inclusion in technology was an economic necessity capable of accelerating national development.
Ajayi urged stakeholders to move beyond providing access by empowering women with decision-making roles and increasing their representation in leadership positions.
“We don’t just join the future of building this digital infrastructure; we need to design it,” she said.
The Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, urged women to become innovators rather than spectators in the digital revolution.
Represented by Ada Chukwumere, she described capacity as an asset built through discipline, innovation and problem-solving.
Benjamins-Laniyi stressed that digital inclusion must be supported by strong commitments to online privacy and digital safety.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that schools participating in the RoboGirls robotics competition received awards, while winning teams were presented with robotics kits to encourage continued innovation and learning.
The event attracted technology executives, regulators, academics and professional bodies to discuss strategies for increasing women’s participation in Nigeria’s digital economy. (NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade