By Stellamaris Ashinze
WITIN Girls, an initiative of Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN), has won the 2026 Universal Access and Service (UAS) Excellence Award of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO).
The Founder of WITIN, Mrs Martha Alade, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
She said the recognition honoured WITIN Girls’ efforts to expand access to digital and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning among girls across Nigeria.
Alade said the initiative reached girls through STEM clubs and outreach programmes in schools, communities, underserved areas and hard-to-reach locations.
According to her, the programme goes beyond providing access to technology by equipping girls with skills to develop solutions to challenges in their communities.
“For us, this recognition belongs first to the girls.
“The award is a recognition of the girls’ participation in creating, experimenting, solving problems and imagining new possibilities.
“The award recognises initiatives making significant contributions to digital inclusion and access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services for underserved and marginalised communities,” she said.
According to her, the CTO Digital Excellence Awards celebrate digital initiatives demonstrating measurable impact, innovation and leadership across Commonwealth countries.
She also credited teachers, mentors, parents, volunteers, coordinators, partners and institutions for supporting the programme.
Alade said the award reinforced WITIN’s commitment to creating opportunities, building capabilities and advancing digital inclusion from the grassroots.
She said the organisation’s work focused on increasing the representation of women and girls in STEM and promoting gender equality, inclusion and diversity in technology.
She said WITIN, established in 2002, was committed to advancing STEM skills and digital literacy for underserved women and girls in Africa.
According to her, the organisation is also in special consultative status with the United Nations and runs programmes covering digital skills, mentoring, STEM education, connectivity advocacy and technology inclusion.
Alade expressed appreciation to the CTO for the recognition and said WITIN would continue empowering girls through technology and STEM education.
NAN reports that the CTO listed WITIN Girls, Nigeria, among the winners of its 2026 Digital Excellence Awards, alongside initiatives from Pakistan, Botswana, Rwanda and the United Kingdom.
Other winners included Pakistan’s National Incubation Centers for Digital Policy and Regulatory Excellence and BwCIRT of Botswana for Cybersecurity Excellence.
Rwanda’s IremboGov won the award for 21st Century Government/E-Government Initiatives, while the UK’s I.AI Extract won for Digital Applications and Innovation.
The CTO said the awards recognised outstanding ICT and digital transformation initiatives, promoted innovation and knowledge exchange, and highlighted measurable impact and inclusive digital development.
The UAS Excellence Award specifically recognises initiatives that significantly improve digital inclusion and access to ICT services for underserved or marginalised communities.
The 2026 recognition places WITIN Girls among initiatives contributing to efforts to bridge digital access gaps and ensure more young people, particularly girls, participate meaningfully in the digital economy. (NAN)
Edited by Chinyere Omeire
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