The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa, expressed concern over the limited involvement of women entrepreneurs in technology innovation and development.
He pledged to vigorously pursue the integration of women tech entrepreneurs into the country’s digital innovation and technology advancement efforts.
Inuwa conveyed these sentiments during the inauguration of the Female Tech Founders Training program at the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Abuja. Represented by NITDA’s acting Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Development, Amina Magaji, Inuwa highlighted the positive response, noting that over 7,000 Women Tech Founders registered for the training program within a span of two weeks.
Magaji emphasized that the initiative, in collaboration with NITDA, aligns with the Federal Government’s identified eight pillars aimed at enhancing women’s engagement in technology innovation, acquisition, and development.
She said, “I am delighted to stand before you today as we embark on a transformative journey. In just two weeks, our call for the Female Founders Training resonated across our great nation, yielding an extraordinary response with a staggering 7,151 applications pouring in from all 36 states.
“This overwhelming interest underscores the untapped potential and enthusiasm that exists among our women in the field of technology,”
She elaborated that the program’s objective was to propel women forward in the realm of technology, establishing avenues for networking and collaborative resource-sharing to enhance their businesses.
Magaji clarified that beyond training, the program aimed to explore ways to generate wealth and employment opportunities within the technology sector, emphasizing the significance of active involvement by women technology entrepreneurs in these endeavors.
She further stated, “Over the next two weeks, our mission encompasses identifying and showcasing innovative tech-based ideas and solutions developed by Nigerian females.
“We aim to promote and support these tech-based ventures founded by women, contributing to the closing of gender gaps within the tech ecosystem. Furthermore, our commitment extends to promoting and supporting digital job creation for females, a crucial step towards fostering inclusivity and equality.
“This program aligns seamlessly with two priority areas of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda: the investment in the digital economy to empower Nigerians with new skills and sustain jobs, and the drive for women empowerment to champion equity and parity across every facet of our lives.”
