The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi has announced that the Federal Government’s effort to close the digital gender gap is producing positive results in Nigeria’s digital economy development.
Abdullahi made this statement while declaring open a one-day free training on digital innovation and entrepreneurship in Abuja to commemorate the 2023 edition of the International Women’s Day.
The event was themed “Digital Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality” and aimed to train women between ages 18 and 30 on digital marketing and 3D-printing.
Abdullahi noted that the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) implementation had successfully incorporated children, women, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the physically challenged into digital skills training. He emphasised that women are the best teachers of digital transformation and education and, as a result, the agency took steps to promote digital innovation and create an enabling environment that maximises the potential of all Nigerian women.
He revealed that Nigeria’s female population was approximately 104 million and the country could benefit significantly by bridging the digital gender divide and including more women in the technological industry. The agency, he said, has implemented several strategic programmes and initiatives, with over $4.4 billion invested in the last four years, leading to the creation of over 35,000 direct jobs.
The NITDA boss urged participants to make the best use of the opportunity afforded to them during the training.
Certificates of participation were later issued to all attendees.
One of the participants, Aisha Yusuf, thanked the agency for exposing her and other young ladies to the opportunities awaiting them in the global digital business environment.
