Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to closing the gender digital divide by presenting the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS) at the United Nations 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69).
Themed “Digital Harmony: Advancing Gender Inclusion by Empowering Women and Children for a Secure Digital Future,” the high-level event underscored Nigeria’s dedication to fostering equitable access to digital technology, online safety and economic empowerment for women and children.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA), took centre stage in unveiling the NGDIS, a framework aimed at eliminating barriers to digital inclusion for women and girls.
Speaking at the event, special assistant to the director-general on strategic partnerships, Iklima Salihu presented the strategy, emphasising NITDA’s role in driving digital transformation and creating opportunities for women and girls to actively participate in the digital economy. She explained that the NGDIS aligns with Nigeria’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 and 8, which focus on gender equality and economic empowerment.
Representing NITDA’s director-general, Kashifu Abdullahi, she highlighted that the framework prioritizes digital literacy, entrepreneurship, online safety and gender-responsive policies to accelerate women’s participation in Nigeria’s growing digital economy. She described the NGDIS as a game-changer in ensuring inclusive and equitable digital transformation.
The NGDIS is built on five core pillars designed to expand women’s access, participation and leadership in the digital space:
1. Digital Literacy & Skills Development – Ensuring at least 40 per cent female participation in all national digital training initiatives.
2. Innovation & Entrepreneurship Support – Facilitating access to funding, mentorship, and technical assistance for female-led startups under the Nigeria Startup Act.
3. Online Safety & Cybersecurity Awareness – Addressing the risks of cyber harassment, digital gender-based violence, and ensuring safer online spaces.
4. Gender-Responsive Policies & Legal Frameworks – Advocating for stronger regulations that promote inclusivity in the tech industry.
5. Infrastructure & Digital Access Expansion – Reducing the urban-rural divide by improving internet and smartphone accessibility for women.
Addressing the audience, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman, FSI, emphasised the urgent need for action in tackling gender disparities in digital access. She presented concerning statistics, revealing that 68 per cent of Nigerian women do not own smartphones, making it difficult for them to access online services, financial tools, and economic opportunities.
She highlighted that beyond access, women and children face significant online risks, including: cyber harassment and digital gender-based violence, exclusion from economic and employment opportunities in the tech sector and limited participation in decision-making roles within the digital economy.
Sulaiman called for the swift implementation of the NGDIS (2024-2027), stressing that the strategy is not just a policy document but a call to action that will remove the structural barriers preventing women from fully engaging in the digital economy. She urged strong legal frameworks to promote digital literacy and financial inclusion, provide safe online spaces for women and girls and empower women to thrive in technology-driven industries.
The minister reaffirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda prioritizes creating an inclusive digital future where no woman or child is left behind. She called on all stakeholders – government agencies, private sector players, civil society organisations and development partners – to work together in transforming digital access and security for women and children.
As the world advances into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, NITDA, in collaboration with key stakeholders, is taking bold and strategic steps to ensure women and girls not only participate but lead in Nigeria’s digital transformation.
The National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS) serves as a blueprint for action, outlining clear steps for accelerating digital inclusion, fostering entrepreneurship among women and strengthening online safety measures.
By committing to breaking the gender digital divide, Nigeria is setting a precedent for other nations, demonstrating that technology can be a tool for empowerment rather than exclusion.
As discussions at CSW69 concluded, stakeholders expressed optimism that the NGDIS would pave the way for a more inclusive digital economy, where Nigerian women and girls have equal access to opportunities, resources, and a secure digital future.
