“Empowering Women: First Lady Urges ICT Training Graduates To Lead And Inspire”

First Lady Urges Women to Apply ICT Skills, Mentor Others as Training Programme Concludes....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has urged beneficiaries of the 2025 Women ICT Training and Empowerment Programme to leverage their newly acquired digital skills, pursue continuous learning, and mentor other women and girls across Nigeria.

Speaking on Thursday at the programme’s closing ceremony, jointly organized by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, the First Lady emphasized that participants now bear the responsibility of promoting digital literacy and empowerment in their communities.

“I encourage you to apply the skills you have learned, pursue continuous growth, and mentor other women and girls to embrace opportunities in the digital space,” she told the 2025 cohort.

Senator Tinubu described the participants as “ambassadors of digital literacy,” highlighting their creativity and determination as evidence of the programme’s expanding impact. She expressed confidence that the knowledge gained will foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and long-term empowerment.

Reflecting on the programme’s growth, she noted that it began in 2023 with a pioneering group of women and expanded in 2024, training 252 young women—40 from each geopolitical zone and the FCT—who emerged as Digital Literacy Champions.

For the 2025 edition, the programme was implemented in Bauchi, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Imo, Edo, and Ondo States, as well as the FCT, reaching a total of 320 beneficiaries. This included 40 women from each zone, 40 from the FCT, and an additional 40 stakeholders, all trained in essential digital skills designed to enhance their socio-economic opportunities.

Senator Tinubu highlighted that the collaboration between NITDA and RHI falls under the Economic Empowerment framework of RHI and aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to accelerate economic diversification through industrialization and digitalization.

“By providing ICT training to women across Nigeria, we are laying strong foundations for a digital future where more women and girls can thrive, innovate, and lead,” she said, while also appreciating NITDA Director-General Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, his team, state First Ladies, and RHI coordinators for their dedication. She also commended facilitators and trainers for opening doors for women nationwide.

Earlier, NITDA DG Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi lauded the First Lady’s leadership in advancing digital empowerment for women. He noted that the initiative complements President Tinubu’s broader objectives of economic diversification, human capital development, and inclusivity.

Abdullahi stated that Nigeria aims to achieve a 70 percent digital literacy rate by 2027, with NITDA working alongside the Ministry of Education to integrate digital literacy into the national curriculum from early childhood through tertiary education. Several universities have already adopted digital literacy as a general studies requirement.

The DG explained that the women trained acquired foundational digital skills, including device and software use, data literacy, content creation, digital marketing, online safety, problem-solving, and insights into the gig economy. “You can live in Aba and work remotely for clients in Lagos, Abuja, or even internationally. The future is the gig economy, and knowledge gives you power,” he told the participants.

Between 2023 and 2024, NITDA trained over 1.1 million Nigerians in various digital skills. Under the women-focused partnership, 607 women have benefited, and in 2025 alone, 510,000 Nigerians—including 10,000 teachers and 32,000 civil servants—have been trained.

“To truly touch lives, we must prioritize women. When we empower women, we empower families and strengthen communities. Strong communities lead to a more inclusive and prosperous nation,” he added.

The closing ceremony was attended by wives of senior government officials, including the Deputy Senate President, Chief of Staff to the President, several state First Ladies, ministers’ wives, and wives of service chiefs, including those of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and DSS.