In a powerful stride towards an inclusive digital future, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is spearheading a transformative drive to empower Nigerian women in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the digital economy. This commitment was reiterated by NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, at the “Innovate Her 25” conference, the 10th National Conference and 11th Annual Meeting of Nigerian Women in Information Technology.
Speaking at the event themed “Women in AI: Unlocking Resilience, Fostering Innovation and Leadership,” Inuwa, represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, emphasized that inclusivity is embedded as a core objective in Nigeria’s AI Strategy.
“Our strategic roadmap mandates that at least 40% of our programmes directly benefit women and underserved groups,” the DG revealed, adding that a dedicated Gender Inclusion Strategy has been developed to guide interventions in training and infrastructure.
Inuwa highlighted NITDA’s broad capacity-building initiatives, which span AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. For instance, the agency is actively working with partners like the Renew Hope Initiative to train thousands of women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The DG further stressed the importance of targeted training with measurable outcomes and encouraged organizations like the Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIT) to submit proposals for bespoke, community-specific programs.
The agency spotlighted several major initiatives supporting its vision:
- Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL): This initiative aims to equip 70% of Nigerians with digital literacy by 2027. Through partnerships with the NYSC and the integration of digital literacy into national school curricula, the agency plans to train over 30 million Nigerians, with a dedicated focus on underserved communities.
- Ethical AI and Local Datasets: Addressing critical concerns, Inuwa assured that NITDA is working closely with stakeholders to build local datasets and Large Language Models reflective of Nigeria’s unique realities, thereby safeguarding digital rights and ensuring ethical AI use.
- Leadership Summit: The DG excitedly announced that NITDA will host a Leadership Summit on AI in September 2025 to convene stakeholders across the African continent and forge a unified AI vision for Africa.
NITDA affirmed its commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth and is actively championing mentorship for women through initiatives like Women Innovate. The agency warmly welcomes collaboration with NIWIT to design structured mentorship programs, declaring, “Partnership and collaboration remain the way forward.”