NITDA applauds NGO as 500 girls graduate from digital empowerment programme

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has commended the Lola Cater for the Needy Foundation for its outstanding efforts in empowering 500 young girls across Nigeria with vital digital and technology skills.

Speaking at the WeTechHer Graduation Ceremony and Book Launch in Abuja, the Special Assistant to the Director-General of NITDA, Mrs Iklima Musa, described the initiative as both timely and critical in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. She underscored the importance of inclusive digital development, particularly in raising a new generation of female leaders equipped to thrive in the digital economy.

“Technology is growing at an exponential rate,” she said. “It is essential to include girls and women in this growth to ensure sustainable and inclusive innovation.”

Mrs Musa urged the graduating participants to become problem-solvers and innovators, reiterating NITDA’s commitment to achieving 70% digital literacy in Nigeria by 2030 through its Digital Literacy for All programmes.

In her remarks, Hon. Kehinde Charity Awujoola, Special Assistant to the Minister of Youth on Gender Matters, hailed the Foundation’s commitment as a key contribution to nation-building. She emphasised the importance of equipping girls with cutting-edge skills in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, UI/UX Design, Web Development, and Renewable Energy.

She further assured the Foundation of the Ministry’s continued support towards expanding the initiative across all 36 states.

Dr Kolawole Olobashola, Director of the FCT Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation, also highlighted the national importance of digital empowerment for girls. He acknowledged existing barriers such as cultural norms and limited access but emphasised that skills like coding, graphic design, and data analysis are essential for employment in the global digital space.

Supporting this call, Dr Leo Ebenezer, Head of Education at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Chairman of the Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education, pledged the backing of state education commissioners. He also announced plans to integrate digital empowerment for girls into the annual International Day of the Girl Child celebrations nationwide.

Founder of the Lola Cater for the Needy Foundation, Mrs Ololade Ogunnubi, expressed her pride in the achievements of the graduating girls. She revealed that the programme attracted nearly 1,500 applications within 48 hours and offered intensive training in skills such as web development, animation, AI, and robotics.

“These girls are not just completing a programme; they are emerging as tech leaders, innovators, and changemakers,” she stated. “They are our Tech Queens — and the future is already brighter because of them.”

The graduates expressed gratitude to the Foundation, pledging to utilise their newly acquired knowledge for the benefit of their communities.

The 2025 edition of the programme, themed “Tech Queens: Unlocking the Digital Future for Nigerian Girls”, marked the culmination of an intensive technology empowerment effort and included the unveiling of a new book titled “Tech Queens: The Code to the Future.”