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NITDA NWIIT
A cross section of dignitaries during the Nigerian Women in Information Technology 10th National Conference and 11th Annual General Meeting held in Abuja.

In a bold stride toward a more inclusive digital future, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is leading a transformative movement to empower Nigerian women in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and the wider digital economy.

This commitment was passionately reinforced by NITDA’s director-general, Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi during the “Innovate Her 25” conference, which marked 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,” Abdullahi, represented by the director of stakeholder management and partnerships, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, emphasised that genuine innovation thrives through collaboration and collective effort – principles deeply rooted in NITDA’s operational approach.

He highlighted that Nigeria’s national AI Strategy places inclusivity at its core. “Our strategic roadmap mandates that at least 40 per cent of our programmes directly benefit women and underserved groups. We have also developed a dedicated gender inclusion strategy to shape interventions in training, capacity building, and access to digital infrastructure,” he noted.

Demonstrating Nigeria’s leadership in the tech landscape, Abdullahi announced that in September 2025, NITDA will host a landmark Leadership Summit on AI, bringing together stakeholders from across Africa to develop a unified AI vision for the continent.

In keeping with the conference’s goal of empowering women, the DG described NITDA’s broad capacity-building initiatives, covering areas such as AI, cloud computing and cybersecurity. “In collaboration with partners like the Renew Hope Initiative, we have trained thousands of women across all six geopolitical zones,” he shared, emphasising the agency’s nationwide impact.

He also underscored NITDA’s readiness to work closely with organisations like the Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIT), encouraging them to submit tailored proposals for programmes that meet the unique needs of their communities. “We prioritise targeted training with measurable impact, rather than generic interventions,” Abdullahi affirmed. 

He further highlighted the agency’s flagship “Digital Literacy for All Initiative,” which aims to equip 70 per cent of Nigerians with essential digital skills by 2027. Through partnerships with the NYSC and the integration of digital literacy into national curricula, NITDA plans to train over 30 million Nigerians, with special attention to underserved groups and public servants.

Addressing ethical concerns around AI, Abdullahi stressed the need for locally developed datasets and large language models that accurately reflect Nigeria’s cultural and linguistic realities. “We are working closely with relevant stakeholders to build indigenous datasets that uphold digital rights and promote responsible AI use,” he assured the audience.

Abdullahi also pointed to the agency’s commitment to mentorship through initiatives like Women Innovate. He invited NIWIT to collaborate with NITDA to design structured mentorship programmes and offered to formalise such collaborations through memoranda of understanding (MoUs). “NITDA is unwavering in its drive to achieve inclusive economic growth powered by innovation. Partnership and collaboration are the keys to success,” he said.

The conference ended with a strong call to action, urging women-focused groups to leverage NITDA’s open-door policy and actively work together to drive digital inclusion across Nigeria. The future of Nigeria’s digital economy is inclusive – and women stand at its heart.


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