Nigeria’s drive for inclusive digital transformation gained renewed momentum in Abuja as leaders united in a shared call to empower spouses of Members of the House of Representatives.
The two day digital literacy and capacity building training aims to strengthen them with digital knowledge to translate President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda technological inclusion for measurable social impact across legislative constituencies nationwide.
Speaking at the training, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Iman Sulaiman-Ibrahim called for strengthened digital inclusion, gender-responsive budgeting, and family-centred social reforms.
The Minister described the convergence as timely and strategic, commending the House of Representatives Spouses Association (HORSA) under the leadership of Hajiya Fatima Abbas Tajudeen for what she termed a forward-looking intervention.
Digital Literacy in Modern Governance
Sulaiman-Ibrahim underscored the urgency of digital literacy in modern governance.
“This programme, designed to strengthen digital competence, enhance leadership capacity, and promote socio-economic empowerment among wives of Honourable Members, who are also women Leaders speaks directly to our national priorities.
“It recognises that digital literacy is no longer optional; it is foundational to effective leadership, inclusive governance, and sustainable development in today’s rapidly evolving world,” she explained.
The Minister linked the training to President Tinubu’s declaration of 2026 as the Year of Family and Social Development, describing it as “A bold and visionary step that places the Nigerian family at the centre of our development architecture.”
According to her, “Strong families are the bedrock of strong societies.”
She further highlighted the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention (RHSII-774), which she said is designed to deliver measurable outcomes across all 774 Local Government Areas through skills acquisition, digital empowerment, women’s economic inclusion, and child protection.
The Minister urged participants to become champions of inclusion within their constituencies and legislative environments, advocate improved domestic budgetary allocations for women-focused programmes, support efforts to address Gender-Based Violence, and back the Reserved Special Seats initiative to guarantee increased constitutional representation for women.
“Women’s voices must be present where laws are made and budgets are approved,” she added.
In her remarks, Hajiya Fatima Abbas Tajudeen, Wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chief Convener, described the workshop as historic.
“This workshop, with its clear and timely theme, Empowering Women for the Digital Future: Leadership, Wellbeing and Opportunity, is not just another event on our calendar.
“It is the first time such a comprehensive capacity-building programme is being organised by the 10th Assembly for spouses of Honourable Members,” she said.
She stressed the importance of digital and financial literacy, cyber protection, and mental health resilience, noting that, “We cannot afford to be passive users of technology.”
Also speaking, Managing Director of the South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, described digital skills as the currency of modern relevance.
“National empowerment must therefore be anchored on three pillars: Digital literacy for all. Skills-to-income pathways. Strategic partnerships between federal institutions, regional bodies, and community leaders,” she said.
National Empowerment
Outlining a clear pathway, she stated that national empowerment must therefore be anchored on three pillars: Digital literacy for all. Skills-to-income pathways. Strategic partnerships between federal institutions, regional bodies, and community leaders.
Akpabio reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to scaling ICT and CBT infrastructure, expanding access to digital tools, and ensuring inclusive participation, particularly for women and youths, insisting that Nigeria’s future will not be defined by oil wells alone, it will be defined by knowledge wells.
The training with the theme, “Empowering Women For Digital Future: Leadership, Wellbeing and Opportunity,” was organised by the House of Representatives Spouses Association in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency, to promote inclusive digital growth and strengthen members capacity on Technology and Leadership.