The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is spearheading a transformative initiative to empower Nigerian women in the digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI), marking a pivotal stride toward a more inclusive digital future.
NITDA backs inclusive tech for special needs
This commitment was reaffirmed by NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, during the “Innovate Her 25″ conference the 10th National Conference and 11th Annual Meeting of Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIT). Represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Inuwa emphasized that innovation thrives not in isolation, but through strategic partnerships and collective effort principles deeply embedded in NITDA’s operational philosophy.
Citing Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, Inuwa highlighted inclusivity as a central goal: “Our roadmap mandates that at least 40% of our initiatives directly support women and underserved populations. We’ve also introduced a Gender Inclusion Strategy to guide interventions in areas like training and digital infrastructure.”
Underscoring Nigeria’s growing influence in the digital space, he announced that NITDA will host a landmark Leadership Summit on AI in September 2025. This pan-African gathering will bring together stakeholders to collaboratively shape a unified AI agenda for the continent.
Aligned with the conference’s theme “Women in AI: Unlocking Resilience, Fostering Innovation and Leadership” Inuwa outlined NITDA’s wide-ranging capacity-building efforts in AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. He noted collaborations with partners such as the Renewed Hope Initiative, through which thousands of women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones have been trained.
NITDA, he added, is keen to work with organizations like NIWIT and welcomes tailored proposals that address specific community needs. “We prioritize focused training with measurable outcomes over one-size-fits-all solutions,” he said, underscoring the agency’s results-driven approach.
Inuwa also spotlighted NITDA’s ambitious “Digital Literacy for All” initiative, which aims to equip 70% of Nigerians with digital skills by 2027. Through partnerships with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the integration of digital literacy into school curricula, over 30 million Nigerians particularly from underserved communities and public service are expected to benefit.
Addressing the ethical dimensions of AI, Inuwa stressed the importance of developing indigenous datasets and large language models that reflect Nigeria’s diverse realities. “We’re working with stakeholders to ensure digital rights are protected and AI technologies are ethically grounded,” he assured.
NITDA is also advancing mentorship opportunities for women in tech through initiatives like Women Innovate. The agency is open to formal partnerships with NIWIT to create structured mentorship programs and is ready to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to that effect. “Inclusive growth through innovation is our mission and collaboration is the path forward,” Inuwa concluded.
The event ended with a rallying call for women-led organizations to tap into NITDA’s open-door policy and collaborate in driving digital inclusion nationwide. Nigeria’s digital future is inclusive and women are leading the charge.