The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has encouraged girls and women with relevant technological abilities to harness their potential by upscaling their skills in order to close the digital gender gap in the country.
Inuwa who was represented by the Deputy Director, Digital Economy Department, Dr. Amina Sambo, gave the advise at the 10th Year Anniversary of the Nigeria Women in Information Technology, (NIWIIT) National Conference in Lagos, South-West , Nigeria, with the theme “Unleashing Innovation: Scaling Up Digital Skills for Women and Girls.”
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), @KashifuInuwa has encouraged girls and women with relevant technological abilities to harness their potential by upscaling their skills in order to close the digital gender gap in the country. pic.twitter.com/CkioYWUDOy
— NITDA Nigeria (@NITDANigeria) June 23, 2022
He noted that bringing women to speed in the Nation’s digital economy journey is critical to the country’s long-term prosperity.
“Women and girls account for more than 50% of our population. At this age, building the digital skills of this population is one of the most strategic and wisest things any Government could embark on to unleash innovation in entrepreneurship and other frontiers for social and economic growth,” He said
Inuwa while commending the organizers for bringing the digital gender divide concerns to the front burner at it’s 7th National Conference, was optimistic that the panel discussion sessions will give great insights into creative approaches toward building the digital skills of the women in the most impactful manner.
He stressed that the ongoing efforts will not only help the country to prepare girls and women for future opportunities but also for global competitiveness.
Inuwa who made reference to the African Developer Ecosystem report, quoted that “Female career growth was heavily impacted as childcare and home responsibilities increased during COVID-19 lockdown.’’
The Director-General observed that, “These realities remain more dominant in the developing countries of the world. While women in first-world countries also deal with problems of career resilience, their counterparts in poorer countries have the other hurdles of poverty, poor healthcare, and low standard of living, to deal with on a daily basis, thereby depriving them of a conducive environment to develop their potential,“ Inuwa explained .
The NITDA Boss however expressed confidence in the possibility of changing the narrative with the growth in digital technology penetration and consumption in Nigeria; stressing that to fully harness the opportunities that abound, however requires reorientation, contemporary training in digital literacy and skills, and training that will equip women and girls to participate in the ever-growing global digital economy.
The President of the Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIIT), Dele Bayo-Osibo while asserting that inclusion is the currency of the moment, in general, and digital inclusion in particular, affirmed that the urgency to be included in the moving train cannot be overemphasized and must be intentional.
“NIWIIT must take on the baton and contribute her quota to this clarion opportunity for building the Nation of the future,“ she added.
