At a time when nations are racing to close the global gender digital divide, Nigeria is quietly but firmly scripting a success story of its own; one built on vision, partnership, and an unwavering commitment to inclusive growth. The Women ICT Training and Empowerment Programme, an initiative of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, stands as a powerful testament to what committed institutions can achieve when the focus is national upliftment.
At the closing ceremony of the 2025 edition of the progamme, listening to the First Lady recount the evolution of this initiative from a modest cohort of 35 women in 2023 to a staggering 607 trained and equipped beneficiaries by 2025, it becomes clear that this is not just another government project. It is a deliberate national mission to democratise access to digital knowledge and strategically position Nigerian women for the future of work.
In just three years, this initiative has expanded with remarkable precision and intentionality. What began in the FCT with 35 pioneering women has blossomed into a nationwide empowerment pipeline spanning the six geo-political zones and the FCT. The 2024 edition alone trained 252 young women who emerged as digital literacy champions, ready to carry the message of digital inclusion back to their communities.
The 2025 phase raised the bar even higher, training 320 women across Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Ondo, and the FCT, with additional stakeholders included. These participants were not merely introduced to technology; they were immersed in intensive sessions that sharpened their skills, strengthened their creativity, and expanded their socio-economic prospects.
This consistency speaks volumes about NITDA’s capacity and RHI’s clear-eyed leadership. Together, they have created a sustainable framework that does not just train participants but inspires them to multiply the impact through mentorship and community engagement.
One of the strongest pillars of this programme is its alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises digitalisation and industrialisation as tools for economic diversification. This is not rhetoric; it is strategy in action.
By empowering women with digital skills, NITDA and RHI are ensuring that the country’s digital transformation is inclusive, equitable, and future-ready. They are nurturing a pool of innovators who will contribute to economic growth, drive entrepreneurship, and expand Nigeria’s digital footprint.
These women are not just beneficiaries; they are emerging leaders in a tech-driven world. They now possess the skills to improve their livelihoods, launch digital enterprises, and mentor countless others. That cascading effect is precisely how nations build resilient, digitally savvy populations.
If governance is measured by impact, then this partnership should be celebrated as a model for other institutions. NITDA has demonstrated technical expertise and execution strength, while the Renewed Hope Initiative brings vision, compassion, and national reach under the leadership of the First Lady. Their synergy proves that when Nigeria’s institutions work together with clarity of purpose, the results are transformative.
Through the provision of laptops, financial support, and hands-on training, the programme addresses three critical barriers that often exclude women from the digital revolution: access, skills, and sustainability. This holistic approach should be applauded.
Perhaps the most inspiring part of this initiative is the determination of the women themselves; women the First Lady described as ambassadors of digital literacy. Their energy, creativity, and passion reflect the limitless potential lying untapped in communities across Nigeria.
These participants are more than statistics. They are mothers, students, entrepreneurs, professionals, and dreamers who now have the power to rewrite their own stories, and influence the futures of others. When they return to their communities, they return not only with knowledge but with the confidence to lead.
Training 607 women in three years is a remarkable milestone, but it must be the foundation, not the summit. Nigeria’s digital economy requires even more deliberate efforts to expand this initiative, deepen investment, and incorporate advanced digital competencies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data analytics. With such an effective model already in place, scaling up is not just possible; it is necessary.
The Women ICT Training and Empowerment Programme is a shining reflection of what can happen when leadership meets vision and commitment meets competence. NITDA and the Renewed Hope Initiative have shown extraordinary dedication to nurturing a generation of digitally empowered women who will undoubtedly shape Nigeria’s socio-economic trajectory.
As the beneficiaries step forward, equipped with new skills and fortified by renewed hope, they carry with them a message that must resonate across the nation: Nigeria rises when her women rise. And thanks to NITDA and RHI, Nigerian women are not just rising; they are leading.
