The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Illmi Children’s Fund (ICF) have provided training to 100 schoolgirls in digital and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills.
Mrs. Maryam Augie-Abdulmumin, Executive Director of ICF, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.
The graduation followed the completion of training for the schoolgirls in ICF and NITDA’s DIGITGALS 2.0 programme, a collaborative initiative aimed at equipping adolescent girls in Abuja with essential digital and ICT skills.
Augie-Abdukmumin stated that DIGITGALS 2.0 focused on fundamental digital literacy, programming, digital marketing, communication skills, and cybersecurity awareness. She added that the girls were empowered with the confidence to compete and excel in a globalized digital economy.
The graduation ceremony took place in commemoration of the 2024 International Girls in ICT Day celebration on April 25.
DIGITGALS 2.0 is currently in its second phase and has empowered 100 senior secondary school girls selected from five government schools in the Federal Capital Territory.
The girls, aged between 15 and 18 years, were equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive in the digital world and meet the growing demand for ICT skills in the 21st century.
Augie-Abdulmumin reiterated the importance of bridging the digital gap in the country, starting with the girl-child.
“This graduation ceremony on International Day of Girls in ICT is a powerful symbol of our commitment to closing the digital gender gap. This program, made possible through our partnership with NITDA, signifies a crucial step towards bridging the digital gender gap. It also fosters a future where women are active leaders in the tech industry. This is an opportunity for these girls to take charge of their own future,” she said.
Mr. Kashifu Abdullahi, the Director-General of NITDA, commended the collaborative efforts of ICF in making DIGITGALS 2.0 a reality. According to him, building a diverse and inclusive digital workforce is critical for Nigeria’s success.
“We are proud to collaborate with ICF on DIGITGALS 2.0 to empower these young women to become active participants in the tech industry,” he said.
“This program showcases the importance of collaborative efforts in bridging the digital gender gap,” he added. “These girls have been equipped with essential digital skills, and ICF and NITDA are confident they will become active contributors to Nigeria’s thriving tech landscape.”
ICF is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children from underprivileged backgrounds through education, healthcare, technology, and entrepreneurship initiatives.
NITDA is a public service institution established in 2007, functioning as the ICT policy implementing arm of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy.