Earlier, Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, praised the First Lady for her leadership and support in advancing digital empowerment for women.
He said the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s broader goals of economic diversification, human capital development and inclusivity.
Abdullahi noted that Nigeria is targeting a 70 per cent digital literacy rate by 2027, and that NITDA, working with the Ministry of Education, is integrating digital literacy into the national curriculum from early childhood to tertiary education.
Several universities, he added, have already adopted digital literacy as a general studies requirement.
He said the women who have been trained have acquired foundational digital skills, including device and software use, data literacy, content creation, digital marketing, online safety, problem-solving, and an understanding of the gig economy.
“You can live in Aba and work remotely for clients in Lagos, Abuja or even outside Nigeria. The future is the gig economy, and knowledge gives you power,” he told the beneficiaries.
The DG reported that between 2023 and 2024, NITDA trained more than 1.1 million Nigerians in various digital skills.
Under the women-focused partnership alone, the DG reported that 607 women have benefited, while in 2025, 510,000 Nigerians, including 10,000 teachers and 32,000 civil servants, have already been trained.
“To truly touch lives, we must prioritise women. When we empower women, we empower families and strengthen communities. Strong communities lead to a more inclusive and prosperous nation,” he said.
In attendance were wives of senior government officials, including the wife of the Deputy Senate President; the wife of the Chief of Staff to the President; several state First Ladies; wives of ministers; and wives of service chiefs, including those of the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the DSS.
