The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering Nigerian women through digital education, aimed at enhancing their competitiveness globally and boosting contributions to the economy.
The announcement was made at the 2nd Women in Digital Empowerment Network (WIDEN), held on Friday at the Old Senate Chamber of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
The Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Rakiya Gambo Ilyasu, represented by Hajiya Amina Yazid Ibrahim, commended the organisers for the initiative.
She said the government would continue to foster an inclusive digital future, where women’s skills are nurtured and their contributions drive innovation.
“Together, we are shaping a more inclusive digital future, one where every woman’s voice is heard, her skills are nurtured, and her contributions drive innovation”
“We have shared powerful stories, exchanged practical tools, and built connections that will amplify each other’s impact across Nigeria’s digital landscape,” she stated.
Professor Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), represented by Dr Angela Irene, noted that the WIDEN project aligns with ongoing NUC reforms to strengthen digital pedagogy, promote inclusive participation, and integrate ICT meaningfully into university administration, teaching, and research.
WIDEN’s Principal Investigator, Professor Ganiyat Adesina-Uthman of NOUN, explained that the British Council awarded £24,220 to Brunel University London for the programme.
More than £13,000 has already been disbursed for the first and second phases, supporting information dissemination and participant engagement.
“Over 200 women have enrolled so far, with nearly 80 actively engaged, surpassing the initial target of 50. Many have developed practical digital solutions, including applications for school monitoring, memo tracking, postgraduate project management, and telemedicine,” she said.
The programme runs from March 2025 to April 2026 and remains free to participants while funded by the British Council. Minimal fees may be introduced in the future to ensure sustainability.
Deputy representatives of NOUN Vice Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Peters, and Nasarawa State University Keffi Vice Chancellor, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, described WIDEN as a transformative initiative promoting inclusion, accessible learning, and gender-responsive digital empowerment, strengthening innovation and supporting women’s participation in technology-driven sectors.
