Inuwa launches ONDI’s Female Founders Training, stresses digital job creation, networking for womenfolk

*Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, explains the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation’s initiative is aimed at supporting and empowering women to leverage digital technologies in building viable, scalable businesses in the economy

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says promoting and supporting digital job creation for Nigerian women is a crucial step towards fostering inclusivity and bridge the technology gender gap in the country.

ConsumerConnect reports Malam Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, stated this at the opening ceremony of the Female Founder Training, organised by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), a subsidiary of the agency, in Abuja, FCT.

Inuwa, represented at the programme by Dr. Amina Magaji-Sambo, Acting Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building Department of NITDA, noted that the initiative is aimed at supporting and empowering women in Nigeria to leverage digital technologies for building viable and scalable businesses.

The NITDA Chief stated: “This training programme is dedicated to discovering and highlighting innovative and technology-based concepts, ideas and solutions created by women in Nigeria.

“The goal is to bridge gender disparities in the technological industry and encourage the creation of digital employment opportunities for women.”

Inuwa equally noted:
“Within just two weeks, the call for the Female Founders Training resonated across the country, eliciting an extraordinary response of 7,151 applications from the 36 states; this shows the overwhelming interest that underscores the untapped potential and enthusiasm that exists among our women in the field of technology.

“The response to our call was amazing, and participants underwent a meticulous three-stage selection process to ensure the best fit for the programme.

“At the end of this rigorous process, I’m proud to announce that 12 successful candidates emerged, and they are strategically chosen to represent each of the 6 geopolitical zones.”

He further disclosed the mission encompasses identifying and showcasing innovative tech-based ideas and solutions developed by Nigerian females.

The Director-General also disclosed “we aim to promote and support these tech-based ventures founded by women which would enable the closure of gender gaps that exists in the tech ecosystem.”

Objectives of ONDI’s Female Founder Training programme: Ag. National Coordinator

Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Yakubu Musa, Acting National Coordinator of ONDI, had affirmed the support for women’s inclusion in the technology ecosystem is to bridge the gap.

While acknowledging that females are changing the narrative with a keen interest in innovative businesses that will change and shape their lives, Musa said, “this will pave way for women’s advancement in the tech ecosystem.”

The Acting National Coordinator of ONDI noted that the objectives of the programme are rooted in empowerment, diversity, growth and network building to equip aspiring female entrepreneurs with not just knowledge but the practical skills and resources needed for building and nurturing start-ups through series of workshops, mentoring sessions, and networking opportunities.

He also stated that business growth is not a mere goal, it is a commitment to guiding start-ups.

Musa declared “we aim not just for sustainability and profitability, but for the creation of opportunities that ripple through communities leading to the creation of jobs and empowerment.”

According to him, ONDI is ready to forge a network alliance of entrepreneurs, mentors and investors, a relationship that will fuel innovation and access to essential resources to build a community of tech experts for the advancement of the country.