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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is intensifying its commitment to empowering women in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the digital economy. This strategic move to accelerate gender inclusion in Nigeria’s digital transformation was affirmed by NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi. He spoke during the “Innovate Her ’25” conference—the 10th National Conference and 11th Annual Meeting of the Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIT).
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Sustainable innovation thrives through strategic collaboration—an approach that guides NITDA’s inclusive digital development agenda. Abdullahi who was represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, said at the event,
Tech inclusivity for women as a core NITDA’s pillar
Highlighting Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, Abdullahi noted that inclusivity is a core NITDA’s pillar. The AI Strategy mandates ensuring at least 40% of NITDA programmes directly benefit women and underserved populations. He also revealed the agency’s Gender Inclusion Strategy, which steers its interventions in training, infrastructure, and digital access for women.
In a major announcement, Abdullahi disclosed that Nigeria will host the Africa Leadership Summit on AI in September 2025, The event is expected to convene stakeholders across the continent to build a unified AI vision for Africa, It will also promote ethical, data-driven innovation.
NITDA’s ongoing capacity-building initiatives in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and digital literacy were spotlighted, with the Abdullahi revealing that thousands of women are being trained through partnerships like the Renewed Hope Initiative across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
“We prioritize targeted, impact-driven training, not generic programmes,” Abdullahi stated, inviting NIWIT and other women-led tech organisations to propose tailored initiatives aligned with local needs.
NITDA’s ambitious Digital Literacy for All Initiative
He further elaborated on NITDA’s ambitious Digital Literacy for All Initiative, which aims to train over 30 million Nigerians by 2027, with a particular focus on public servants, youth corps members, and underserved communities. “Our goal is to ensure 70% digital literacy across Nigeria,” he affirmed.
Addressing ethical concerns in AI development, Abdullahi stressed the need for indigenous datasets and language models reflective of Nigeria’s cultural and linguistic diversity. “We are working with partners to build responsible AI systems that protect digital rights and promote fairness,” he said.
As part of its gender equity efforts, NITDA is also expanding mentorship for women through initiatives like Women Innovate and is open to formalizing partnerships with NIWIT via Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to support structured, long-term collaboration.
The event ended with a resounding call for women-led organizations to engage with NITDA’s open-door policy and co-create solutions that promote inclusive economic growth and digital equity.
