At the Women in Tech Skills Training for Women Entrepreneurs in the South-South Region, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of President Bola Tinubu and National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), urged women to take an active role in Nigeria’s technological evolution. She stressed the importance of equipping women with digital skills to help shape the nation’s future. Speaking through Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, wife of the Rivers State Governor, Senator Tinubu encouraged women to rise above challenges such as underrepresentation and gender bias, advocating for greater leadership and Innovation in the Technology sector.
The event, a collaboration between the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and global tech giant Huawei, aimed to equip women entrepreneurs with the tools to utilise technology in their business operations. Senator Oluremi Tinubu pointed to the success of countries like Germany and France in using technology to drive economic growth. She suggested that Nigeria could achieve similar progress by prioritising mentorship and capacity-building initiatives for women, stressing that intentional efforts to enhance women’s skills would enable them to play a key role in transforming the country’s global standing.
Women’s empowerment is crucial to national development.
Through the RHI’s Women in Tech initiative, over 25 states across four geopolitical zones have benefited from targeted training programs designed to equip women with digital tools. This South-South training marks the fifth batch of the initiative, which aims to expand women’s influence in the tech sector and create opportunities for them to explore international markets. The First Lady described women’s Empowerment as essential to national development, urging participants to harness their potential for societal transformation.
Moreover, Senator Tinubu also called for the formation of stronger support networks among women, emphasising the importance of mentorship and collaboration in amplifying their collective impact. She encouraged participants to actively share their knowledge and experiences with others, creating a ripple effect that could inspire more women to enter the tech space. By fostering these relationships, women could build a robust community of leaders capable of driving change not just in technology but across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. Such networks would also provide women with a platform to exchange innovative ideas, tackle shared challenges, and collectively shape a more inclusive future for Nigeria.
Addressing gender disparities through technology.
Despite increasing female participation in Nigeria’s tech space, significant challenges remain, particularly in rural areas where access to resources and training is limited. Initiatives like RHI’s Women in Tech program aim to bridge this gap by making technology training accessible and practical for women entrepreneurs. These programs focus on providing hands-on training that empowers women to use technology in meaningful ways that directly impact their businesses. Participants gain tools to enhance their businesses, create jobs, and compete in the global economy, contributing to Nigeria’s vision of inclusive growth.
Furthermore, the partnership with Huawei highlights the critical role of private-sector involvement in empowering women and fostering technological advancement. Collaborations like this not only provide women with access to cutting-edge resources and training but also create opportunities for them to integrate into global networks and markets. By aligning with global tech leaders, initiatives like RHI’s Women in Tech can bridge existing gaps in access and representation, enabling more women to participate meaningfully in the digital economy. This collaboration serves as a model for other cross-sector partnerships, showing how collective efforts can drive inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainable progress.
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Concluding the event, Senator Tinubu reiterated her vision for women to lead Nigeria’s technological renaissance. She called on women to embrace collaboration, innovation and resilience as they chart new paths in technology and business. By overcoming barriers and leveraging mentorship opportunities, Nigerian women can become global leaders in tech, rewriting the nation’s narrative on the world stage. Through initiatives like RHI’s Women in Tech, a future where women play a central role in shaping Nigeria’s technological and economic progress is within reach.