Girls in ICT Day: Stakeholders Push for Greater Female Participation in AI

Girls in ICT Day: Stakeholders Push for Greater Female Participation in AI

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

Stakeholders across Nigeria’s technology ecosystem have renewed calls for deliberate policies and investments to boost female participation in artificial intelligence and the broader ICT space, warning that women remain on the margins of a rapidly evolving digital economy.

The appeal was made on Thursday in Abuja at the 2026 edition of Girls in ICT Day, organised by the Digital Bridge Institute under the theme “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future.”

The gathering drew policymakers, industry players, educators and students, all focused on expanding opportunities for girls in science, technology and innovation.

Speaking on behalf of the institute’s President/CEO, David Daser, the Director of Special Duties, Viola Askia-Usoro, said Nigeria must move beyond advocacy and commit real resources to support girls in technology.

He stressed the need for targeted funding, safer digital environments and intentional recruitment of young women into artificial intelligence and telecommunications roles.

According to him, girls should not only engage as end users of technology but must be empowered to design, build and lead innovations shaping the future. He added that the institute is scaling up training in coding, data science, AI ethics and telecoms engineering to widen access for female participants.

Daser also highlighted the importance of long-term support structures, noting that mentorship, industry collaboration and sustained capacity building are essential to help women progress beyond entry-level roles into leadership positions.

Referencing pioneers such as Ada Lovelace, Hedy Lamarr and Shirley Ann Jackson, alongside Nigerian tech leader Omobola Johnson, he noted that women have historically played key roles in technological advancement and should not be sidelined in the AI era.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of HerCode Technology Initiative, Oluchi Ada Ufomadu, described artificial intelligence as a pathway to economic empowerment for girls and young women.

She observed that increased access to digital tools and AI-driven platforms has lowered barriers to entry, making it easier for more girls to explore fields such as cloud computing and AI engineering.

Ufomadu, however, pointed out that women account for only about 20 per cent of the global AI and technology workforce, a gap she said requires urgent and coordinated intervention.

She argued that improving female representation would not only advance inclusion but also enhance innovation by introducing diverse perspectives into technology design and deployment.

On concerns about misuse of artificial intelligence, she underscored the importance of ethical training, noting that outcomes depend largely on those who deploy the tools.

“AI is a tool. The person behind the tool determines how it is used,” she said, adding that proper knowledge would enable its application for social and economic good.

Participants also shared personal experiences on the impact of digital tools. One of them, Deborah Onu, said AI-powered resources have improved her academic performance by aiding comprehension and independent research.

There was a consensus among speakers that closing the gender gap in technology would require joint action from government, private sector players and educators to ensure that girls have equal access to digital skills and opportunities.

The annual Girls in ICT Day, led globally by the International Telecommunication Union, aims to inspire girls and young women to pursue careers in ICT and related digital fields.