NITDA targets women’s inclusion in AI and Digital Economy
By Ayoni M. Agbabiaka, Abuja
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reemphasized its commitment towards empowering Nigerian women on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital economy.
Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, stated this in Abuja, at the “Innovate Her 25” conference, the 10th National Conference and 11th Annual Meeting of Nigerian Women in Information Technology.
The DG who was represented by, stressed that true innovation blossoms not in isolation, but through synergistic partnerships and collective endeavor – principles deeply embedded in NITDA’s operational ethos.
“Our strategic roadmap mandates that at least 40% of our programmes directly benefit women and underserved groups. We have also developed a Gender Inclusion Strategy to guide interventions in areas such as training and infrastructure.
“We work with partners such as the Renew Hope Initiative to train thousands of women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. NITDA stands ready to collaborate with organisations like the Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIT), actively encouraging proposals for bespoke programmes that cater to specific community needs. We focus on targeted training with measurable outcomes, rather than generic approaches,” Inuwa said.
The DG at the event themed, “Women in AI: Unlocking Resilience, Fostering Innovation and Leadership,” revealed that NITDA will host a Leadership Summit on AI that will convene stakeholders from across the African continent, fostering a collaborative environment to forge a unified AI vision for Africa in September 2025.
Addressing critical concerns surrounding ethical AI, Inuwa emphasised the importance of developing indigenous datasets and large language models reflective of Nigeria’s unique realities: “We are working closely with stakeholders to build local datasets that safeguard Nigerians’ digital rights and ensure ethical AI use,” he assured.
