The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Nigeria, along with NATVIEW and the World Bank, has announced the completion of a pilot program to develop young women’s digital skills. The program, called “Gina Mata, Gina Al-Umma,” focused on identifying, preparing, and connecting disadvantaged girls and young women with emerging talents in the knowledge economy.
The training program aimed to provide young women with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the digital economy, in line with NITDA’s mission to place Nigeria on the path to attaining 95% digital literacy by 2030. The program trained 200 young women in digital content creation and marketing to train and equip at least 800 girls and young women with digital skills and competencies to be globally competitive in the remote workplace.
The program was designed to address the gender gap in the digital economy, as women are currently underrepresented in the sector. By providing young women with the skills and training they need to succeed in the digital economy, NITDA hopes to create a more inclusive and diverse workforce in the tech industry.
According to the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, “the program is a critical intervention for addressing the skills gap and youth unemployment in Nigeria, and the agency is committed to ensuring that young people are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the digital age.”
The program received funding from the World Bank, which has supported similar initiatives in other countries to promote digital skills development and gender equality in the tech industry.
The successful completion of the pilot program is a significant milestone for NITDA and its partners, and the agency plans to scale up the initiative to reach even more young women in the future. With the rapid growth of the digital economy and the increasing demand for skilled workers in the sector, programs like “Gina Mata, Gina Al-Umma” is crucial for ensuring that all members of society can benefit from the digital age.
The “Gina Mata, Gina Al-Umma” program represents a crucial step towards empowering young women in Nigeria and equipping them with the digital skills needed to succeed in the 21st-century economy. As the world becomes increasingly digital and interconnected, digital literacy is no longer a luxury but a necessity for economic success. However, many girls and young women in Nigeria face significant barriers to digital education and training, including cultural norms, poverty, and lack of access to technology and infrastructure.
By targeting disadvantaged girls and young women, the “Gina Mata, Gina Al-Umma” program addresses these barriers and provides a pathway to success in the digital economy. The program also aligns with Nigeria’s broader efforts to promote digital transformation and bridge the digital divide, which has become even more pressing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Nigeria continues to confront significant challenges, including political instability, insecurity, and economic uncertainty, investing in digital skills and education can provide a path toward a more prosperous and equitable future. The success of the “Gina Mata, Gina Al-Umma” program represents a hopeful sign that Nigeria is on the right path towards achieving its digital literacy goals and empowering the next generation of young women leaders.
