The wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, encouraged women to harness technology and digital skills.
She emphasised the transformative potential of tech to give women a level playing field in the digital sphere.
A statement obtained Tuesday noted that Ibijoke made the remarks while representing the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the launch of the South-West Huawei Renewed Hope Initiative Women in Tech Training.
The initiative aims to empower women entrepreneurs with essential tech and digital skills to drive economic growth and development.
During the kick-off event held at the University of Lagos on Monday, Sanwo-Olu said, “The Huawei Women in Tech Digital Training programme is more than just a series of workshops; it is a symbol of the government’s commitment to bridging the gender divide in the digital world.”
She highlighted the importance of equipping women with the tools and knowledge to compete effectively in the technology industry.
She underscored the partnership with HUAWEI and its alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 5, which advocates gender equality and women’s participation in decision-making.
She emphasised the multifaceted benefits of technology, including enhanced efficiency, innovation facilitation, and improved quality of life. Moreover, she noted its role in driving economic growth and addressing global challenges across various sectors.
In March, the United Nations showcased various technological innovations by young women and men that advanced gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria.
The UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong, said the event was part of activities to mark International Women’s Month, with the theme, ‘DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality,’ in Abuja.
Eyong noted the wide gender gap in employment and education in the technological sector in Nigeria, with women making up only 22 per cent of the total engineering and technology university graduates annually.
