Society must actively foster environments where young girls can participate in the growth, development, and application of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) to effectively bridge the persistent gender disparity in tech careers, reports ITREALMS.
This message resonated strongly at the recently concluded International Girls in ICT Day event, organized by eBusiness Life Communication Limited in Lagos. Centered around the theme “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future,” the gathering served as a strategic platform designed to inspire, mentor, and equip young women to claim their space in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
Welcoming guests and participants, the Convener and Chief Executive Officer of eBusiness Life Communication Limited, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro, underscored the transformative potential of women in technology. She issued an urgent call to action to dismantle the systemic barriers that continue to limit female participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Highlighting the widening global ICT skills deficit, Emuophedaro emphasized that equipping young girls with digital competencies is fundamental to driving socio-economic development, fostering innovation, and ensuring inclusive national growth. She noted with pride how the annual celebration has evolved into a powerful catalyst for encouraging young women to pursue careers in technology and digital innovation.
“Today, we challenge that narrative,” Emuophedaro declared. “We stand united to break down barriers, defy stereotypes, and pave the way for a future where every girl, regardless of background or circumstance, feels empowered to pursue her passion for technology.”
She stressed the importance of granting young women equal access to leadership training, academic scholarships, career development opportunities, and professional fellowships, while simultaneously confronting deep-rooted gender biases. Citing data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), she revealed that the global ICT sector could face a deficit of over two million jobs within the next five years. Consequently, girls who master coding, application development, and computer science will gain a significant competitive edge across virtually every modern profession.
Expanding on the event’s theme, Emuophedaro described the gathering as a movement rather than a routine conference. She reminded participants that as Artificial Intelligence fundamentally alters learning, healthcare, agriculture, and business globally, young women must not settle for being passive consumers. Instead, they must step up as inventors, programmers, researchers, and entrepreneurs building the future.
A major highlight of the conference was an interactive student panel that provided real-world perspectives on how the younger generation interacts with emerging technologies. Participating students highlighted generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Meta AI as vital assets for learning, creative output, and problem-solving, while cautioning against excessive reliance on automated systems.
During these discussions, students pointed out the everyday hurdles they encounter, including inadequate access to digital tools, limited funding, and societal expectations that discourage girls from entering technical fields. To overcome these barriers, the panelists advocated for structured mentorship programs, stronger parental encouragement, and the thoughtful integration of AI concepts into basic school curricula.
Reinforcing this message, a dedicated panel of women leaders in the ICT sector demonstrated that technology careers remain accessible regardless of an individual's academic starting point or socio-economic background. The session highlighted high-demand disciplines such as cybersecurity, data science, data analytics, UI/UX design, and cloud networking. Panelists encouraged students to view AI as an empowering tool rather than a career threat, urging them to build strong foundations in mathematics, logical reasoning, and continuous learning.
The event climaxed with an exhibition where participating schools displayed practical, AI-driven solutions targeting real-world Nigerian challenges. Among the creative projects showcased were an Emergency Distress Application, a GSM-integrated Flood Detection System, AI-powered Study Cards, a Waste Intelligence Nexus, a Smart Irrigation System, and the EDUVERSE AI educational platform. These inventions clearly demonstrated the immense capacity of young girls to solve critical problems spanning security, education, agriculture, and environmental management when given the right opportunities.
The conference concluded with spirited academic contests. In the hands-on AI technology competition, Faith Academy, Ota, clinched the top position, with Reagan Memorial Baptist Girls College, Yaba, and Peaklane International College, Akute, securing second and third places, respectively. Meanwhile, in the ICT Quiz competition, Reagan Memorial Baptist Girls College, Yaba, emerged overall winner, while Baptist Girls Academy, Lagos, and Triple Crown Academy, Ketu, finished as first and second runners-up.
Welcoming guests and participants, the Convener and Chief Executive Officer of eBusiness Life Communication Limited, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro, underscored the transformative potential of women in technology. She issued an urgent call to action to dismantle the systemic barriers that continue to limit female participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Highlighting the widening global ICT skills deficit, Emuophedaro emphasized that equipping young girls with digital competencies is fundamental to driving socio-economic development, fostering innovation, and ensuring inclusive national growth. She noted with pride how the annual celebration has evolved into a powerful catalyst for encouraging young women to pursue careers in technology and digital innovation.
“Today, we challenge that narrative,” Emuophedaro declared. “We stand united to break down barriers, defy stereotypes, and pave the way for a future where every girl, regardless of background or circumstance, feels empowered to pursue her passion for technology.”
She stressed the importance of granting young women equal access to leadership training, academic scholarships, career development opportunities, and professional fellowships, while simultaneously confronting deep-rooted gender biases. Citing data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), she revealed that the global ICT sector could face a deficit of over two million jobs within the next five years. Consequently, girls who master coding, application development, and computer science will gain a significant competitive edge across virtually every modern profession.
Expanding on the event’s theme, Emuophedaro described the gathering as a movement rather than a routine conference. She reminded participants that as Artificial Intelligence fundamentally alters learning, healthcare, agriculture, and business globally, young women must not settle for being passive consumers. Instead, they must step up as inventors, programmers, researchers, and entrepreneurs building the future.
A major highlight of the conference was an interactive student panel that provided real-world perspectives on how the younger generation interacts with emerging technologies. Participating students highlighted generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Meta AI as vital assets for learning, creative output, and problem-solving, while cautioning against excessive reliance on automated systems.
During these discussions, students pointed out the everyday hurdles they encounter, including inadequate access to digital tools, limited funding, and societal expectations that discourage girls from entering technical fields. To overcome these barriers, the panelists advocated for structured mentorship programs, stronger parental encouragement, and the thoughtful integration of AI concepts into basic school curricula.
Reinforcing this message, a dedicated panel of women leaders in the ICT sector demonstrated that technology careers remain accessible regardless of an individual's academic starting point or socio-economic background. The session highlighted high-demand disciplines such as cybersecurity, data science, data analytics, UI/UX design, and cloud networking. Panelists encouraged students to view AI as an empowering tool rather than a career threat, urging them to build strong foundations in mathematics, logical reasoning, and continuous learning.
The event climaxed with an exhibition where participating schools displayed practical, AI-driven solutions targeting real-world Nigerian challenges. Among the creative projects showcased were an Emergency Distress Application, a GSM-integrated Flood Detection System, AI-powered Study Cards, a Waste Intelligence Nexus, a Smart Irrigation System, and the EDUVERSE AI educational platform. These inventions clearly demonstrated the immense capacity of young girls to solve critical problems spanning security, education, agriculture, and environmental management when given the right opportunities.
The conference concluded with spirited academic contests. In the hands-on AI technology competition, Faith Academy, Ota, clinched the top position, with Reagan Memorial Baptist Girls College, Yaba, and Peaklane International College, Akute, securing second and third places, respectively. Meanwhile, in the ICT Quiz competition, Reagan Memorial Baptist Girls College, Yaba, emerged overall winner, while Baptist Girls Academy, Lagos, and Triple Crown Academy, Ketu, finished as first and second runners-up.
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