WIDEN Empowers Nigerian Women In Technology

The WIDEN AI for Sustainable Development project has equipped Nigerian women with digital skills and opportunities to thrive in technology.

The initiative, hosted at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Jabi, Abuja focuses on bridging the gender gap in tech and fostering inclusive digital empowerment across the country.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof Uduma said the institution is Nigeria’s largest and most accessible university.

He emphasised that the principles of openness and opportunity underpin both the institution and the WIDEN initiative. He stressed that education, particularly digital education, should be barrier-free.

“It should not matter who you are, where you live, or what your circumstances may be. If you have the will to learn, a path must be provided,” he stated.

Prof. Ganiyat A. Adesina-Uthman, Principal Investigator, said data collected from nearly a thousand participants revealed a demographic brimming with youthful ambition: nearly 60 per cent are under 24, and over 71 per cent intend to pursue careers in technology.

She said the study also uncovered barriers, including a significant skills gap with over 50 per cent identifying as beginners, the need for inclusive design for the 13.7 per cent living with disabilities, and the impact of family responsibilities and limited opportunities.

The Professor also said WIDEN is not merely about identifying challenges. It is about sparking solutions. Participants developed apps for school connectivity and campus life using platforms such as Llamacoder, and shared social media testimonials demonstrating the power of access, skills, and community.

Prof. Adesina-Uthman further expressed gratitude to the British Council for their foresight and investment, highlighting that WIDEN represents a model that can be scaled nationally.

She called on regulators and policymakers from the NUC and the Ministry of Education to treat the findings as a national asset and a working solution, ensuring that every aspiring Nigerian woman has access to technology and opportunity.