‘Women In Tech Nigeria 2023’ Makeathon Impacts 1,500 Women

In furtherance of its commitment to bridging the gender skills gap, 1,500 girls and women have graduated from the second cohort of ‘Women In Tech Nigeria’s 2023’ Makeathon.

This remarkable achievement marks a significant step towards advancing gender diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry across Nigeria after the first edition which graduated 1,000 beneficiaries.

The VFD Group sponsored Women in Tech Nigeria 2023 Makeathon is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering girls and women to pursue careers in technology-related fields.

Over the course of the 3-month intensive free, capacity building, digital literacy exercise in Product Design, Product Management, Digital Marketing, and Data Analytics, the participants were provided with hands-on training and capacity building lessons to gather the requisite skills and knowledge they need to launch successful careers in tech.

The graduation ceremony, which was held at The Nest Innovation Technology Park, Yaba, Lagos, was a testament to the dedication and hard work of the program’s participants.

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The girls and women, from diverse backgrounds and experiences, demonstrated their commitment to breaking barriers and making a lasting impact in the tech industry.

The Women in Tech Nigeria 2023 Makeathon aligns with global insights that emphasise the importance of diversity in the technology sector.

Commenting, Country Director of Women in Tech Nigeria, Solape Akinpelu, expressed her enthusiasm for the Makeathon’s achievements and the potential it holds for the future.

“The graduation of 1,500 girls and women from the Women in Tech Nigeria 2023 Makeathon is a significant milestone in our mission to bridge the gender gap in technology. The dedication and passion displayed by these graduates are truly inspiring. We believe that they are poised to make a substantial impact in the tech industry and contribute to Nigeria’s technological growth,” she said.

To her, “the tech industry is one of the most important and fastest-growing sectors in the world. We are proud to partner with VFD Group to provide girls and women with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in this exciting field. We are confident that our graduates will make significant contributions to the tech industry and to Nigeria as a whole.

In his remarks, the managing director, VBank, Gbenga Omolokun said: “The Makeathon is part of our goal to increase the participation of women in the tech industry. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, women account for only 28% of the global workforce in tech. In Nigeria, the gender gap in the tech industry is even wider, with women accounting for only 22 per cent of the workforce.

“We committed to sponsoring the Makeathon to close the gender gap in the tech industry by providing girls and women with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. This partnership reflects VFD Group’s dedication to fostering positive change and contributing to creating a more diverse and inclusive tech industry, which will benefit everyone.”

To provide the intensive skills training for the beneficiaries, Women In Tech Nigeria partnered The Nest Incubation Hub, and Girl Code Academy.

Also commenting at the graduation ceremony, a beneficiary of the Makeathon, Dami Ajayi, who got training in Product Management said: “I am extremely happy to have benefited from this intensive 3-month tech capacity building program. I enjoyed the tremendous opportunity to learn new skills, gain experience, and eventually graduate into embarking on a successful career in the tech industry. I am grateful to everyone who played a significant role in making this possible.”