Lawmakers back initiative to bridge gender gap in tech

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen and other lawmakers have expressed their support towards a nationwide expansion of the WeTechHer Initiative, a project of the Lola Cater Foundation aimed at bridging the gender gap in Nigeria’s technology sector through digital literacy, mentorship and storytelling. The initiative, which has already trained over 500 […]

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen and other lawmakers have expressed their support towards a nationwide expansion of the WeTechHer Initiative, a project of the Lola Cater Foundation aimed at bridging the gender gap in Nigeria’s technology sector through digital literacy, mentorship and storytelling.

The initiative, which has already trained over 500 girls across 33 states, received endorsement during separate engagements with the Speaker, represented by the chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara and the chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Bamidele Salam.

Speaking on behalf of the Speaker at a meeting with the foundation’s delegation at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, Ogbara described WeTechHer as “transformative” and pledged legislative support to scale the programme nationwide.

“This programme is not just inspiring, it is transformative. WeTechHer is grooming tomorrow’s innovators and the House is proud to align with that vision,” Ogbara said. 

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She was also decorated as a WeTechHer Ambassador and presented with a copy of Tech Queen: The Code to the Future, a newly launched motivational book tailored for girls aged 8 to 18, which chronicles the journey of young Nigerian girls breaking barriers in tech using relatable names, cities and cultural experiences.

“This is more than a book or training programme; it is a movement to redefine the future for Nigerian girls in tech,” she added.

Similarly, during a courtesy visit to Bamidele Salam by the foundation’s executive director, Ms Ololade Ogunnubi and some beneficiaries of the training programme, lawmakers from Plateau, Kano and other constituencies commended the initiative and pledged bipartisan support to ensure that it reaches girls in every constituency.

Salam, who represents Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo federal constituency of Osun State, expressed admiration for the work of Ms Ogunnubi, recalling his first encounter with her while she was running a free school for 100 displaced children at a displaced persons camp in Abuja. 

He noted that her selfless service earned her national recognition at the 2023 National Children Leadership Conference.

Salam, an early supporter of the Tech Queen book through his non-governmental organisation, CALDEV Africa, was also decorated as a WeTechHer Ambassador and praised for his longstanding advocacy for child and youth development.

“This is an important step in changing the narrative around women and technology in Nigeria. We must address the fact that less than 20 per cent of women are represented in tech. I fully support the scaling of this initiative to reach girls in every part of the country,” Salam said.

Ogunnubi said the initiative aligned with the federal government’s digital economy and girl-child empowerment agenda. 

She said the session combined hybrid (in-person and virtual) training with mentorship to boost girls’ confidence, equip them with digital skills and connect them to tech ecosystems.

“To expand its reach, the foundation is seeking strategic partnership with the House Committees on Women Affairs, Youth Development, Basic Education and Science and Technology, as well as collaboration with ministries, departments and agencies and private-sector stakeholders. Plans are also underway for nationwide distribution of the Tech Queen book through lawmakers’ constituencies and public schools,” she noted.

Ms Ogunnubi expressed appreciation for the lawmakers’ enthusiasm and institutional backing, noting that it would help the foundation “move from hundreds to thousands of empowered girls.”