Nafisat Bakare, the executive director of Webfala Digital Skills For all Initiative (WDSFAI), says her organisation is determined to bridge the gender gap in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
Bakare stated this on Wednesday during the graduation ceremony for 45 trainees of the organisation’s ‘Keeping Female in STEM’ programme, an initiative aimed at empowering unemployed female graduates with relevant digital skills.
According to her, the graduates received a four-month intensive training in either of software development (backend), cybersecurity or data science in addition to training in soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and branding.
“Following the completion of their training, our fellows sat for professional examinations and thereafter proceeded on a three-month internship at various tech companies in the country, where they further honed their skills,” Bakare said.
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Speaking further, the NGO boss emphasised the importance of empowering young women with digital and STEM-related skills to enable them to compete effectively in the rapidly evolving techology industry, where she said women are underrepresented.
She highlighted the persistent challenges women face in the sector and restated her organisation’s commitment to bridging the gender divide in the tech industry by empowering more females through quality training and mentorship.
“Our mission is to ensure that more women and girls are not only introduced to STEM but also retained in the field, where they can build successful careers. The Keeping Female in STEM programme is designed to provide young women with the necessary digital skills, mentorship, and opportunities to thrive in the tech ecosystem,” Bakare said.
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Bakare further called on stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector players, and educational institutions, to support initiatives aimed at empowering women in technology.
Delivering his keynote address at the event, Kayode Ishola, the special assistant on digital innovations to the Kwara state governor, commended WDSFAI for its role in supporting technology and innovation in the state and Nigeria.
He described STEM as the foundation of modern society and emphasised the need to encourage more women to participate in these fields.
“Increasing female participation in STEM fields will not only bridge the gender gap but also contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth and technological advancement,” Ishola noted.
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He further encouraged the graduates to continually seek professional training and networking opportunities to advance their respective careers.
The highlight of the graduation ceremony was the presentation of projects by the graduating fellows. Divided into different groups, the fellows showcased innovative solutions they developed using the skills acquired during the training.
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