First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on Nigerian women to use technology as a tool for innovation and national development, emphasizing that when women are empowered with the right tools and knowledge, they become agents of change in their families, communities, and the nation.
She made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI)/Huawei Women in Tech Training Programme, where 300 women from the six geopolitical zones successfully completed intensive digital empowerment training.
According to the First Lady, the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to promote inclusive growth and economic diversification through industrialisation and digitisation. “This training programme equips female entrepreneurs with practical technological skills to scale up their businesses and become champions of digital transformation in their communities,” she said.
Mrs. Tinubu urged participants to keep learning and adapting to new technologies, noting that “true innovation is only valuable when it improves lives.” She encouraged them to apply their new skills to solving community challenges and to support one another as a growing network of female digital entrepreneurs.
READ ALSO: Edun: Nigeria’s Economy Rebounds, Reforms Boost Investor Confidence
She also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to bridging Nigeria’s digital gap, saying, “The administration will continue to meet the technology and economic needs of our over 250 million citizens, especially with the support of corporate partners like Huawei.”
Expressing appreciation to Huawei Technologies Company Limited for its collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative, the First Lady congratulated all participants, including those drawn from agriculture, fashion, catering, retail, event management, and technology sectors. She charged them to “mentor young girls and women who think technology is not for them.”
In his remarks, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, commended the initiative, describing ICT as “the new way of doing things globally,” and stressing that Nigeria must not be left behind.
Huawei Nigeria’s Managing Director, Mr. Chris Lou, thanked the First Lady for the opportunity to contribute to the empowerment of Nigerian women, describing it as an investment in the nation’s future.
Of the 300 women trained, 24 were recognised as outstanding participants and received special awards. Certificates of participation were presented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, the Wife of the Deputy Senate President, Hajia Laila Barau, and the Wife of the Kwara State Governor, Ambassador Dr. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, among others.
The event, held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, was attended by wives of state governors, National Assembly members, and heads of security agencies, underscoring national support for women’s digital inclusion and empowerment.