Broadcasting
CADEF Celebrates International Women’s Day 2025: Empowering Women and Girls with Digital Skills for a Brighter Future
As the world marks International Women’s Day 2025, Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF) reaffirms its commitment to bridging the gender digital divide by empowering women and girls with essential digital skills and financial inclusion opportunities. Recognizing the transformative power of digital literacy, CADEF continues to champion initiatives that equip women with the tools they need to thrive in the digital economy.
In 2024, CADEF successfully trained over 100 women and girls in digital skills, enhancing their ability to participate in the rapidly evolving digital space. Women remain underrepresented in the digital economy, with recent data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) indicating that 37% of women worldwide still lack access to the internet, limiting their participation in digital finance and e-commerce opportunities.
In Nigeria, the gender gap in financial inclusion persists, with a 9% disparity between men and women in access to formal financial services, according to the Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA) report.
By addressing these disparities, CADEF aims to build on its success in 2025, scaling its digital training programs to reach even more women and girls. With digital finance playing a critical role in economic empowerment, CADEF is also committed to equipping women and girls with the knowledge and tools to navigate digital financial services effectively.
“Our vision is to create a future where no woman is left behind in the digital revolution,” said Prof. Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, Executive Director of CADEF.
“Through our digital skills and financial literacy programs, we are not only bridging the gender gap but also enabling women to take charge of their financial futures and unlock new economic opportunities.”
As part of its 2025 efforts, CADEF is expanding its reach to underserved communities, ensuring that more women gain the skills necessary to leverage digital platforms for entrepreneurship, career advancement, and financial independence. The organization’s initiatives are aligned with global efforts to promote gender equity in the digital space, reinforcing the theme of International Women’s Day 2025: Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.
Emphasising the commitment of the organization to the empowerment of women and girls, Lovelyn Okafor, Director of Programmes at CADEF said “We remain committed to providing women and girls with the training and resources they need to excel in an increasingly digital world. With every program we implement, we move closer to a more inclusive and empowered society.”
CADEF invites stakeholders, partners, and advocates to join in this mission of empowering women through digital skills and financial inclusion. By working together, we can build a more equitable future where women and girls have equal access to opportunities in the digital economy.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
InsomniaQ Spotlights African Creativity in Lagos
T2 Backs Youth Excellence as NCBC Wins Bosun Tijani Foundation Basketball Tournament
Google Finally Allows Users to Change Gmail Address, Keeps Data and Services Intact
How Moniepoint’s Founders, Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike are Redefining African Tech and Finance
Ecobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period
Nigeria Records Highest Weekly Cyberattacks in Africa — Report
Cyber Tsunami Hits Nigeria as Breaches Surge 1,047%, esentry Q3 Report Reveals
Minister Claims Bandits Exploit Poor Network, Bounce Calls Off Multiple Towers
Financial Sector Faced AI, Blockchain and Organised Crime Threats in 2025 – Report
GenAI Adoption Among African workers Outpace Global Peers
E-Financial2 days agoBanks quietly move to enforce new ₦50 transfer levy from Jan. 1
General News2 days agoEcobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period
News2 days agoHow Moniepoint’s Founders, Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike are Redefining African Tech and Finance
Telecom8 hours agoGoogle Finally Allows Users to Change Gmail Address, Keeps Data and Services Intact
General News7 hours agoT2 Backs Youth Excellence as NCBC Wins Bosun Tijani Foundation Basketball Tournament
News7 hours agoInsomniaQ Spotlights African Creativity in Lagos