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Keri, Emuophedaro Advocate for More Female ICT Professionals in Sector
Yemi Keri, managing director, Edo State ICT Agency and Ufuoma Emuophedaro, editor-in-chief and convener, Girls in ICT (Nigeria), joined Dr. Omobola Johnson, minister of Communication Technology and other leading voices in canvassing for more female information communication technology (ICT) professionals participation in developing the industry.
Every year on the fourth Thursday in April, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the global technology community celebrate ‘Girls in ICT Day’, an awareness-raising initiative designed to promote tech careers and studies to a new generation of girls and young women.
International Girls in ICT Day is an opportunity for girls and young women to get an insight into ICT sector to consider ICT careers through open days at ICT institutions, meeting women role models, and even getting “hands on” experience in technology
At the fourth edition of the event organised by e-Business Life Communication Limited in Nigeria sponsored by MTN, MainOne, Vodacom, Huawei, Phase3 Telecoms, Smile Communications, successful women in ICT like Lynda Saint Nwafor, CTO, MTN Nigeria, Obafunke Atanda, senior manager, Product Portfolio, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Atsagbaede Joyce, CEO, Austangel Nigeria Ltd., while Dr. Omobola Johnson, minister of Communication Technology was represented by Efem Nkanga, her special (media) adviser, were on ground to inspire girls from both public and private schools in Lagos.
Dr. (Mrs.) Omobola Johnson, minister of Communication Technology, called for the removal of barriers before women and girls in embracing Information Communication Technology (ICT).
Johnson said she strongly believes that ICT is an enabler with the significant potential to transform the lives of women and girls.
The Minister who was represented by her Special (Media) Adviser, Mrs. Efem Nkanga, described ICTs as powerful transformative tools that foster development and advancement of developing and advanced economies.
According to her, it is not just a useful tool for bridging the digital divide, but also a tool for enabling inclusive development at all levels.
While addressing the participants, Keri reminded them that the event to encourage the girls to be discreet in choosing careers in ICT hence the industry drives other sectors of the global economy, adding that government must not relent in leading courses that will spur women interests in the sector.
She said, “Apart from enlightening the participants on the why they should make career choices based on ICT related field, ICT remains the hope of the world economy; there, you will make money, create jobs, develop application to save human lives, the environment and add value in every facet of human existence”.
To other who have chosen career in fields outside ICT, Keri noted that “No matter whatever career you found yourself, technology is already playing key role there. If you are to select electives to complete your subjects, do not shy away from ICT related ones. If you look around the world today, the level of interactions, information shared in today’s world is powered by the ICT”.
She reminded the girls that they have capabilities to surpass the achievements of current leading women in ICT as technology is evolving daily.
On her part, Ufuoma Emuophedaro, editor-in-chief and convener, Girls in ICT (Nigeria), said it was regrettable researching findings which showed that “in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, female students now account for fewer than 20% of tertiary ICT enrolments, down from nearly 40% back in the 1980s, when computer science courses first appeared on university curricula. Only around 3% of total female graduates study ICT fields, compared with around 10% of male graduates”.
Emuophedaro said that the academic gender gap is reflected in the number of female ICT professionals, now estimated at just 20% across the OECD.
“In Europe, only 9% of app developers are female, only 19% of European ICT managers are women (compared with 45% women managers in other service sectors), and only 19% of ICT entrepreneurs are women (compared with 54% women in other service sectors), according to figures released by the European Commission”.
She said that with strong backing from the tech sector and national governments, ‘Girls in ICT Day’ has rapidly grown into a global movement, with an estimated 3,500 events organized in over 140 countries, reaching 111,000 girls, since the event became a fixture on the UN calendar five years ago.
ITU expects events in even more countries, reaching even more girls, this year, and will post information about activities around the world on its Girls in ICT Portal.
“ICTs are an exciting and rapidly-growing field, offering interesting, important and well-paid job opportunities,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. “A career in ICT allows girls to use their creativity, work in international environments, and participate in shaping our future. With 95% of all jobs now having a digital component, digital skills are no longer just an advantage, they’re essential.”
“At ITU headquarters, Emuophedaro confirmed, “Girls in ICT Day celebrations are this year focused around an event for around 115 Geneva school girls, along with a High-Level Panel debate featuring guest speakers including Maria Klawe of Harvey Mudd College in the US, which has achieved exceptional results in increasing female enrolment in tech studies (intervention by video), Telle Whitney, President & CEO of the Anita Borg Institute, and Judith Owigar, co-founder & President of AkiraChix in Kenya”.
In addition, five special guest schoolgirls, sponsored by the US Mission (Geneva) and YWCA, and representing Chile, Myanmar, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea and South Africa, will be joining local schoolgirls for the day’s activities.
Key partners this year include the Novartis Foundation (Principal Sponsor), Lego Education (Content Partner), and the governments of Finland, Poland and the United States.
ITU Regional Offices around the world are also actively promoting Girls in ICT Day 2015, organizing events, partnering with other UN agencies, supporting organizers in their respective regions and hosting competitions.
Cisco, a major backer of Girls in ICT Day, is organizing events in more than 50 countries, aiming to reach over 3,000 girls, while Microsoft, a long-time advocate of ICT training through its DigiGirlz programme, is launching its annual Pink Cloud girls in ICT event on April 23rd as part of Milan’s World Expo. In ITU’s home country of Switzerland, ICT regulator OFCOM is organizing its first event at its headquarters in Biel-Bienne, also on April 23rd.
“I invite national governments to consider integrating basic coding skills into their national education curricula, alongside basics like reading, writing and arithmetic,” said Brahima Sanou, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, which organizes the annual event. “Girls and young women who learn coding, apps development and computer science will have powerful tools at their disposal to drive economic prosperity for themselves, and overall socio-economic development for their communities.”
Tony Elumelu, chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Heirs Holdings, has called on Africa to avow itself in the fast-evolving global technology landscape, calling for deeper partnerships, infrastructure investments, and recognition of the continent’s digital potential.
Tony Elumelu, chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Heirs Holdings,
Elumelu, who made this statement in a series of posts on his verified X handle over the weekend, questioned the continent’s current role in global tech innovation and value creation, noting that while technology is transforming the world, Africa risks being sidelined without urgent strategic action.
“We know technology is transforming our world, and the pace of transformation is accelerating. Where is Africa? Are we in the conversation, or are we being left behind?” Elumelu asked.
Citing Africa’s youthful, entrepreneurial, and digitally native population, Elumelu stressed the need for stronger global partnerships that empower African startups and tech developers to not only serve local markets but compete globally.
“Young Africans are digitally native, entrepreneurial, and hungry to build. What we need are more opportunities for partnership, more belief in our potential, and platforms to amplify our voices.
“Africa has led in digital banking and payments. Our value chains are ripe for transformation. Yet we need more investment, more platforms, and more belief in our potential.
“We know that many of the minerals that are techs’ foundation are found in Africa. But is Africa getting the benefit? Africa needs to capture the moment – ensure we have digital sovereignty – that African priorities are understood and met”
The UBA Chairman revealed that he attended an exclusive dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and global technology executives at the Élysée Palace in Paris, where he sought to amplify Africa’s voice at the highest level of innovation discourse.
“I had enriching conversations with global tech CEOs, including the CEO of NVIDIA, Jensen Huang, on how innovation can and must solve humanity’s most urgent challenges—including those facing Africa,” he said.
Elumelu used the opportunity to advocate for the continent as the next frontier of global tech investment, calling attention to Africa’s unique demographics and the imperative for inclusive innovation.
Speaking further he said through his investment company, Heirs Holdings, remains committed to Africa’s digital transformation, actively backing tech ventures such as Heirs Technologies and Redtech Limited, which are building solutions tailored for the African market while competing on a global scale.
National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has called on African businesses to seize the opportunities emerging within the rapidly growing global space economy, which is projected to reach one trillion dollars annually by 2030.
The appeal was made by Dr Matthew Adepoju, director-general, NASRDA, during a press briefing at the weekend in advance of the second Africa Space Economy Conference and Exhibition (ASEC 2025), scheduled to take place in Abuja from 17 to 19 June.
The event, organised in collaboration with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), will focus on the theme “Space Economy and Emerging Markets in Africa”.
Dr Adepoju highlighted that the global space economy is on the verge of surpassing $500 billion per year, making it the fastest-growing economic sector worldwide.
He stressed that Africa must position itself at the forefront of innovation, science, and technology by investing in space-related ventures.
“This is the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Africa must not be left behind.
“It is time for us to take our rightful place at the forefront of global innovation, science and technology, with space technology being the pinnacle of human endeavour.
“The space economy is the fastest growing economic sector in the world and it is projected to hit one trillion dollars per annum. Currently it’s more than 500 billion dollars annually,” he said.
The conference aims to foster collaboration between industry leaders, academic institutions, and research organisations, all working to strengthen Nigeria’s space ecosystem.
Dr Adepoju praised President Bola Tinubu for his forward-thinking economic initiatives, noting the President’s directive to transform NASRDA into a revenue-generating body.
NASRDA, he said, is now committed to fully commercialising and industrialising space research. The upcoming conference is expected to attract international participants, with confirmed interest from countries such as China, the United States, and several European and African nations.
The agency is also preparing for the launch of four new satellites—three optical and one Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
These satellites are intended to support national security, environmental monitoring, and economic surveillance, particularly in sectors such as the blue economy and oil and gas.
Dr Adepoju encouraged private sector involvement in areas including satellite technology, data services, rocketry, and space-based applications.
He stressed that with Nigeria being Africa’s most populous country, there is already a significant market for space-related products and services, and now is the time for African businesses to build capacity, invest locally, and retain economic value.
Speaking on behalf of Chief Emeka Obegolu, ACCI President, Mr Agabaidu Jideani, chamber’s director-general, noted that Africa has yet to fully tap into the space economy’s potential.
He pointed out challenges such as limited public awareness, infrastructure gaps, and evolving policy environments, but said these issues also present opportunities for innovation and investment.
“It was with this foresight that ACCI, through our Policy Advocacy Centre, in a strategic partnership with NASRDA, conceptualised the ASEC,” he said.
Dr Haruna Mohammed, co-chairman of the Conference Organising Committee, reiterated that the event is aimed at the private sector and will showcase how space-based technologies can aid in economic diversification, enhance infrastructure, and promote sustainable development across the continent.
Schneider Electric’s newly launched innovation hub is set to benefit not just large corporations, but also local communities, start-ups and learners from technical, vocational education and training (TVET) colleges.
This is according to Canninah Dladla, Schneider’s first female cluster president for English-speaking Africa, speaking at the launch of the hub over the weekend at the company’s headquarters in Midrand.
The hub builds on Schneider Electric’s global strategy to bring its technology closer to its customers on the African continent, while reinforcing its leadership in sustainability, innovation and digitisation, according to the company.
This African hub is part of Schneider Electric’s global network of over 40 registered innovation hubs, and provides an interactive environment where visitors can explore the company’s integrated solutions across key segments, including energy solutions, industrial automation, building solutions as well as power and grid solutions.
“We are building an ecosystem that thrives on collaboration, innovation and relevance to the African context; one that values local talent, fosters local partnerships and drives local solutions. The innovation hub enables us to create a truly dynamic experience that embodies Schneider Electric’s purpose: enabling all to maximise energy and resources while bridging progress and sustainability,” said Dladla.
“Indeed, Africa holds immense potential, and this hub is designed to help our customers and partners unlock it through digitalisation, innovation and collaboration.”
During the event, Dladla highlighted the company’s commitment to Africa’s energy future, emphasising the need for innovative solutions to address energy challenges on the continent.
“There is more to this building launch; it is unveiling our commitment to Africa’s energy for the future. Everybody, including local media, talks about Africa’s energy issues and problems. But maybe it’s about time we stopped talking about issues and problems and come with solutions.”
Walid Sheta, president of the Middle East and Africa at Schneider Electric, said the hub is made for all Schneider’s partners, colleagues and customers, adding that everyone is invited to visit and learn how the technology drives sustainability and efficiency.
“We believe our software solutions and digital offerings will shape the future for our customers. With technology like AI and sensors, we can detect issues like leaks in pipelines or equipment failures before they happen.
“This helps prevent losses, reduce emissions and keep production running smoothly. It’s already being used in various industries, like refineries, power plants and even buildings, to optimise performance and predict potential problems,” he said.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Anna Mokgokong, Schneider Electric South Africa chairperson, stressed the need for businesses to adapt and innovate in today’s fast-changing landscape. She highlighted the significance of the agriculture sector, acknowledging its challenges, and pointed out that Schneider’s automation solutions could address the sector’s challenges
Mokgokong, who also serves as a chancellor at the North-West University, said there is a need to integrate innovation in academic institutions.
“We should focus on equipping students with in-demand skills, allowing them to gain practical experience and build connections with companies like Schneider through vacation work. This way, by the time they graduate, they’ll have a competitive edge and be more likely to secure employment. It’s time for our universities and colleges to shift mindsets and prioritise quality education that meets industry needs.”
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