By Gabriel Ameh
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to bridging the gender gap in Nigeria’s information and communications technology sector through its support for the 2026 International Girls in ICT Day campaign.
The initiative, organised by eBusiness Life Communication Limited, is scheduled to hold at the Lagos Oriental Hotel on Thursday, June 25, 2026, as part of a global campaign spearheaded by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to encourage more young girls to pursue careers in ICT and STEM-related fields.
This year’s theme, “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future,” highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping global innovation and the need for increased female participation in emerging technologies.
According to organisers, the campaign aims to address the persistent gender imbalance in the tech industry by inspiring young girls to pursue careers in coding, software development, cybersecurity, and other ICT disciplines.
Several industry players have also indicated support for the initiative, including Digital Encode Limited, a cybersecurity consulting and integration firm known for its work in enterprise security, digital forensics, and governance, risk, and compliance solutions across Africa.
The company, led by Founder and Chief Visionary Officer Dr. Obadare Peter Adewale, has been active in youth empowerment and cybersecurity capacity-building initiatives across the continent.
AfriGOpay Financial Services Limited, operators of Nigeria’s domestic card scheme AfriGO, has also joined the partnership to support efforts aimed at closing the gender gap in technology. The company emphasized its commitment to promoting digital inclusion, financial innovation, and data sovereignty within Nigeria’s payment ecosystem.
Speaking on the initiative, Convener of Girls-In-ICT and CEO of eBusiness Life Communication Limited, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro, noted that the ICT sector continues to face a significant skills gap globally, with millions of job opportunities expected to emerge by 2030.
She stressed that equipping girls with ICT skills such as coding, app development, and computer science would significantly improve their career prospects and enable them to compete in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
She further highlighted that ICT skills are increasingly relevant across all sectors, including healthcare, education, environmental management, and communications, making digital literacy essential for future careers.
Mrs. Emuophedaro also noted that despite progress, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles within the ICT sector, often occupying junior or support positions with limited access to executive opportunities or entrepreneurship pathways.
The 2026 Girls in ICT Day celebration will feature STEM competitions, including quizzes and practical technology challenges for secondary school students across selected public and private schools.
Other activities will include student roundtable discussions, motivational talks by women in technology, and mentorship sessions aimed at inspiring participants to pursue careers in ICT.
Awards and prizes will be presented to outstanding students and schools, alongside recognition for women who have made significant contributions to the ICT industry.
The International Girls in ICT Day, established under ITU Resolution 70, is observed annually on the fourth Thursday of April to promote awareness and encourage girls and young women to consider careers in information and communication technologies.
Organisers say the 2026 edition is expected to attract participation from government officials, industry leaders, and private sector stakeholders committed to advancing digital inclusion and gender equality in technology.
