Highlights
- Learning is a continuous process; we should not stop learning
- We’ve been enlightened to take full charge of our businesses by being involved in every aspect and being conscious of doing business the right way
- Leveraging on technology and digital media to grow our businesses – Liz Ogah
Beaming faces with smiles were all over the places as IgniteHer Bootcamp, a flagship initiative by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), came to a successful conclusion on Friday, March 7, 2025.
Over the course of five impactful days, the program empowered 90 female entrepreneurs with essential knowledge, skills, and networks to build and scale successful businesses.
Some of these female entrepreneurs gave their verdicts on the programme. Techeconomy documented them for your reading pleasure:
From Fatima Muhammad,
“This is a well and understanding program I ever had received on business. So far the experience I had is alot but the most three keys here for me are:
“As a small scale businesswoman I found it so easy to understand how to overcome my problems with my in-laws on this gender gap issues.
“The assignment given to us burst my mine on how to use some digital tool on business plan because they are new to me and your lessons on us make me a great achiever on them.
“I also had a lot experience from all my Facilitators especially on how to get more customers through different ways of marketing.
“Alhamdulillahi for the name of the project IgniteHer; I am ignited in all what you people have thought us.
Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity NITDA and JICA”.
Another participants who identified herself as Kokoma, said her three key takeaways are;
“I got exposed to AI and productivity tools I could adopt in my business to enhance business operations;
“I got better understanding of how to go about my business plan and how to drafted my unique Lean BMC for my business, and
“I had a total mind change generally from this session on being resilient to grow my business.”
Zara Moris shared her perspective thus;
My takeaway[s] from this session;
“You can start again even when you fall
“Women can do better. As small as it is u can also do better
“AI can help a lot in generating market planning. Indeed as small as my business is I really learned a lot”
Hadiza Isah Mohammed also had these lessons to share;
“…this is one of the inspirational bootcamps I’ve ever attended. I was at the point of dropping my dreams cos [sic: because] everything seems not to work but I’ve been ignited n [sic: and] ready to continue my journey. Kudos to the organisers”
Tamara Wodu said her key takeaway is that “even though AI is there to help me. I should also hone my creative ability”.
How about Eseohe Okhue – Her key takeaways are leveraging AI for business growth.
“Learning the lean business model Canva, and the importance of digital marketing for business growth”.
Ann Ayorinde, said:
“The past five days was worth it! From unlearning, relearning; it’s been a mind shifting, mind blowing and of cos [sic: because] it has ignite a fire to do better and be best at the agric industry! I see me going digital, using technology. You all Wii see Alayofg on every click on the web! Thank you to NITDA and JICA. May God bless your efforts.
My key takeaways for Shukura Ojuile, are:
“I didn’t know the reality of gender gap until I heard people sharing their personal experience.
“Learning about the need to have Business Plan, that it’s the roadmap to having a Successful Business
“The incorporation of digital marketing, financially literacy and using the technology; it has been really mind-blowing and insightful. Thank you very much for this opportunity
Modupeola Oduwole thanked NITDA and JICA; “I’m grateful to be with amazing women that share from their wealth of knowledge regarding digital marketing strategies. And as we celebrate women’s day’s tomorrow [March 8, 2025] event such a wonderful opportunity and experience”.
Maryam Ibrahim Hamza said, “Thank you so much for this opportunity. This program is really an eye opener, it has also change my perspective towards my business. With this 4-day training, I see my business grown bigger already in the next 3 months. And I promise to implement all that I have learnt during the bootcamp. Just that my question: Please how do we write a successful partnership request?
Rume Oshenye said her lessons stem from leveraging AI to help her business, particularly with automating processes and email campaigns/lists.
Key highlights from the IgniteHer Bootcamp, according to Magdalene-Ada Ogban, are:
“During the ‘Leveraging Technology’ session yesterday I learnt how to analyse my website and implement changes to optimise my businesses presence.
“I got to read the startup Act, something I never knew about, and it was very insightful to know all of the benefits and responsibilities I have as a startup in Nigeria. (I have a few questions on this though @Aisha)
“I have been very encouraged through the stories told by the facilitators and women in this boot camp. I am spurred up to become a Unicorn and to win at my dreams.
Ubeydat Ismail said that the IgniteHer Bootcamp exposed her to the knowledge that “a great business idea is not enough; execution and strategy matter!
“AI is not just for tech companies; it can revolutionize any industry, including mine, and being present and intentional in business is very crucial
“This bootcamp has empowered me to refine my business strategy and embrace technology-driven innovation”, she said.
Fatima Jarma M. also said she learnt a lot and “it’s priceless, motivating and inspiring. I got exposed to new things, successful entrepreneurs, new experiences on different aspects and it has really changed my thoughts, my perspective and my zeal to learning new things. Thank you all”.
With overwhelmingly positive feedback, the IgniteHer Bootcamp stands as a transformative program, driving progress in bridging the gender gap in business and empowering women to thrive in the digital economy.
