In a vibrant show of commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has once again placed women at the heart of Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
With the launch of the second cohort of the IgniteHer Bootcamp, NITDA is not just ticking policy boxes, it is reshaping Nigeria’s digital and economic future through the power of inclusion.
Under the theme “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs for Growth and Innovation,” the bootcamp brought together a new generation of women entrepreneurs from across Nigeria, physically and virtually, for hands-on training in digital skills, innovation management, business development, and investor readiness. The initiative was made possible through a strategic partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
As the bootcamp kicked off, Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA’s director general, represented by Dr. Ahmed Tambuwal, acting director, Digital Literacy and Capacity Building), underscored the moment’s significance.
“Through IgniteHer, we are actualising the Renewed Hope Agenda by expanding women’s access to technology and economic opportunity,” he declared.
For NITDA, inclusive innovation is more than a buzzword, it is the backbone of its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0: 2024–2027).
The DG noted that IgniteHer is a critical lever for poverty eradication, youth empowerment, and gender equality, anchored firmly in the broader National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS).
With an ambitious goal to equip 12.7 million Nigerian women with digital literacy skills by 2027, IgniteHer is already changing the narrative for thousands.
From over 12,000 applicants, a select group of women now find themselves equipped with not only new skills, but a bold vision of self-reliance, leadership, and innovation.
“We are not merely imparting skills; we are creating self-reliant entrepreneurs, change-makers, and leaders,” the DG affirmed.
Citing a report by the World Wide Web Foundation, Inuwa emphasized that closing Nigeria’s digital gender gap could unlock up to $13 billion in GDP growth over the next decade. Programmes like IgniteHer, he said, are direct investments in that future.
The DG also praised Japan’s consistent support, noting the fruitful collaboration with JICA, which also powers the iHatch Incubation Programme, a startup support platform providing mentorship and innovation development to early-stage entrepreneurs.
“At NITDA, we believe that inclusive innovation is not just an ideal but a strategy for stronger economies, smarter solutions, and more resilient communities. Through IgniteHer, we’re not just breaking barriers—we’re building bridges to opportunity,” he concluded.
A Global Partner in Empowerment
In his remarks, Ambassador Matsunaga Kazuyoshi of Japan reaffirmed Japan’s enduring partnership with Nigeria on innovation and gender equity.
He announced two ongoing grant projects totaling $30.9 million, supported through JICA, which focus on strengthening Nigeria’s startup ecosystem and building inclusive innovation hubs.
Looking ahead to the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), themed “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa”, the Ambassador reiterated Japan’s commitment to co-developing a digitally inclusive future with African partners.
A Movement, Not Just a Bootcamp
Lead facilitator Hajiya Hafsat Salabi-Dange described IgniteHer by NITDA as more than a training, it’s a movement for transformation.
“What you will gain here goes beyond business. It is a tool for community upliftment, national growth, and generational impact,” she told the participants.
Encouraging the women to remain curious, intentional, and bold, she praised NITDA’s visionary approach to national development and called on the women to become multipliers of opportunity in their communities.
As Nigeria continues its digital leap, initiatives like IgniteHer are ensuring that no one, especially no woman, is left behind. In every line of code learned, every pitch perfected, and every connection made, the seeds of a more inclusive, innovative, and hopeful Nigeria are being sown.
