The future of technology must be inclusive, and empowering young girls with the skills, confidence and opportunities to lead in the digital age is an important step towards achieving that vision.
On 18 November 2026, Abuja will host the National Girls in ICT Leadership Summit and Demo Day, a major milestone in the National Girls’ Digital Leadership Programme (NGDLP), an initiative designed to introduce Nigerian secondary school girls to technology and equip them with practical digital skills.
From Learning to Innovation
The National Girls’ Digital Leadership Programme was established to address the limited exposure of young Nigerian girls to opportunities in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and software development.
Through a structured online fellowship, the programme is providing 106 girls from 13 schools across the Federal Capital Territory with training across three specialised learning tracks:
- Artificial Intelligence and Data Science: Exploring how data and intelligent technologies can solve real-world problems.
- Cybersecurity: Understanding digital safety, security and the protection of information.
- Frontend Development: Developing practical skills to create interactive digital experiences.
Beyond classroom learning, the participants are working in teams on real-world problem statements, developing capstone projects that demonstrate their creativity, technical abilities and problem-solving skills.
The National Girls in ICT Leadership Summit and Demo Day
The upcoming summit on 18 November 2026 will provide a national platform for the programme’s fellows to showcase their capstone projects.
Participants will present their technology solutions to a panel of judges, demonstrating what they have learned throughout the fellowship and how they intend to apply their knowledge to address practical challenges.
More importantly, the event represents an opportunity to celebrate young female innovators, encourage technology leadership and inspire more girls to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical sciences (STEMM).
A Partnership Driving Impact
The programme is being implemented through a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Education’s STEMM and Corporate Sector Engagement Office and Elia Africa Consulting Ltd, its implementation partner.
The initiative also benefits from the support of three financial partners: IHS, Lotus Bank and NLNG.
This partnership demonstrates the importance of collaboration between government, private organisations and education stakeholders in expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.
Building a Future Where Girls Lead in Technology
Empowering girls with digital skills goes beyond teaching them how to use technology. It means creating opportunities for them to become innovators, problem-solvers, entrepreneurs and leaders.
The National Girls in ICT Leadership Summit is an important reminder that young girls should not simply participate in the digital future; they should have the opportunity to shape it.
As we look towards a more technologically driven Nigeria, investing in girls’ education, digital inclusion and leadership development must remain a priority.
The future is digital. The future is inclusive. And girls must be part of the leadership shaping it.
Together, we can build a generation of confident female innovators equipped to transform Nigeria and contribute to the global digital economy.