By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

Webfala Digital Skills for All Initiative (WDSFAI), a nonprofit organisation that champions access to digital education and skills for young people, has reaffirmed its commitment to bridging the gender gap in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.

The Executive Director of WDSFAI, Nafisat Bakare stated this in Ilorin at the graduation ceremony for 45 trainees of the organisation’s ‘Keeping Female in STEM’ programme, an initiative aimed to empower unemployed female graduates with relevant digital skills.

Bakare disclosed that the graduates received a four-month intensive training in either of software development (backend), cybersecurity or data science in addition to training in soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and branding.

“Following the completion of their training, our fellows sat for professional examinations and thereafter proceeded on a three-month internship at various tech companies in the country, where they further honed their skills,” she added.

Speaking further, the NGO boss emphasised the importance of empowering young women with digital and STEM-related skills to enable them to compete effectively in the rapidly evolving techology industry, where she said women are underrepresented.

She also highlighted the persistent challenges women face in the sector and restated her organisation’s commitment to bridging the gender divide in the tech industry by empowering more females through quality training and mentorship.

“Our mission is to ensure that more women and girls are not only introduced to STEM but also retained in the field, where they can build successful careers. The Keeping Female in STEM programme is designed to provide young women with the necessary digital skills, mentorship, and opportunities to thrive in the tech ecosystem,” Bakare said.

She further called on stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector players, and educational institutions, to support initiatives aimed at empowering women in technology.

Delivering his keynote address at the event, the Special Assistant on Digital Innovations to the Kwara State Governor, Hon. Kayode Ishola, commended WDSFAI for its role in supporting technology and innovation in the state and Nigeria.

He described STEM as the foundation of modern society and emphasised the need to encourage more women to participate in these fields.

“Increasing female participation in STEM fields will not only bridge the gender gap but also contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth and technological advancement,” Ishola noted. He further encouraged the graduates to continually seek professional training and networking opportunities to advance their respective careers.

The highlight of the graduation ceremony was the presentation of projects by the graduating fellows. Divided into different groups, the fellows showcased innovative solutions they developed using the skills acquired during the training.