A total of 40 secondary school girls drawn from Oyo and Ogun States have completed an intensive eight-month digital training programme under the SustainHERbility Tech Academy (STA), an initiative of The Sapphires Development Initiative (TSDI) aimed at promoting gender equity in technology education.

The academy’s closing exhibition, held at the IACD Library/American Corner in Ibadan, featured a vibrant display of innovation as participants showcased mobile applications they developed to solve real-life problems. The event drew educators, tech professionals, partners, and media houses such as BCOS and Diamond FM, highlighting the growing momentum behind digital inclusion for girls in Nigeria.

While the day celebrated technical accomplishments — from certificate presentations to mobile app demos — the event also revealed a deeper narrative: Nigerian girls are not just learning how to use technology; they are being equipped to create it.

One of the participants, 14-year-old Misturah, recounted her journey from having no computer experience to building her own basic apps. “Now I can operate a system and even build apps,” she said confidently, reflecting the transformational impact of the programme.

Angela Solomon from Theirworld, the programme’s key funder, delivered a keynote speech urging the girls to “dream boldly,” noting that “technology is not just a tool, but a gateway to global opportunities.” Her words set the tone for a dynamic Q\&A session with participants asking thoughtful questions about the future of tech and their place in it.

The exhibition also featured a panel discussion involving STA beneficiaries and instructors, who shared their experiences navigating the tech space as girls, overcoming gender stereotypes, and finding support within the STA community.

Winners of the SmartEd AI Essay Competition were announced, with Odulate Ideraoluwa Taiwo emerging as the overall winner. Participants received certificates of completion, while volunteers were also honoured for their contributions.

“The goal of this project was to make these girls into innovators and leaders who can be whatever they want to be,” said Olutomiwa Binuyo, Executive Director of TSDI. “And through this project, we have achieved that.”

More than just a training programme, STA challenged long-held gender norms in STEM fields, providing a platform not only for learning but for dreaming and leading.

Following its success, TSDI has announced plans to expand the initiative to reach more girls across Nigeria, reinforcing the need for inclusive digital policies that support equal access to tech education and integration into school curricula nationwide.