The Women in Tech Summit 2025, held on Thursday at the Vinmila Conference Hall in Asaba, convened female innovators, tech entrepreneurs, government officials, and industry leaders united by a shared mission—to accelerate the role of women in technology across Delta State and Africa.

At the forefront of this year’s gathering was the convener and CEO of Coriftech, Cynthia Orife, whose leadership and vision have transformed the initiative from a small forum of fewer than 30 women in 2022 into a thriving community of over 1,000 members today.

With a target of 2,000 participants for this year’s summit, Orife described the platform as more than an event but a growing movement that provides mentorship, learning opportunities, networking, career development, and a strong support system for women aspiring to excel in tech.

Orife applauded the Delta State Government through Delta Tech Week, commending the Ministry of Science and Technology for championing innovation and digital inclusion in alignment with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda.

Unveiling the 2025 theme, “AI for Impact: Empowering African Women to Lead Global Innovation,” she urged participants to engage deeply and step boldly into leadership roles within the AI revolution, shaping a transformative, inclusive, and African-led tech future.

The Delta State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Odinigwe Daniel Odigie, reaffirmed the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to promoting women’s participation in science, innovation, and digital transformation.

He highlighted the Ministry’s consistent support for women-focused tech initiatives and shared personal reflections on the influential women in his life. Odigie also acknowledged key stakeholders, including Dr. Reboka, and stressed the importance of male-female collaboration in driving inclusive technological growth.

Programme Director Mrs. Uchechukwu Chinedu Esther celebrated the summit’s rapid expansion and the rising prominence of African women as innovators and leaders. She noted that the summit continues to create avenues for women to build strong networks, gain mentorship, and access life-changing career opportunities.

According to her, “Women in Tech is a platform to build more tech leaders—bringing women together to showcase their potential and demonstrate that women in Delta State are ready to thrive.”

The final keynote by Mrs. Chukwura Nkechi, a director in the Ministry of Science and Technology, projected a forward-looking vision of Artificial Intelligence as a catalyst for Africa’s next wave of innovation.

She described AI as a revolutionary force with the power to enhance productivity, sharpen decision-making, and drive wealth creation, especially when applied to local challenges.

Emphasising the collaborative and human-centered ethos of Industry 5.0, she highlighted the indispensable role of women—whose empathy, ethics, and intuition are crucial to ensuring AI serves societal good.

She called on women to lead the AI-driven transformation and build solutions that solve real problems.

A goodwill message from Dr. Oke Idawene, National President of the Integrity Group of Nigeria, reaffirmed the vital role women play in society.

He applauded CEO Cynthia Orife for her commitment to youth empowerment and praised Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for supporting impactful initiatives across the state.