Huawei Technologies has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering digital inclusivity by celebrating exceptional female talents in the tech industry as part of the 2025 International Women’s Day.

At an event themed “Cultivating Talent Through ICT Training for a Prosperous Nigeria,” Huawei, in partnership with the Office of the First Lady, Sen. Remi Tinubu, recognized women who excelled in its ICT Academy and Women in Tech training programme.

The initiative aligns with global efforts to accelerate action toward gender equality, emphasizing the importance of women’s participation in technology and digital transformation.

Driving inclusion through training, capacity building

Mr. Eric Chen, Huawei Nigeria’s Strategy Director, highlighted the company’s dedication to equipping Nigerians with ICT skills, stating that over 70,000 individuals have benefited since 2018. Among them are 30,000 students, 35,000 ICT engineers, 240 female entrepreneurs, and over 3,000 civil servants.

Huawei also plays a vital role in supporting the federal government’s Three Million Technical Talent, 3MTT, programme, providing students with an international platform for competition and collaboration.

Chen stressed that empowering women in ICT is critical to driving Nigeria’s digital growth. “We celebrate the achievements of female participants in our ICT Academy and Women in Tech initiative. Our commitment remains firm in leveraging their potential to boost the nation’s digital transformation,” he said.

Bridging the gender gap in tech

Mrs. Comfort Kabirwa, Director of Policy, Research and Strategy at the Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, emphasized the urgent need for gender inclusion in technology. She noted that women account for only 26% of the global tech workforce, underscoring the need for more diversity and accessibility.

She stressed that eliminating barriers to women’s full participation in ICT would not only enhance digital inclusion but also contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth.

“As leaders, educators, and advocates, we must continue to dismantle obstacles that hinder women from thriving in technology. The future of Nigeria’s digital economy depends on an inclusive workforce,” Kabirwa stated.

READ ALSO: South Korea commits to enhance digitalisation in Nigeria

Impacting lives, shaping the future

Dr. Oyin Abiola, Huawei’s Senior Public Relations Manager, underscored the company’s holistic approach to digital empowerment, offering training, employment, and internship opportunities to outstanding female participants.

She revealed that Huawei’s ICT Academy spans 190 universities, with over 30,000 students benefiting from the programme, while more than 240 women have been trained under the Women in Tech initiative.

“Our goal is to inspire more women to explore opportunities in ICT while positioning Nigeria as a hub for tech talent outsourcing, just like India, Bangladesh, Mexico, and The Philippines,” she said.

Success Stories: Women breaking barriers in tech

Beneficiaries shared inspiring stories of how Huawei’s training transformed their careers and businesses.

Elizabeth Achimugu, founder of Protect the Child Foundation, leveraged AI to scale her organization’s advocacy efforts for children’s welfare. Olubukola Taiwo applied AI tools to enhance her business operations, while Victoria Imafidon, a 300-level Cybersecurity student at Igbinedion University, credited Huawei’s ICT Academy for boosting her career prospects with globally recognized certifications.

Another participant, Ogomudia Darlene, a Software Engineering undergraduate, described the training as an enriching experience that significantly enhanced her technical expertise.

Shaping Nigeria’s digital landscape

Tech analysts commend Huawei’s investment in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, particularly through initiatives like the 3MTT programme, National Talent Export Programme, NATEP, and local cloud infrastructure development.

By championing gender inclusivity in ICT, Huawei continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s future as a technologically advanced and digitally empowered nation.

NAN