CITAD Empowers Women in Northern Nigeria with New Digital Skills

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has introduced a new project, Agenda-WINNIG, aimed at bridging the digital skills gap for women and girls in Northern Nigeria while enhancing their economic opportunities.

Designed to provide practical digital training, the initiative seeks to equip participants with the tools needed to engage actively in the expanding digital economy. As part of the launch, town hall meetings were held in Rano, Bichi, and Kano Municipal, bringing together community members, local leaders, and potential beneficiaries to raise awareness and encourage participation.

Spanning 18 months, the programme will be implemented across Kano and Bauchi States. Beyond digital training, Agenda-WINNIG emphasizes sustained empowerment, ensuring participants remain connected to the digital ecosystem even after completing the programme.

The initiative targets women and girls aged 16 to 40, including secondary school students, those who did not complete their education, and graduates looking to enhance their career prospects. A strong focus on inclusivity ensures that marginalized and vulnerable groups are actively supported.

Training will cover basic digital literacy, online safety, and digital hygiene, locally known as Na’ura Tsaftacecciya. In addition, a Training of Trainers (ToT) component is incorporated to equip staff and volunteers from partner organisations with the skills to continue reaching more beneficiaries beyond the project’s duration.

Agenda-WINNIG also provides academic support for final-year secondary school girls, including coaching for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), helping them strengthen both educational and digital readiness.

The programme has been well-received by local education stakeholders, with representatives noting that equipping women with digital skills can drive broader community development and economic growth.

Implementation is part of a wider effort to support women’s digital and economic inclusion. For insights on women leading societal transformation across Nigeria and Africa, see INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY SPECIAL: Celebrating Nigerian Women Shaping the Future of CSR and Sustainability in Africa.

Participants and interested stakeholders can also learn more about Agenda-WINNIG and register for upcoming sessions via CITAD Agenda-WINNIG.

Overall, Agenda-WINNIG demonstrates the critical role of digital inclusion in creating meaningful opportunities for women and girls in underserved regions, supporting Nigeria’s broader goals of economic and technological progress.