In a bid to expand Nigeria’s digital economy, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the House of Representatives Spouses Association (HORSA), organised a two-day digital literacy and capacity-building workshop for the spouses of lawmakers.
The initiative, themed “Empowering Women for a Digital Future: Leadership, Wellbeing, and Opportunity,” aimed to equip participants with practical skills to navigate the digital economy and support public service responsibilities.
Beyond basic computer literacy, the workshop covered financial and digital literacy for personal and business growth, cybersecurity and digital wellbeing, and economic empowerment through remote work, business process outsourcing, and digital entrepreneurship.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, emphasised the vital role spouses play as trusted advisers. He noted that legislative work often strains family life and said equipping spouses with digital and leadership skills strengthens their capacity to provide informed support.
“Many spouses already lead humanitarian and development initiatives in their communities. The skills gained here will enhance strategic planning, communication, and resource mobilisation, deepening their contribution to national development,” Kalu said.
NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, described the initiative as part of the Federal Government’s drive to build an inclusive digital economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He said women are critical drivers of Nigeria’s digital transformation and stressed that digitally literate spouses can influence technology-driven governance, including efforts to digitise legislative processes.
The workshop featured addresses from key officials, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim; and the Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses’ Forum, Prof. (Mrs.) Olufolake Abdulrazaq.
HORSA Leader Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas described the workshop as a historic milestone, highlighting its role in preparing women for the demands of public life in the digital age.
