By Fatima Yusuf Usman,

The air inside the conference hall crackled with anticipation. It was not just another routine gathering; this was different. A room filled with women – bright, ambitious and eager – sat ready to decode a subject that affects every heartbeat, every mood swing, and every ounce of energy they possess.

The topic? Hormonal health. The host? The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The mission? To empower women not just with knowledge, but with technology-driven solutions that could revolutionize the way they understand their bodies.

As part of its 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration, NITDA on Thursday, March 13, 2025, staged a riveting health talk titled: “Nurturing Women’s Health: Embracing Hormonal Harmony for Lifelong Wellness.” But this was more than a lecture on hormones.

It was a moment of reckoning where medicine met technology, where the future of women’s health stood at the intersection of innovation and awareness.

Beyond Words, A Call to Action

Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director General of NITDA, took the stage, not just as a Chief Executive Officer, but as an advocate. His voice carried the weight of an urgent truth. Women’s health is not an afterthought. It is a priority.

He spoke about the necessity of informed health choices, urging the women (mostly NITDA’s female staff) in attendance to reclaim control over their well-being. The agency, he assured them, was fully committed to fostering a work culture that prioritizes both professional growth and personal health.

His message was clear. This was not just about knowledge. It was about power: the power to understand, to track and to take charge.

A Deep Dive into Hormones

Enter Dr. Aishatu Ladan Tsamiya, a family physician with a knack for making complex medical jargon feel like everyday conversation. She broke down the invisible, yet potent forces that dictate a woman’s daily life. Hormones.

They regulate mood, metabolism, energy levels and reproductive health. When they fall out of sync, the effects can be devastating. Chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, weight gain, infertility.

But knowledge alone is not enough. The question remains. How do women harness this knowledge to take control? That was where technology stepped in.

When Tech Meets Health

The discussion took an electrifying turn when the conversation shifted to the role of technology in managing hormonal health. From cycle-tracking apps like Flo, Clue and MyFlo, to wearable tech like the Ava Bracelet and Natural Cycles, it became evident that the future of women’s health was digital.

But why stop at apps? Imagine an AI-driven assistant that could predict mood changes based on hormonal fluctuations, or a smart device that could detect early signs of hormonal imbalance before symptoms become debilitating.

What if Nigeria led the charge in developing these innovations tailored to the unique health challenges of African women?

NITDA’s Next Move

The conversation did not end with talk. It sparked a vision, one where NITDA could merge digital transformation with women’s healthcare. The agency has long been a driving force behind Nigeria’s technological evolution, but this event hinted at something greater.

An opportunity to lead in health tech innovation. Could hormonal health tracking be integrated into Nigeria’s digital health platforms? Could future policies encourage homegrown tech solutions that cater specifically to Nigerian women?

The event left no doubt. This is an area ripe for exploration.

The Power to Know, The Power to Act

As the session wrapped up, the DG left the audience with a final challenge.

“Technology gives us the power to understand our bodies better than ever before. By combining health awareness with tech innovation, we can empower women to lead healthier, more balanced lives.”

The room was no longer just a space for listening. It had become a launching pad for action. NITDA’s health talk to commemorate this year’s women’s day was more than just another event. It was a revelation, a challenge and a bold step into the future.

With knowledge, innovation and commitment, the conversation that began within the walls of NITDA’s Corporate Office in Abuja could reshape women’s healthcare in Nigeria and beyond.

Fatima Yusuf Usman is a serving corps member at PRNigeria Centre in Abuja.

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing women’s health through technology-driven solutions.

The agency made this known during an insightful health talk held in commemoration of the “2025 International Women’s Day (IWD)”, where it also celebrated the contributions of its female staff.

Themed: “Nurturing Women’s Health: Embracing Hormonal Harmony for Lifelong Wellness,” the event, held at NITDA’s Head Office in Abuja, provided a platform for female staff to gain essential health insights, particularly on hormonal balance and overall well-being.

In his keynote address, NITDA’s Director-General/CEO, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, expressed deep appreciation for the contributions of women within the agency, acknowledging their vital role in its success.

He emphasized that NITDA is committed not only to raising awareness about women’s health but also to leveraging technological innovations to empower them with better healthcare access and information.

“The more women there are in the agency, the better,” he noted, stressing the need for informed lifestyle choices that support hormonal health and overall wellness.

The highlight of the event was a lecture delivered by Dr. Aishatu Ladan Tsamiya, a family physician with vast experience in women’s health.

She provided an in-depth discussion on the role of hormones in regulating metabolism, mood, stress levels, and reproductive health.

Dr. Ladan underscored how hormonal imbalances can lead to issues such as fatigue, irregular cycles, weight fluctuations, and mood swings, offering practical advice on dietary adjustments, stress management, and early medical intervention.

She also highlighted how technology can serve as a critical tool in bridging healthcare gaps, enabling women to monitor their health, access telemedicine services, and receive personalized wellness education.

The session featured an interactive Q&A, during which participants shared personal health concerns and received expert guidance.

Organizers noted that focusing on hormonal health aligns with the broader IWD goal of breaking systemic barriers, ensuring that women remain in control of their well-being without compromising their careers or personal lives.

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By Fatimah Yusuf Usman,

As the world basked in the celebration of the “2025 International Women’s Day” themed: “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” the call to action has never been more urgent. Women’s participation in key sectors, especially technology, remains disproportionately low, despite growing evidence that empowering women drives economic growth and societal advancement.

Accelerating action requires more than just words; it demands intentional efforts to dismantle barriers and create opportunities for women to thrive. This year’s IWD theme underscores the need for tangible progress in closing the gender gap and investing in women’s education, skills and leadership.

For Nigeria, where women make up nearly half of the population yet remain underrepresented in the technology sector, this message holds particular significance. Addressing this imbalance is not just about fairness—it is about driving national prosperity.

One organization that has consistently championed this cause is the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). Under the leadership of Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, NITDA has been at the forefront of empowering women through technology, implementing strategic initiatives to bridge the gender gap and equip women with the skills to excel in the digital economy.

NITDA’s approach to gender inclusion has been deliberate and far-reaching.

Recognizing that digital literacy is a key driver of economic empowerment, the agency has rolled out numerous training programs designed specifically for women.

These programs cover essential skills in coding, artificial intelligence, data analysis, and cybersecurity—fields that have traditionally seen low female participation.

A notable highlight of these efforts was the DG’s recent attendance at the inauguration of the Quality Education and Girl Child initiatives, organized by the Ministry of Education. During the event, Kashifu Inuwa emphasized the critical role of education in societal transformation and stressed the need to empower women through technology.

He underscored how bridging the gender gap in digital literacy is not just a moral imperative but a strategic move to drive national development. This aligns with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on education, health, and social investment as essential pillars of national progress.

By equipping women with digital skills and ensuring their active participation in the tech ecosystem, NITDA is contributing directly to this broader vision of inclusive growth. Over the years, NITDA has launched several targeted initiatives to increase women’s participation in the tech industry.

Through women-focused digital literacy programs, the agency has organized training sessions across Nigeria, providing women with practical skills to navigate and excel in the digital space. Support for women-led startups has also been a priority, with funding opportunities, networking platforms, and mentorship programs helping female entrepreneurs thrive.

Additionally, innovation hubs for women have been established, providing collaborative spaces where women can access resources and scale their ideas into viable businesses. These efforts reflect a broader understanding that closing the gender gap in technology requires more than just increasing access—it involves creating a supportive ecosystem where women can lead, innovate, and thrive.

While progress is being made, challenges remain. Structural barriers, ranging from gender bias to unequal access to opportunities, continue to limit women’s participation in the tech sector. Kashifu Inuwa has consistently advocated for policy changes that address these barriers, including promoting gender balance in tech leadership and encouraging more women to take up STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and careers.

Through initiatives like Digital Youth Nigeria, NITDA has trained thousands of young women in digital skills, helping them break into the tech industry and challenge outdated norms about women’s capabilities in the digital economy. The agency’s approach has been to empower women not just as participants but as leaders and innovators.

Under Kashifu Inuwa’s leadership, NITDA has demonstrated that empowering women through technology is not just about gender equality—it is about national progress. The DG has made it clear that investing in women’s education and skills is a strategic move to strengthen Nigeria’s economy and global competitiveness.

His recent emphasis on aligning NITDA’s gender inclusion efforts with the Renewed Hope Agenda signals a long-term commitment to creating a more equitable society. By investing in women’s digital literacy and supporting women-led innovations, NITDA is helping to build a future where women’s contributions to technology and society are fully recognized and valued.

As the global call to “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” echoes this Women’s Day, NITDA’s work serves as a powerful example of what it means to take concrete action. Empowering women in technology is not just about closing the gender gap—it is about unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s human capital and driving sustainable development.

Kashifu Inuwa’s leadership has shown that investing in women is not only a moral imperative—it is a strategic pathway to national prosperity. By providing women with the skills, opportunities, and support needed to excel in technology, NITDA is helping to create a future where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a reality.

This Women’s Day, the message is clear: empowering women accelerates progress—and NITDA is leading the way.

Fatimah Yusuf Usman, a Mass Communication graduate from Baze University, is a serving corps member at PRNigeria Centre, Abuja. She can be reached via: fatimahborkono@gmail.com.

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The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu said the Agency would double the number of female Engineers in Nigeria over the next five years.

The EVC/CEO made this pledge today Friday at NASENI Headquarters, Abuja during the official launch of “Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her” (DELT-Her), an event which also coincided with the global commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD).

Delt-Her, according to Mr. Halilu is an initiative, a subset of Delta-2 programme, floated to close the gender gap in engineering practice in the country, inspire next generation of female engineers, provide financing support for new ideas and projects, translating them into viable businesses, and ultimately to strengthen the entire engineering ecosystem.

Mr. Halilu said, “DELT-Her is what I call an opportunity platform”, through which girls and young women can pitch and present their exciting and groundbreaking engineering ideas, for funding by NASENI, through our collaboration with the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT).

Speaking further on the project, he said, DELT-Her “seeks to correct the in balance in practice and enterprise development, by focusing attention and funding on young women, and very importantly, creating and cultivating public awareness around the need to train and mentor more women into the engineering professions.

According to him, what this should ideally mean is that women should make up half of all professional spaces in the country but, for now, this is far from reality.

“The global average for female representation in engineering is 28 per cent. In Nigeria, it is only five percent, only one in 20 Nigerian engineers is a woman. This awareness component of the work is one that we will take very seriously, working through schools, and storytelling campaigns.

“We intend to, through DELT-HER, double the number of female engineers in Nigeria over the next five years. This will mean working extensively at the level of secondary education, which is where young girls make the vital decisions regarding choice of professional field”, he affirmed.

Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman, PICTT, Dr. Mohammed Dahiru stated that, “The Committee, through continuous support of NASENI is determined to fund innovative and commercially viable ideas in engineering and technology-oriented proposals by women. Therefore, today’s launch of call for proposals from young women marks the beginning of a chain of events which are expected to lead to engineering start-up companies owned and run by women.”

In her key note address, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala said DELT-HER initiative sought to address the challenges of practice by the female gender, and to unlock the full potentials of women in engineering.

Other goodwill messages at the event included the chairman, Senate Committee on NASENI, Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi who pledged his support for Women in engineering and science sector to ensure that they are given their rightful position in society.

Others who gave goodwill messages include the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Citizenship and Leadership, Rinsola Abiola and Chairman, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria(APWEN), Engr. Mrs. Katume Giwa. The event was graced by students from Government Secondary School, Dasara, Kuje, Abuja.

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TECHDIGEST – The Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) joins the world in celebrating the International Women’s Day 2023 with the theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.”

Speaking on this year’s theme which aims to highlight the importance of leveraging innovation and technology to achieve gender equality and empower women in all aspects of life, the Chairman of the Lagos Chapter of NIPR, Mrs. Comfort Obot Nwanwkwo noted that the world is moving towards a digital age, and women must not be left behind.

She said: “It is critical to address the gender gap in access to technology and digital literacy to ensure that women can benefit from the opportunities that come with the digital age.

As a professional body committed to promoting excellence in the practice of Public Relations, the Lagos Chapter of NIPR recognizes the need for increased awareness and support for women’s access to technology and digital literacy.

We also acknowledge the remarkable achievements of women in the field of technology and innovation, and we encourage more women to join the industry.”

She continued: “We call on government and private sector stakeholders to prioritize initiatives that will promote gender equality and bridge the digital divide for women. This includes policies that support equal access to technology, digital skills training programs, and the promotion of women’s participation in technology and innovation.”

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“We also urge individuals and organizations to embrace diversity and inclusivity in the workplace and ensure that women have equal opportunities to contribute to the growth and development of their organizations.”

By PR Nigeria

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TECHDIGEST – In its effort to empower women in agriculture, Lagos-based Fintech Company, SUBA Capital has assured that it will assist more women farmers to secure financial support for their farming projects.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of SUBA Capital, Adaku Ekwueme, gave the assurance in a message to their subscribers in commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day.
Ekwueme explained that 70 percent of the company’s projects are focused on providing necessary support for women in agriculture.

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She said that about 38 million Nigerians are financially excluded, with women forming the largest proportion, hence SUBA Capital is very keen on financially empowering them to have access to basic financial services for their farming business.

“African women play a central role in the continent’s agriculture sector. They produce 60 percent to 80 percent of the continent’s food. As the backbone of the sector they represent 52 percent of the total population in the sector and are responsible for approximately 50 percent of the agricultural labour on farms in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“But African women persistently remain an untapped opportunity in Agriculture – their level and quality of participation does not accrue to sustainable socio-economic development benefits.

She added that the SUBA Capital Mobile App would be launched soon to enable the company achieve it’s goal of creating jobs for women to help reduce poverty and hunger in Africa.

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