FEATURE: When NITDA Gave Nigerian Women More Than Flowers
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.
