In furtherance of its commitment to bridging the gender gap in the technology space in Nigeria, a non-profit organisation, Webfala Digital Skills for All Initiative (WDSFAI) has partnered Wipro Technologies Nigeria to train 45 unemployed female graduates in Kwara State in digital skills.
Tagged ‘Keeping Female in STEM 2024’, the programme is designed to provide the participants with a four-month intensive training in either Software Development (Backend), Cybersecurity or Data Science.
Speaking at the orientation programme for the participants on Wednesday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the executive director of WDSFAI, Nafisat Bakare revealed that 990 applications were received and only 300 applicants were shortlisted for interview and screening, while 45 applicants were selected to take part in the training.
She further disclosed that after the training, the participants would take professional certification examinations in their respective fields and thereafter proceed on a three-month internship at various tech companies in the country, adding that the seven-month journey will not only enhance the participants’ employability skills but also pave the way for their personal and professional growth.
Bakare, who said that women in many parts of the world continue to face systemic barriers and discrimination in accessing education and pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, STEM, noting that there was an urgent need for initiatives like ours to promote gender equality and empower females in STEM.
She added: “By providing unemployed female graduates with training in either cybersecurity, software development (backend), or data science, we are not only addressing the gender gap in STEM fields but also empowering women to take their rightful place as leaders and innovators in the technology sector.
“This programme is not just about teaching technical skills; it is about instilling confidence, fostering resilience, and nurturing talent. Together with our partners, we are not only changing individual lives but also transforming communities and societies.”
In his presentation as a guest lecturer at the event, the CEO of Plat Technologies Limited, Taofik Abdulkareem, who lamented that women were largely underrepresented in STEM, called for more women participation in STEM activities.
According to him, “We can’t leave only men in the STEM fields because the inclusion of girls and women in STEM will bring about diversity in STEM activities. By bringing more women, we would not limit ourselves in achievable possibilities but unlock new avenues. We need more women in STEM so that they can be made visible for other women to emulate”.
Earlier in his remark, the Director, Wipro Technologies Nigeria, Abimbola Taiwo, congratulated the participants and enjoined them to seize the opportunity provided by the training programme to learn new digital skills to become employable in the digital industry.
“Remember that the skills you acquire here will not only open doors for you but also empower you to make a meaningful difference in the world,” he added.
