The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced that it is finalizing the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Document, which will soon be open for public feedback. This initiative aims to ensure the widespread adoption of AI across Nigeria. The disclosure was made during the 2024 Women Entrepreneurs and Executives in Tech Summit (WEETS), held in Lagos, and themed “AI Leadership: Navigating The Future of Women in Business.”
Engr. Falilat Jimoh, NITDA’s Head of Innovations and Digital Inclusion, representing the Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, shared the agency’s hopes that the AI policy will become a widely used document, empowering Nigerians to fully adopt AI technology.
In his goodwill message, Inuwa highlighted statistics showing that 52.2% of young female entrepreneurs in Nigeria hold at least a bachelor’s degree, compared to 42.8% of men. He underscored the growing trend of women-led businesses, citing the 2023 State of Entrepreneurship in Nigeria report, which revealed that 46% of Nigerian startups are female-led, up from 39% in 2022. Inuwa stressed that women, alongside youth, are vital to the economy and must be empowered to drive progress in the tech sector.
“NITDA recognizes the importance of innovation and how crucial it is to empower women in business with the necessary skills,” Inuwa said. He also mentioned that NITDA’s 2024-2027 Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) aims for 40% female participation in all its capacity-building programs. This reflects the agency’s commitment to fostering a more digitally enabled economy and ensuring women play an active role in Nigeria’s tech landscape.
Inuwa referenced the 2023 Global Gender Gap Report, which noted that women currently make up 30% of the global AI workforce and 39% of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce. He emphasized the need to equip women with relevant digital skills to help them thrive in AI and other emerging technologies.
“AI is being integrated into products and services across every sector of the economy,” Inuwa remarked, citing projections from Forbes, which suggest the AI market could reach $407 billion by 2027 and up to $13 trillion by 2030. He emphasized NITDA’s goal to leverage this growth by engaging diverse sectors and promoting entrepreneurship, particularly among women.
Engr. Falilat Jimoh, speaking to journalists, emphasized the necessity of AI for women, describing them as natural multitaskers who could greatly benefit from AI tools to simplify their lives. She expressed hope that once the National AI Policy is finalized, it will drive widespread AI adoption across Nigeria.
Techlife CEO and summit convener, Ugochi Emmanuel, underscored the importance of AI in empowering women, stating, “We have gathered under the compelling theme of AI leadership to ensure that women are not only participants but also leaders, innovators, and trailblazers in the AI revolution.” Emmanuel called for collective efforts to support women and girls in thriving in the digital economy.
At the summit, Mr. Oluwaseyi Olufunmilayo, CEO of Gabnath Consulting, delivered a keynote address titled Women in Tech: A Change in You, where he explained that true organizational change starts with individuals. He introduced the ADKAR model—Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement—as a framework for personal and professional growth.
The summit’s panel discussions, led by prominent female tech leaders such as Tinuade Oguntuyi, Cynthia Alabi, Abimbola Ikumariegbe, and Adebimpe Odulana, emphasized the opportunities AI presents for women in business. Oguntuyi urged women to document and celebrate their achievements, while Alabi highlighted the importance of data-backed decision-making and emotional intelligence in leadership.
As the summit concluded, the message was clear: women must be equipped to navigate the future of AI leadership, not just as participants, but as leaders who shape the digital economy.
