Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on women nationwide to take bold steps toward digital empowerment by starting with manageable goals in their business ventures and technological advancement.
She made this appeal during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Renewed Hope Initiative/National Information Technology Development Agency Women ICT Training Empowerment Programme.
In a statement released by the State House on Friday, Senator Tinubu emphasised the importance of taking initial steps despite uncertainties, urging participants not to let fear prevent them from beginning their journey.
“Don’t be afraid to start small. Somebody, especially when you do it small and do it very well, somebody will take note.”
Drawing from personal experience, the First Lady reflected on her establishment of the Alternative High School for Girls during her tenure as Lagos State First Lady. What began as an untested concept has since expanded into a network of more than 40 successful institutions nationwide, demonstrating how modest initiatives can grow into significant movements.
This success story, she suggested, should inspire women to develop their technological capabilities gradually, trusting that small beginnings can lead to substantial achievements. The First Lady encouraged attendees to view their current training as the foundation for future advancement.
Acknowledging the program’s expansion, Senator Tinubu celebrated its growth from an initial cohort of 35 participants to the current 607 women representing states across Nigeria.
“You all stand today as ambassadors of digital literacy.”
“Apply the skills you have learned. Pursue continuous growth in the digital space.”
NITDA Director-General Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, speaking earlier, underscored how empowering Nigerian women through technology and digital education can drive national transformation.
He noted the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping women with essential digital capabilities and resources for financial independence.
According to Mallam Abdullahi, these digital empowerment initiatives align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategic economic vision.
“As a nation, we cannot achieve a one trillion U.S. Dollar economy if half of our population is left to die. Therefore, at NITDA, we have a clear vision to make A Nigeria an empowered nation, fostering inclusive economic growth through technological innovation.” “When our communities are empowered, we thrive.”
“In the 21st century, the illiterate are those who cannot use digital devices. Therefore, we want to empower every Nigerian to develop digital fluency—not just to access the digital economy but to be an active part of it.”
The program concluded with 320 participants from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones receiving brand-new laptops along with seed capital of N200,000 (two hundred thousand naira) each.
News.ng reports that with the empowerment of women in their digital journey, it will help close the 32% gap of women who are digitally literate compared to the 47% of men who are digitally inclined in Nigeria.
