By Juliet Umeh
In its commitment to bridging the gender gap in Nigeria’s ICT sector, leading mobile network operator, MTN Nigeria, has reaffirmed its support for gender inclusivity by backing the 2025 edition of the International Girls in ICT Day campaign, organized by eBusiness Life Communication Limited.
Also joining the campaign this year is Nigeria’s foremost Cybersecurity and Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) firm, Digital Encode, further underscoring the growing support for gender parity in the tech industry.
The 2025 edition of the event will be held on May 15, 2025, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, and aligns with a global movement initiated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The campaign aims to encourage young girls to explore careers in ICT—a field historically dominated by men. This year’s theme, “Girls in ICTs: Bridging ALL Divides for an Inclusive Digital Transformation,” will focus on creating inclusive pathways for girls in the digital space.
According to the CEO of eBusiness Life Communication and Convener of the campaign, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro, the initiative is driven by the pressing need to shape the future of technology through inclusive participation.
“We must ensure that young girls are exposed to career opportunities in technology-related fields so they can contribute meaningfully to industry growth and national development,” she stated.
In Nigeria, the gender gap in the ICT sector remains a challenge, with women comprising only about 20% of the workforce and men almost twice as likely to pursue technology-related careers. The campaign seeks to reverse this trend through awareness, mentorship, and opportunities for hands-on engagement.
With strong support from MTN Nigeria and Digital Encode, the campaign gains valuable backing from ICT powerhouses. MTN Nigeria, with over 87 million subscribers, has consistently championed initiatives aimed at building digital skills and human capacity. The company’s vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world has been evident in its longstanding support for youth and women empowerment programs.
Digital Encode, established in 2003, is recognized for its deep expertise in network security, cybersecurity audit, and advisory services across multiple sectors. With a vendor-independent approach, the company is at the forefront of helping businesses and institutions secure their digital environments and implement best-in-class IT governance.
The 2025 Girls in ICT event will feature a rich line-up of activities including:
An AI (Robotic) competition for female students from selected secondary schools
Roundtable discussions and motivational talks led by distinguished women ICT professionals
A STEM quiz competition for schools
Networking and mentoring opportunities
International Girls in ICT Day, established through ITU Resolution 70, is commemorated globally on the fourth Thursday of April each year. It serves as a platform to inspire girls and young women to consider careers in information and communication technologies and to galvanize support from communities, governments, and the private sector.
Top government functionaries, ICT regulators, and private sector leaders are expected to grace this year’s event, making it a high-impact platform for advocacy, inspiration, and action.
