The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged the 300 participants of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and Huawei “Women in Tech” training programme to use their newly acquired digital skills to create positive change in their communities.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Women in Tech training programme for women entrepreneurs from the six geopolitical zones, held in Abuja on Thursday, Mrs Tinubu said the initiative was designed to empower women to thrive in the digital economy and contribute to national development.
The digital empowerment initiative, organised by the Renewed Hope Initiative in collaboration with Huawei Technologies Company, focused on equipping female entrepreneurs with practical technological skills that can help them expand their businesses and adapt to the growing demands of the digital age.
Mrs Tinubu, while addressing the women, emphasised the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in technology. “Although the training has ended, technology keeps changing. Your biggest strength is your ability to keep learning, evolving and adapting to new trends available for your growth in technology,” she said.
She encouraged the participants to apply the knowledge gained from the training to solve challenges within their communities, adding that innovation holds true value only when it improves lives. “Use your new skills to solve real problems in your various communities, because true innovation is only valuable when it improves lives. Remember, you are part of a larger network; support one another and grow together,” she stated.
The First Lady commended Huawei Technologies for collaborating with the Renewed Hope Initiative on the project and urged the participants to mentor other young women. “I thank Huawei Technologies Company Limited for this collaboration with the RHI. Finally, I charge you all to mentor others in your various businesses. Be a guide for young girls and women who think technology is not for them,” she added.
Mrs Tinubu explained that the Women in Tech training programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which promotes inclusive growth and digital empowerment for all Nigerians through industrialisation and digitisation. “When women are equipped with the right tools and knowledge, they become agents of change in their families, communities, and the nation at large,” she said.
According to her, the programme, which ran between April and October 2024, successfully equipped 300 women with essential digital skills to help them succeed in today’s technology-driven world. “I congratulate all the participants, representing diverse sectors such as agriculture, fashion, catering, retail, event management and technology services, drawn from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria,” she said.
The First Lady further highlighted the diversity of the participants, saying they represent the strength and resilience of Nigerian women, from university students eager to explore digital opportunities to business owners seeking innovation for business expansion.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Company Limited, Chris Lu, praised the partnership with Nigeria and the Renewed Hope Initiative, describing the programme as a global effort to place women at the forefront of the digital economy.
He said, “Today, we are experiencing a world of opportunities and innovation where technology defines progress. Empowering women with digital skills is not just a matter of inclusion but a necessity for national progress, and we know when women rise, nations thrive.”
Lu noted that the programme had united women from different parts of Nigeria in the pursuit of innovation and technological advancement. “Over the past one year, we have witnessed something inspiring where women across the six geopolitical zones came together to learn, innovate and to embrace technology. To our finalists, you’re all ambassadors of digital innovation and change; please go forth and impact others in your communities. Let us remember that the Renewed Hope is a reality where we all need to build together,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi, described the initiative as a perfect fit for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
He commended both Mrs Tinubu and Huawei for the collaboration, saying, “Mr Chris said when you empower women, a nation rises, and I want to add to it that when you empower a man, you empower an individual, but when you empower a woman, you empower a nation. Your initiative resonates deeply across the nation, and every organisation is proud to associate with you. We thank you for the leadership and partnership, and in NITDA, we don’t take it for granted.”
Abdullahi further stated that the ceremony was not just a graduation event but a celebration of women who have become ambassadors of digital transformation. “Therefore, today, we are not just celebrating the participants of women in tech training, but we are celebrating ambassadors; we are celebrating families and communities,” he said.
He appreciated the First Lady’s visionary leadership and commitment to human capital development, adding that her work through the Renewed Hope Initiative continues to empower women and youths across Nigeria. “Your Excellency, thank you for your visionary leadership. Through RHI, you are driving women empowerment, youth empowerment and Nigerian empowerment. We always want to partner with you for human capital development,” he said.
Abdullahi also described the collaboration as a “triangle of hub” involving the Renewed Hope Initiative, Huawei Technologies, and the national digital strategy. “For me today, we are creating a triangle of hub. We have the vision set by our mother, Mrs Tinubu, to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind especially the women and youth. We have our partner, Huawei Technology, empowering us with the tools and technology that are globally recognised with certificates that can be taken anywhere to succeed in life. We also have the national strategy, which is deeply rooted in our President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Therefore, this training aligned perfectly with the national strategy,” he said.
He encouraged the participants to see their certificates as keys to greater opportunities. “Don’t be afraid to be the first in your community and to be the best,” he advised.
During the event, certificates were presented to representatives from each geopolitical zone. For the South-East, the representative was Euphemia Augusta from Imo State; for the South-South, Chiagozie Efe-Ovirie from Delta State; for the South-West, Yusus Hats from Lagos State; for the North-Central, Amos Marvellous from the Federal Capital Territory; for the North-East, Bakari Betis from Adamawa State; and for the North-West, Binta Charanchi from Katsina State.
