The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has pledged to support the digital empowerment of Shuwa Arab women in Nigeria through digital skills training and the provision of laptops to outstanding participants.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, made the pledge when he received the President of the Arab Women Association, Hajiya Hauwa Grema Mohammed, and members of the association during a courtesy visit.
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During the visit, Hajiya Hauwa Grema Mohammed introduced the association as an organisation committed to representing, connecting and empowering Shuwa Arab women across Nigeria, while promoting unity, preserving cultural heritage and creating opportunities for their social and economic advancement.
She disclosed that the association was officially launched on September 27 and highlighted some of its ongoing and proposed empowerment programmes targeting women and girls.
The initiatives include vocational skills training in tailoring, soap making and shoemaking, as well as Arabic language classes aimed at promoting cultural preservation and learning.
The association’s president appealed to NITDA for collaboration and support in strengthening the digital capacity of its members through digital skills training and the provision of laptops to enhance their participation in the digital economy.
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She also presented the association’s maiden magazine to the Director-General as part of the engagement.
Responding, Inuwa commended the association for its efforts towards women’s empowerment and cultural preservation, stressing the importance of integrating digital literacy into its existing programmes.
He noted that digital skills had become increasingly essential for economic participation, innovation and self-reliance, particularly as technology continues to create new opportunities across different sectors.
The NITDA Director-General advised the association to incorporate digital literacy training into its empowerment initiatives and assured it of the Agency’s support in providing the necessary training and laptops.
He further disclosed that the ten best-performing participants at the training would each receive a laptop as an incentive to encourage active participation, learning and practical application of the acquired digital skills.
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Inuwa also pledged the Agency’s support for the association’s forthcoming event scheduled for November 15, assuring that although he might be unable to attend personally, a representative from NITDA’s Digital Literacy Department would participate alongside the laptops.
The engagement highlights efforts to expand digital inclusion among women and underserved communities through strategic partnerships, skills development and improved access to technology.