Nigeria Celebrates Young Female Innovators as National Girls in ICT Competition Produces 111 Winners
According to the minister, more than 3,700 girls from Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory participated in this year's competition, with 111 emerging as national winners.
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting digital inclusion and empowering young women in technology, as winners and participants of the 2026 National Girls in ICT Competition were honoured at a special dinner hosted at the State House, Presidential Villa.
The event was attended by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, and featured Oluremi Tinubu as the Special Guest of Honour.
Speaking after the event, Tijani described the dinner as a fitting conclusion to a week-long programme that highlighted the creativity, innovation and potential of young Nigerian girls from across the country.
According to the minister, more than 3,700 girls from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory participated in this year’s competition, with 111 emerging as national winners. He said the participants’ ideas and presentations demonstrated that talent is widespread across the country and underscored the need to ensure equal access to opportunities.
Tijani commended the First Lady for engaging directly with the participants and listening to their ideas, noting that her presence sent a strong message that the ambitions and contributions of young women are valued at the highest levels of national leadership.
The minister emphasized that investing in girls is critical to building stronger communities, fostering a more inclusive digital economy, and securing a prosperous future for Nigeria. He added that the National Girls in ICT Competition remains one of the ministry’s flagship initiatives aimed at increasing the participation of girls and young women in technology-related fields.
He said the initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in the country’s digital transformation journey while creating opportunities for young people to develop skills, innovate, and lead.
Tijani also acknowledged the role of teachers, mentors, and the project team within the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for their contributions to the programme’s success.
He further expressed appreciation to key partners and sponsors, including the Korea International Cooperation Agency, National Information Technology Development Agency, and Nigerian Postal Service, for supporting efforts to nurture the next generation of Nigerian innovators.
The National Girls in ICT Competition is designed to encourage greater participation of girls and young women in science, technology, engineering, and digital innovation, helping to bridge gender gaps in the country’s growing technology sector.
