NITDA sets AI Policy document for Public feedback, envisages as household document for Nigerians
By Omolola Dede Adeyanju
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has disclosed information of finalizing the National AI Policy Document for public feedback, with the hope that once the document becomes a household document for all Nigerians to make use of, there can be maximum adoption of AI.
This message was conveyed by the Director General, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, who was ably represented by the head, innovations and Digital inclusion, Engr. Falilat Jimoh during the 2024 Women Entrepreneurs and Executives in Tech Summit (WEETS) in Lagos, themed, “AI Leadership: Navigating The Future of Women in Business.”
In his goodwill message, the DG noted statistics that 52.2% of young female entrepreneurs hold at least a bachelor’s degree, compared to 42.8% of their male counterparts. This growing trend of women-led businesses, Inuwa expressed, must be sustained to drive innovation, job creation, poverty reduction, and human development.
According to the 2023 State of Entrepreneurship in Nigeria report, 46% of startups in Nigeria are female-led, up from 39% in 2022. He said that women, alongside youths, are cornerstones of the economy and must be empowered to continue driving progress in the tech sector.
“NITDA recognizes the importance of innovation and how crucial it is to empower women in business with the necessary skills,” he said. “Our Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan for 2024-2027 (SRAP 2.0) dedicates a pillar to promoting inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services, with a focus on 40% women participation in all our capacity and skills development initiatives.”
Inuwa reiterated NITDA’s commitment to fostering a more digitally enabled economy and acknowledged the vital role of women in advancing Nigeria’s tech landscape. The DG pointed to initiatives like the “Digital Literacy for All” (DL4All) program, which aims to equip women with digital skills, ensuring their continued contribution to the tech ecosystem.
Referencing the 2023 Global Gender Gap Report, Inuwa noted that women currently make up 30% of the global AI workforce and 39% of the overall Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce. He stressed the importance of empowering women with relevant digital skills to help them impact their communities and capitalize on opportunities in AI and other emerging technologies.
“AI is being integrated into products and services across every sector of the economy,” Inuwa said, adding that Forbes projects the AI market could reach $407 billion by 2027 and up to $13 trillion by 2030. He emphasized that NITDA is poised to leverage this growth by engaging diverse sectors and promoting entrepreneurship among women.
Meanwhile, while speaking to newsmen, Engr Falilat Jumoh expressed that women are the major gender in need of AI the most. She examined women as multitasking beings, hence the necessity of AI adoption to make life much easier.
“At the moment, ” she stated, “we are about to finalize the National AI Policy Document with the public for feedback. We hope and wish that once the document becomes a household document for all Nigerians to make use of, we will be able to get maximum adoption of AI.”
Citing a few of the initiatives of NITDA to enhance tech development in Nigeria, she noted the Digital Literacy Initiative, 3MTT, to everything around startups, quality drive, all these are to make everyone adopt technology, adopt AI, including it to curriculums,
However, the CEO, Techlife and Convener, Women Entrepreneurs and Executives Tech Summit 2024, Ugochi Emmanuel, examined this year’s summit as a necessity “In our collective journey to empower women in the field of technology, leadership and business. We have gathered here under the compelling theme of AI leadership: Navigating the future of women in business.”
Ugochi noted the sacrosance to ensure that women aren’t left behind in the AI revolution, and are not just participants but leaders, innovators and trailblazers. The summit she remarked is dedicated to exploring the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and identifying the crucial role women can play in shaping the future of business through technology.
“The future of AI leadership depends on the knowledge, innovations and ideas that will emerge from panelists. The heart of this summit is the unwavering mission of WEET Foundation to empower women and girls. Through this foundation, we have continuously sought to breach the gap between women and the digital economy by equipping them with advanced digital skills, mentorship and opportunities to thrive in today’s technology.” she explained.
Ugochi therefore called on organizations and individuals to support in empowering women and girls for the digital economy. She envisaged a brighter future for women in the tech space and challenged them to navigate a future where women can lead in business.
Furthermore, the Secretary, National Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), Mr Chidiebere Nwankwo, submitted the association’s functions, he said, “We report everything on ICT, and we understand that ICT is in every sector. There have been a lot of discussions on AI but today we are taking a different look at the discourse as it affects Women so we want to make them understand that there is no gender bias as to how we can leverage Technology.
He encouraged a good discussion as regards the theme and urged participants to encourage other women to take up the lead in the digital space.
In his keynote address titled, ‘Women In tech: A change in you’, the CEO, Gabnath consulting, Mr Oluwaseyi Olufunmilayo explained that Organizations don’t change but People within organizations change, hence, every organization must understand their current state, their transition stage and know where they envisage.
He examined the Change management’s five building blocks of successful change in an individual with the acronym ‘ADKAR’, which is spelt to; Awareness; Desire; Knowledge; Ability and Reinforcement to sustain a change.
Oluwaseyi further advised the women, saying, “Change begins at the end of your comfort zone. Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Highlighting the Panel session, anchored by Mr Hilary Damisah with vibrant female panelists; Tinuade oguntuyi, Cynthia alabi,
Abimbola Ikumariegbe and Adebimpe Odulana,
The transnational technology leader, Tinuade Oguntuyi remarked “we can exhaust the topic of AI because I do configurations. Most women just want to consume technology, even when most things are least needed or not needed.” She advised that a woman should write a brag sheet on all she has ever achieved growing up.
“Whatever you do, you can make it stand out, we all cannot all do coding. AI is not taking your job but making you better.” In response to how women can leverage Soft Skills to push their careers forward, Tinuade submitted that Sometimes challenges come from people who will stretch and push you, then you have to make efforts. Hence she added, “I learn to connect with people daily. Emotional intelligence is needed in a woman in order to deal with pressure. Don’t only buy baby dolls for your daughters, you can also buy Jets and cars that they can learn how to repair.”
Cynthia alabi pinpointed the relevance of data collection and analysis for every female leader. To ensure figures and numbers are not scary for women, she stated, “We women are good at management, However, we forget this sometimes so we need to remember this always in order to grow our interest. “What you need to succeed is already in you. Whatever you decide to do, put your interest in it”
Examining how women can ensure Leadership doesn’t crash in the midst of men and ensure organizational goals are achieved. Cynthia disclosed the importance of data, “I always back my opinions, ideas and submissions with data. If they see the data, figures and numbers are accurate, it’s difficult to get your team members to argue. Always work with data to ensure your opinions are taken, also encourage others and be emotionally intelligent but don’t play on their emotions.” She added.
However, Abimbola Ikumariegbe described women as all rounders, she urged women to learn something from every field. “There are 68% of new skills for 2030, how can they be embraced and the women take advantage of it. Everyone is skilled. If you want to make progress in life, you need to learn new skills. I did my MBA 7 years after I graduated, there’s no age limit to advancement” she said.
In addition, Adebimpe Odulana mentioned that AI is not as difficult as we see, “You can learn how to prompt AI, At ALX, we have different programs targeted at teaching how to structure your business, pitch and find co-founders.” She added.
