IWD 2023: Why MTN celebrated 27 leading Nigerian women in ICT
The last two decades have been a defining period for Nigerian women in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as the industry continues to witness year on year rise in the number of women taking leadership positions and closing the wide gender gap in the sector.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says women make up 22% of the total number of Engineering and Technology university graduates each year and about a fifth of the total number of people working in the ICT sector.
As women are now gradually breaking the glass ceiling and challenging the tech career stereotype, the 2023 International Women’s Day themed, ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,’ highlights the role of innovative technology in promoting gender equality and meeting the health and developmental needs of women and girls.
While there’s still a lot to be done to further bridge the gender gap, it is also important to acknowledge how far the sector has gone and how the work and impact of some women have been inspiring different generations of women to chase their dream in tech where it was previously uncommon to see women at the top of the ladder.
To recognise these women whose impact and influence have previously been overshadowed, Nigeria’s leading telecom and ICT company, MTN Nigeria has selected 27 leading women in tech to spotlight their influence, impact and work that have earned high commendation.
The recognition is in commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day with the theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,” which highlights the role of innovative technology in promoting gender equality and meeting the health and developmental needs of women and girls.
The list comprises Professor Olayinka David-West and Dr Elizabeth Eterigho who are using their roles as academics to educate and mentor ICT leaders, Dr Lola Masha who is using the endless possibilities of tech to help local farmers in Nigeria to address the complexities in the agricultural value chain, Adia Sowho, Omobola Johnson, Funke Opeke, Odunayo Eweniyi and Yetunde Ojo, among others who are using their work in the nation’s ICT sector to make a remarkable impact.
The women on the list were selected based on their years of professional experience, their trailblazing achievements and the influence they’ve had on younger generations of female practitioners over the past two decades.
Their stories have served as inspiration for women to challenge stereotypes and pursue their dreams in ICT and are also helping to close the wide gender gap in the sector.
With the rise in the number of female tech leaders who have been disrupting the status quo with innovative tech solutions in finance, agriculture, business and healthcare among others, in the last decade, the selection of 27 women for this project is a result of a rigorous selection process.
