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Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commissioned the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Community ICT Centre in Ilorin, Kwara State. This is a significant push to expand digital access and economic empowerment.
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The initiative, launched in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) under its Social Investment Programme, aims to provide digital skills training and bridge the technology gap, particularly for women and youth.
Empowering Communities Through ICT
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Senator Tinubu emphasized the critical role of ICT knowledge in transforming lives, creating opportunities, and fostering self-reliance.
“The knowledge of ICT serves as a significant tool for empowering communities, especially women, enabling them to break traditional barriers and access new opportunities. By equipping themselves with ICT skills, women and girls can enhance their educational prospects, be self-reliant, participate in the global economy, and support their families,” she stated.
The First Lady highlighted that the centre aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes economic diversification through industrialization and digitalization. She reiterated the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to ensuring widespread digital access across Nigeria.
Driving Digital Inclusion and Economic Growth
The commissioning of the centre follows last year’s Women ICT Training and Empowerment Programme in Abuja, also spearheaded by RHI in partnership with NITDA. The initiative underscored the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in building a more inclusive digital future, particularly for Nigerian women.
Recognizing ICT as a transformative tool capable of bridging socio-economic gaps, Senator Tinubu encouraged the local community to take full ownership of the newly launched facility.
“The success of this centre depends on the active participation of the community. I urge you all to fully utilize the resources available and take advantage of the training opportunities to enhance your skills and improve your livelihoods,” she said.
N50 Million Grant for Women Entrepreneurs in Kwara
In addition to the ICT centre, the First Lady also announced an economic empowerment grant of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000) under the RHI Economic Empowerment Programme. The grant will support 1,000 women petty traders in Kwara State, each receiving N50,000 to recapitalize and expand their businesses.
“In the spirit of today’s event, the Renewed Hope Initiative, under the RHI Economic Empowerment scope, will be presenting a grant of Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000) to the First Lady of Kwara State and RHI State Coordinator to support another set of 1,000 women petty traders with the sum of N50,000 each,” she announced.
Senator Tinubu expressed gratitude to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State for his continued support in implementing RHI programmes in the state.
A Legacy of Digital and Economic Advancement
The newly commissioned Amina Ndalolo Community ICT Centre will further advance digital inclusion and address the gender gap. It aims to equip women and youth in Kwara State with digital literacy, entrepreneurship skills, and access to economic opportunities.
With this initiative, the Federal Government, through NITDA and RHI, is reinforcing its dedication to bridging the digital divide, fostering innovation, and empowering Nigerians—especially women—to thrive in the evolving digital economy.
