Stakeholders have called for increased support to encourage girls to pursue careers in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), saying greater participation is critical to bridging the gender gap in the digital economy.
eBusinessLife’s girls in ICT event 2026
The call was made at the 2026 International Girls in ICT Day organised by eBusiness Life Communication Limited in Lagos, with the theme: “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future.”
The event brought together students, educators, technology experts and industry stakeholders to inspire young girls to embrace careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies.
Speaking at the event, the Convener and Chief Executive Officer of eBusiness Life Communication Limited, Mrs Ufuoma Emuophedaro, said empowering girls with digital skills was essential for innovation, economic growth and inclusive national development.
She stressed the need to eliminate barriers limiting female participation in technology and called for equal access to scholarships, mentorship, leadership opportunities and career development programmes.
“Today, we challenge the existing narrative. We stand together to break barriers, challenge stereotypes and create opportunities for every girl to pursue a career in technology,” she said.
Emuophedaro cited International Telecommunication Union (ITU) projections indicating that the global ICT industry could face a shortage of more than two million skilled professionals over the next five years.
According to her, girls equipped with skills in coding, application development and computer science would enjoy significant career opportunities across multiple sectors.
She noted that more than 417,000 girls and young women had participated in over 11,500 International Girls in ICT Day activities across 175 countries.
She described this year’s event as a movement aimed at encouraging girls to become innovators, software developers, entrepreneurs, researchers and technology leaders rather than merely consumers of digital technologies.
A student panel session highlighted how young girls are already leveraging AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Meta AI for learning, creativity and entrepreneurship.
The students, however, cautioned against excessive dependence on AI and identified gender stereotypes, limited access to digital resources, inadequate funding and societal expectations as major barriers to girls’ participation in technology.
They advocated increased mentorship, parental support, digital literacy programmes and the responsible integration of AI into school curricula.
The event also featured a Women in ICT Partners’ Panel, where participants encouraged girls to explore opportunities in cybersecurity, data science, data analytics, networking and user interface and user experience (UI/UX) design.
The panelists described artificial intelligence as an enabler capable of creating new opportunities rather than replacing human potential.
One of the highlights of the programme was an exhibition of technology-driven projects developed by students.
The innovations included an emergency distress application, a flood detection system with GSM integration, AI-powered study cards, a smart irrigation system, Waste Intelligence Nexus and the EDUVERSE AI educational platform.
The projects demonstrated how young girls are applying technology to solve real-life challenges in education, agriculture, environmental sustainability, disaster management and public safety.
The event also featured AI practical and quiz competitions.
Reagan Memorial College, Yaba, emerged winner of the quiz competition, while Baptist Girls Academy, Lagos, and Triple Crown Academy, Ketu, finished second and third respectively.
Faith Academy, Ota, won the AI practical competition, with Reagan Memorial College and Peaklane International College, Akute, Ogun State, taking second and third positions respectively.
