The Christian Aid (UK) Nigeria and ACT Alliance, under the aegis of DigitALL coalition have urged the Nigerian government at all levels to incorporate Practical Digital Technology Education for girls into the Basic Education Curriculum to promote gender equality in Nigeria.
The Christian Aid Country Director, Temitope Fashola, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja as part of activities marking this year’s International Women Day (IWD).
He said, “According to the 2022 World Economic Forum (WEF) Report, the Digital Innovation and Technology sector contributed 18.44% to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2022 with a projection of more future leaps.
“However, only 30 percent of 93 surveyed technology companies are owned by women, and more than one-third of these companies have no female employees. This glaringly indicates that the rapid growth of the digital innovation sector in Nigeria is largely dominated by men.
“This disparity can be attributed to limited digital technology skills fueled by poverty, cultural bias towards the girl-child education, and lack of female venture funding and mentorship.
“If this trend continues, Nigeria will lose out on the benefits of having an inclusive technology ecosystem, and lag in the achievement of gender equality for all by 2023; Sustainable Development Goal 5,” Fashola said.
The Act Alliance Coalition comprises of five organisations, Christian Aid (UK) Nigeria, Christian Council of Nigeria, Norwegian Church Aid, World Renew, and Mission 21.
