Empowerment program expands ICT training to 36 states and FCT

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched an initiative to empower women across the country through information and communication technology (ICT) training. The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has expanded its ICT empowerment programs to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), aiming to equip women with digital skills and essential business tools that support entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.

According to Dr. Adedayo Benjamin‑Laniyi, Mandate Secretary for Women Affairs and FCT Coordinator of RHI, the program is designed to give women the skills needed to transform laptops into business centers. The nine‑day ICT training, which began on 11 November and will conclude on 19 November, is being conducted in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). Each beneficiary receives a laptop intended solely as a business tool for empowerment, and 40 women from each state and the FCT have been selected to participate.

The initiative is organized across six geopolitical zones to ensure equitable participation. Classroom sessions go beyond basic ICT training, emphasizing networking, mentorship, and collaboration among women to maximize their impact on the community. The program is inclusive, allowing every woman—regardless of her financial situation—to expand her skills, engage in digital entrepreneurship, and positively affect her environment. Beneficiaries are encouraged to mentor others, helping to grow skills and businesses while supporting other women and youths. Follow‑up support and monitoring are in place to ensure sustainable, long‑term impact.

The program forms part of the First Lady’s broader advocacy covering health, education, agriculture, and women’s empowerment, and it will continue to expand with advanced ICT courses and entrepreneurship modules. Beneficiaries have already given positive feedback, praising the program for opening new opportunities. Hauwa Musa, a sachet‑water trader from Abaji, FCT, said the training improved her small‑business skills, teaching her how to use laptops, brand products, network, communicate with customers, and expand her business. Another participant noted that the program enabled her to run her tailoring business online, reaching customers beyond her town.

The goal of the initiative is to create a digitally empowered generation of women who can compete locally and globally. With the expansion of ICT empowerment programs to all 36 states and the FCT, the Renewed Hope Initiative is taking a significant step toward this goal, providing women with the skills and tools necessary to succeed in the digital economy.