… As Students Showcase Innovative AI Creations
The society needs to help young girls participate actively in the growth, development and use of ICTs in the quest to balance the gender disparity in the career field.
This is the message at the just concluded International Girls in ICT Day organized by eBusiness Life Communication Limited under the theme, “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future”. The event served as a strategic platform to inspire, mentor, and empower young girls to actively participate in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
In her welcome address, the Convener and Chief Executive Officer of e-Business Life Communication Limited, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro, underscored the transformative potential of women and girls in technology and stressed the urgent need to dismantle barriers limiting female participation in STEM fields.
She highlighted the widening global ICT skills gap and emphasized that empowering girls with digital competencies is critical to socio-economic development, innovation, and inclusive growth.
Mrs. Emuophedaro said the annual International Girls in ICT Day celebration had grown into a major platform for inspiring young girls to embrace careers in technology and digital innovation.
She declared: “Today, we challenge that narrative. We stand united to break down barriers, defy stereotypes, and pave the way for a future where every girl, regardless of background or circumstance, feels empowered to pursue her passion for technology.”
Emuophedaro further emphasised the need to ensure equal access for women and girls to leadership training, scholarships, career development opportunities and fellowships, while also addressing gender bias and societal stereotypes.
Citing ITU statistics, she disclosed that the global ICT industry may face skills deficit of more than two million jobs over the next five years. She pointed out that girls who acquire skills in coding, App development and computer science would not only be well-positioned for careers in the technology sector but would also enjoy competitive advantages in virtually every profession.
According to her, empowering girls to pursue ICT careers goes beyond personal advancement, as it contributes significantly to national socio-economic development. She noted that over 417,000 girls and young women had participated in more than 11,590 International Girls in ICT Day celebrations across 175 countries worldwide.
Speaking on this year’s theme, Mrs. Emuophedaro described the event as more than a ceremony. “Today is more than just an event. It is a movement. It is a call to action,” she stated, adding that the programme sought to remind every girl that her ideas, creativity and intelligence matter in shaping society and technology.
She observed that the world is currently experiencing one of the most significant technological revolutions in human history, with Artificial Intelligence transforming learning, communication, business, healthcare, agriculture and numerous other sectors. She insisted that girls should not merely consume technology but should become “inventors, engineers, programmers, innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and leaders building the future.”
The Girls-in-ICT convener maintained that early exposure to technology enables girls to envision themselves as engineers, cybersecurity specialists, AI developers, robotics engineers and technology entrepreneurs. She emphasised that the future of work is increasingly digital and that careers such as AI specialists, robotics engineers, cybersecurity analysts and cloud computing experts would dominate the global economy in the coming years.
A major feature of the conference was the interactive student panel, which provided first-hand insights into how young girls perceive and utilise Artificial Intelligence.
Students participants identified AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Meta AI as valuable resources for learning, creativity, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving, while cautioning against overdependence on such technologies.
The discussions revealed that although AI presents immense opportunities, girls continue to face significant challenges, including gender stereotypes, limited access to digital resources, inadequate funding, and societal expectations that discourage female participation in technology.
The students unanimously advocated for increased mentorship, parental support, awareness creation, and responsible integration of AI into educational curricula.
The discussion provided valuable insights into how young girls perceive and use AI, the opportunities the platform offers, and the challenges girls face in accessing and thriving in technology-related fields, while also underscoring that AI is transforming education and entrepreneurship. However they noted that achieving gender equity in technology requires intentional efforts to eliminate stereotypes, expand access, promote digital literacy, and create supportive environments where girls can confidently explore, innovate, and lead in the AI ecosystem.
The Women in ICT Partners’ Panel Session further reinforced the message that technology is accessible to all irrespective of academic background or socio-economic status.
The panel emphasized emerging opportunities in high-demand fields such as cybersecurity, data science, data analytics, UI/UX design, and networking, while stressing that Artificial Intelligence should be viewed as an enabler rather than a threat. Participants also underscored the importance of mathematics, logical reasoning, and lifelong learning in preparing girls for future careers.
The conference showcased exceptional innovation and creativity among participating students through exhibitions of practical AI-driven and technology-based solutions addressing societal challenges.
Projects presented included an Emergency Distress Application, Flood Detection System with GSM integration, AI-powered Study Cards, Waste Intelligence Nexus, Smart Irrigation System, and EDUVERSE AI educational platform. These innovations demonstrated the capacity of young girls to leverage technology in solving real-world problems across sectors such as security, education, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and disaster management.
The event featured hands-on AI and Quiz competitions. For the Quiz competition, Reagan Memorial College, Yaba took the top spot, while Baptist Girls Academy, Lagos, and Triple Crown Academy, Ketu came 2nd and 3rd respectively. Faith Academy, Ota, came first in the AI hands-on technology competition, followed by Reagan Memorial College, Yaba and Peaklane International College, Akute, Ogun State.
