The Wife of the President and National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, made a passionate call. She urged women to use technology to counter the negative narrative about Nigeria circulating online and abroad. According to her, this narrative stands in stark contrast to Nigeria’s true national values and identity.
She encouraged women to build a strong foundation for Nigeria’s future in technology over the next decade. This message was delivered during the opening ceremony of a two-day Women in Tech Skills Training. The training was designed for women entrepreneurs in the South-South region and was organized by RHI in partnership with Huawei.
The event took place at the African Centre for Excellence, University of Port Harcourt, attracting women from diverse backgrounds. Represented by Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, Senator Tinubu emphasized that women have a critical role in reshaping Nigeria’s image. In her speech, she noted the immense challenges facing the country, particularly negative perceptions circulating through cyberspace. She stated that every citizen, especially women, must actively work to change the narrative in Nigeria’s favour.
Senator Tinubu described the partnership with Huawei as a key step toward raising the presence of women in Nigeria’s tech industry. She further stressed the need for women to break barriers and create opportunities within technology-driven disciplines, both locally and internationally.
“Every Nigerian woman has great potential,” Tinubu said, urging participants to build networks, improve skills, and mentor younger women in tech. She reminded attendees that deliberate planning and focused training can elevate Nigerian women to compete with global leaders in tech. According to her, countries like Germany and France achieved success in tech through strategic planning and training programs.
She also highlighted the various obstacles faced by women in tech, such as gender bias and lack of leadership representation. The goal of the training is to equip women with the skills to overcome these challenges and thrive in the industry. The Renewed Hope Initiative aims to foster women’s productivity and promote representation in technology sectors across the country.
Senator Tinubu believes that Nigeria’s future in technology is bright, with women playing a pivotal role in shaping it. The event also featured the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Owunari Georgewill. He expressed gratitude to Senator Tinubu for her initiative in empowering women with valuable tech skills.
Prof. Georgewill also praised Huawei for partnering with RHI, highlighting the long-standing collaboration between the university and the tech giant. The training program is part of the larger mission to enhance IT skills, such as networking and cybersecurity, among students and women.
In her welcome address, Huawei’s Country Representative, Dr. Nihinlola Fafori, highlighted the importance of technology in empowering women entrepreneurs. She noted that the program aims to cover all regions of Nigeria, providing vital tools for business growth and innovation.
During the Training Overview, Huawei Consultant Chinedu Ogbiede emphasized the benefits of women embracing technology to transform their businesses and communities. With this training, women will gain practical knowledge to improve their employability and launch tech-driven ventures.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mrs. Efe Ovrine thanked the Wife of the President for her forward-thinking vision. She promised to utilize the newly acquired skills to positively impact her business and contribute to societal growth.
