Huawei Nigeria Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to training more female students in digital skills through its Huawei ICT Academy Programme, as part of efforts to promote gender inclusion in Nigeria’s technology sector.
The Director of Strategy at Huawei Nigeria, Eric Chen, disclosed this at an event held in Abuja ahead of the 2025 International Women’s Day, according to a statement on Monday.
The Huawei ICT Academy programme, launched in collaboration with Nigerian universities, offers training in information and communications technology to help students acquire industry-relevant skills.
Chen said the company would continue to invest in training initiatives that empower women with digital skills, especially through its Women in Tech programme implemented in partnership with the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“It is exciting to see so many young faces here today. It reminds me of when I was your age, trying to find my place in the world of technology. But unlike my time, you now have access to structured learning and mentorship programs,” Chen stated.
In her remarks, Director of Policy, Research, and Strategy at the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Mrs. Comfort Kabirwa, praised Huawei for its investment in the empowerment of young women in the tech sector.
“As we celebrate the achievements of these remarkable women, we must also recognise the challenges that persist. Women make up only 26 per cent of the global tech workforce, which means there is still a long way to go in bridging the gender gap,” Kabirwa noted.
She stressed that fostering gender inclusivity in ICT is not just a moral obligation but a critical strategy for national development.
Senior Public Relations Manager at Huawei Nigeria, Oyin Abiola, underscored the company’s dedication to talent development.
“We have over 30,000 students in our ICT Academy across 190 universities and have trained over 240 women in our Women in Tech programme. These young women here today were selected for their exceptional performance, and their success stories reaffirm our commitment to nurturing ICT talent in Nigeria,” Abiola said.
Among the beneficiaries of the Huawei ICT Academy, Aguamara Chinjumubi, a 500-level student of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, expressed her excitement about the programme.
“I have acquired tech skills I never imagined possible, thanks to Huawei Technologies,” she said. “To young ladies aspiring to enter the ICT sector, Huawei ICT Academy is the best place to start your journey.”
Similarly, Emma Essoe, a cybersecurity student at Igbinedion University, Okada, and one of the three ladies from the first-ever all-female team in the Academy, spoke about how the programme has boosted her career.
“I have gained multiple certifications, many of which people would usually pay hundreds of dollars for. This opportunity has significantly shaped my career path,” she said.