The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has launched an 18-month project aimed at bridging the gender digital divide and expanding access to economic opportunities in the digital space for women and girls in Nigeria. The project, titled “Addressing the Gender Digital Divide and Expanding Business Opportunities for Women and Girls in Northern Nigeria (Agenda-WINNIG),” targets 25,000 women and girls in Bauchi and Kano States. This initiative seeks to equip them with essential skills in digital literacy, online safety, digital hygiene, and entrepreneurship.
The project, which began in February 2026 and will run until July or August 2027, focuses on improving women’s and girls’ access to digital opportunities, particularly in rural communities. According to Fatima Babakura, the programme manager of the project, the initiative comprises three major components. These include basic digital literacy and online safety, computer-based testing (CBT) coaching for secondary school students, and digital entrepreneurship for women and girls. This multi-faceted approach aims to address the diverse needs of the target beneficiaries.
Under this project, 15,000 women and girls will receive training in basic digital literacy, online safety, and digital hygiene. This training is designed to empower them with the skills needed to navigate the digital world safely and effectively. Additionally, 5,000 final-year secondary school girls preparing for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination will receive CBT training. This will enable them to develop the necessary computer skills to sit for computer-based examinations confidently.
The project also includes training 5,000 additional women and girls in digital entrepreneurship. This component emphasizes using digital platforms to market products, reach a wider customer base, and expand businesses into the online marketplace. By doing so, the project aims to enhance their economic opportunities and promote sustainable livelihoods. The beneficiaries will be drawn from Bauchi and Kano states, ensuring that women and girls in these regions are not left behind as digital technologies increasingly shape education, business, and economic opportunities.
CITAD organized a state-level stakeholder engagement in Bauchi to identify challenges and barriers affecting women’s and girls’ participation in the digital space. The engagement aimed to obtain recommendations to strengthen the project’s implementation. According to Babakura, the recommendations from stakeholder engagements at the state and federal levels will inform the development of a policy brief. This brief will address the gender digital divide and improve access to digital opportunities, ensuring a more inclusive digital landscape.
Mujahid Ibrahim, CITAD Programme Officer and head of the Bauchi team, highlighted the Centre’s efforts to engage communities across the state. The goal is to better understand the challenges women and girls face in accessing and benefiting from digital technologies and economic opportunities. CITAD is working with community-based organizations and local networks to mobilize beneficiaries, particularly those in hard-to-reach communities. This collaborative approach will facilitate the identification and mobilization of beneficiaries for the various training programs.
The project is being implemented across the 20 local government areas of Bauchi State, with community mobilizers supporting the identification and mobilization of beneficiaries. By working closely with local stakeholders, CITAD ensures that the project is tailored to the specific needs of the communities. This localized approach will enhance the project’s effectiveness and sustainability, ultimately contributing to a more equitable digital future for women and girls in Nigeria.
Key points
- CITAD's project targets 25,000 women and girls in Bauchi and Kano States.
- The project focuses on digital literacy, online safety, and digital entrepreneurship.
- The initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide and expand economic opportunities.
