A non-governmental organisation, Build Nigeria Initiative, has introduced a new programme aimed at increasing the participation of women and girls in Nigeria’s technology sector.
The initiative, titled Build-4-Today Women in Tech AI Hackathon 2026, was unveiled in Abuja, with organisers saying it is designed to equip participants with practical skills in digital innovation and artificial intelligence.
Founder of the organisation, Jude Obiejesi, said the hackathon would enable young women to develop technology-driven solutions to real-life challenges in areas such as governance, small and medium enterprises, and education.
He explained that the programme, organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Wema Bank, and other partners, will be conducted both online and physically from April.
Obiejesi noted that the initiative was developed in response to the low representation of women in the technology and artificial intelligence ecosystem, stressing that empowering girls with tech skills is key to driving inclusive innovation and national development.
“The hackathon is open to young women passionate about solving real-world problems using technology, including students, graduates, and entrepreneurs,” he said.
He added that participants would undergo structured activities such as training workshops, mentorship sessions, team collaboration, prototype development, and pitch presentations.
According to him, top-performing teams will receive awards, mentorship opportunities, and exposure to potential investors to support the growth of their ideas.
Also speaking, Executive Director of the Lola Cater Foundation, Ololade Ogunubi, said the initiative would create opportunities for women and girls to thrive in the tech space.
She expressed concern over the low percentage of women in technology, emphasising the need for early engagement to close the gender gap.
Similarly, founder of the New Africa Group, Gift Chidima, described the programme as a step towards improving gender balance in science and technology, urging more women to embrace opportunities in artificial intelligence and innovation.