Date: 23rd April 2026
Venue: Bjorn Beckham Hall, CITAD Main Branch, Kano State
Introduction
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) organized the Girls in ICT Day celebration at Bjorn Beckham Hall, CITAD Main Branch, Kano State. The event was held under CITAD’s project titled “Addressing the Gender Digital Divide and Expanding Business Opportunities for Women in Northern Nigeria.”
Girls in ICT Day is an annual global event dedicated to promoting the inclusion of girls and young women in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). CITAD used this occasion to inspire and encourage young girls to pursue careers in technology and contribute to closing the gender gap in the digital sector.
Purpose of the Celebration
The celebration aimed to:
- Inspire young girls to develop interest in ICT
- Promote digital skills and innovation among female students
- Highlight career opportunities in the technology sector
- Encourage confidence, creativity, and self-reliance
- Showcase successful women in ICT as role models
The event emphasized ICT as a pathway to opportunity, innovation, and empowerment for young women.
Overview of the Event
The programme brought together students, teachers, and stakeholders from different schools across Kano State. A total of eight schools participated, each represented by two students and one teacher.
Participating schools included:
Kano State Senior Secondary School Management Board (KSSSMB) Schools and Ministry of Science and Technology Schools
- Government Science Technical College, Sauna Kawaji
- Government Girls Secondary School, Jambulo
- Government Girls Secondary School, Isami
- Government Science Technical College, Dala
- Government Girls Secondary School, Hasana Sufi
- Government Science Secondary School, Maryam Aloma
- Government Science Secondary School, Mairo Tijjani
- Government Girls College
The Project Manager, Fatima Babakura, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the importance of Girls in ICT Day and CITAD’s commitment to empowering women and girls through digital skills development.
Panel Discussion
A key highlight of the event was the panel discussion facilitated by John Otaro, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer, who also chaired the session.
The panel created a platform for experienced women in technology to share their journeys, challenges, achievements and way forward while encouraging young girls to pursue careers in ICT and related fields.
Panelists Background
Hassanah Ibrahim Balarabe is a digital skills advocate, graphic designer, and marketing executive passionate about empowering young people, especially girls, through technology. She works with BluePage Software Ltd and has contributed to digital marketing and content development. She has participated in initiatives such as 3MTT Nigeria and YAKSA, supporting youth empowerment and ICT training. Through her work, she has impacted over 400 students with practical digital skills and continues to advocate for bridging the digital divide.
Engr. Naja’atu Kabir Mustapha is a computer engineer, tech entrepreneur, and lecturer from Kano State. She is the Founder and CEO of Kabdama Tech Consults and currently works with the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA). She previously served as Head of Department at Kano State Polytechnic. She holds a Master’s degree in Electronics Engineering and is currently pursuing a PhD in Communication Engineering. She is a COREN-registered engineer committed to mentoring young women and promoting inclusion in STEM and digital innovation.
Participants’ Reflections and Key Learnings
Participants reflected on their experiences and highlighted key lessons from the programme. A major issue discussed was the societal perception that discourages women from entering technical fields. However, participants emphasized that self-confidence and belief in one’s abilities are essential for success.
They also acquired practical ICT skills, including website development using WordPress, internet and data usage, and graphic design using tools such as PixelLab and PicsArt. These skills improved their digital competence and motivated them to explore further opportunities in technology and content creation and watching short videos.
Participants further noted that success requires persistence, problem-solving, and learning from failure.
Advice and Recommendations from Participants
Participants encouraged their peers to:
- Set clear goals and be intentional about learning
- Practice consistently to build skills
- Identify personal interests in ICT
- Seek mentorship and professional guidance
- Start small and remain consistent
- Build self-confidence and maintain a positive mindset
They emphasized that mentorship and support systems play a vital role in personal and professional growth.
Mentorship and Support Systems
The discussion highlighted the importance of mentorship in shaping career development. Participants noted that guidance from experienced professionals helped them stay focused and overcome challenges. They recommended building strong support networks where ideas can be shared and developed.
Opportunities for Women and Girls in ICT
Participants acknowledged ongoing efforts by government and organizations to promote girls’ participation in ICT. However, they noted that more support is needed, especially at the grassroots level. Barriers such as low confidence and limited awareness still affect participation despite available opportunities.
In conclusion, participants emphasized that opportunities exist in the ICT sector, but individuals must take initiative, build their capacity, and actively position themselves to benefit from them.
ICT Quiz and Awards Session
Following the panel discussion, John Otaro conducted an ICT quiz session to assess students’ knowledge and encourage active participation. The quiz motivated students to demonstrate their understanding of ICT concepts.
Eight students emerged as winners and received T-shirts and exercise books as prizes. Other participants also received exercise books as consolation gifts.
Conclusion
The Girls in ICT Day celebration successfully inspired and empowered young girls to explore opportunities in technology. Through panel discussions, interactive learning, and mentorship, participants were encouraged to build confidence, develop digital skills, and pursue careers in ICT.The event reaffirmed CITAD’s commitment to bridging the gender digital divide and expanding opportunities for women and girls in Northern Nigeria.
