Young Nigerians are going digital, but where are the girls?

Young Nigerians are becoming increasingly digitised, but cultural barriers, poverty, and unequal access exclude young women from digital opportunities. Data from the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics and the United Nations Children’s Fund, revealed that only 6.2 percent of young women aged 15–24 have basic information and communication technology (ICT) skills, compared to 9 percent of young men. To address this gap, the Nigerian government should invest in ICT training programmes in schools, especially in rural and underserved areas, and collaborate with civil society and the private sector to promote gender-inclusive digital literacy. They should also adopt policies that tackle barriers like gender bias, period struggles, and domestic responsibilities.

Without ICT skills, women lose access to online learning opportunities and careers in the ICT sector. Section 18 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) mandates equal and adequate educational opportunities, as well as the promotion of science and technology. The government, through the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, should invest in ICT training programmes in schools, ensuring that such programmes reach the communities where the gap is most critical. The ministries can partner with civil society organisations that already work in underserved communities to understand the barriers that girls face and to design practical, context-specific interventions that address those barriers. For example, ActionAid Nigeria is an organisation committed to advancing social justice and promoting gender equality in marginalised communities. Partnering with organisations like ActionAid Nigeria would help tailor ICT programmes to communities where girls are at the highest risk of digital exclusion.

Closing the gender gap in digital literacy would require the integration of ICT into the national education curriculum. This integration will ensure equal access to digital education and create opportunities to empower young women to engage fully in learning, entrepreneurship, and the digital economy. In addition, teachers need training in digital skills, while schools need the infrastructure, including computers and internet connectivity. This training and infrastructure will enable students to acquire and practise digital skills and guarantee future career opportunities.

Existing initiatives, such as Digital Skills for Women & Girls by Women in Technology in Nigeria and free digital skills training by Women Techsters, show the potential of gender-responsive digital literacy programmes. However, their reach remains limited, particularly in rural areas where awareness of these organisations is lacking. Expanding these initiatives through partnerships with the government and other community-based organisations would significantly improve ICT access and help close Nigeria’s gender-based digital divide. Expansion can include offering mentorship opportunities with female technology professionals and using community-based platforms, such as women’s groups, vocational centres, and online hubs, to deliver digital literacy training. This expansion would bring digital skills training closer to underserved communities, increasing young women’s access, creating sustained pathways for them, and building their confidence to engage meaningfully in the digital economy.

Government and private sector initiatives should incorporate gender-inclusive strategies that consider the specific barriers to girls. An example is the 3 Million Technical Talent programme, a Nigerian government initiative to train young Nigerians in technical skills and strengthen the country’s digital economy. To implement these gender-inclusive strategies, the government and its partners should offer flexible training schedules and foster safe, supportive learning environments. Additionally, they should provide menstrual hygiene support and reduce barriers by offering childcare options or stipends that alleviate household burdens for girls. Providing these support mechanisms will ensure that more girls engage fully in digital skills training programmes without restriction by gender-specific barriers, increasing their chances of completing training and accessing opportunities in the digital economy.

Nigeria must prioritise inclusive digital advancement by guaranteeing equal access to ICT skills training and infrastructure for women and girls. Women’s digital inclusion is certain to diversify the country’s talent pool and stimulate the national development that Nigeria needs to compete at the global level.

Ayomide Eweje is a writing fellow at African Liberty.

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