Over 200 Nigerian women from diverse professional sectors attended an intensive Artificial Intelligence (AI) training programme in Abuja on Tuesday, part of a collaborative effort by the Federal Government and technology experts to expand female participation in the digital economy.
The event brought together women working in health, media, public service, and development to learn practical AI skills designed to boost productivity, improve decision‑making, and strengthen workplace performance.
Dr Olubunmi Ajala, National Director of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), said the “AI for Women” initiative was created to help move women “from being consumers of technology to innovators and contributors in shaping AI development.” According to Ajala, women have a “critical role to play in ensuring that this technology is both ethical and inclusive,” with applications already transforming sectors such as medicine, agriculture, journalism and commerce.
Dr Kunle Kakanfo, Founder of Africa Health for Innovation and Development and convener of the programme, highlighted the importance of addressing gender imbalances in access to AI tools, noting that the training had been expanded from an initial target of 35 participants in response to strong interest.
The training also stressed the responsible use of AI. Dr Zainab Muhammad‑Idris, National President of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, told delegates that ethical deployment in fields such as healthcare is essential to avoid misinformation that can have potentially harmful consequences.
Participants were encouraged to share what they learned in their workplaces and communities to broaden AI literacy across Nigeria. Adekemi Omole, Gender and Inclusion Lead at the Policy Innovation Centre, cited research showing productivity gains when AI is effectively applied.
One attendee, Abosede Famuyiwa, Chief Accountant at the Legal Aid Council, said the training enhanced her understanding of tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot, especially in areas like prompt engineering and practical professional use.
Organisers offered the programme at no cost, reflecting ongoing Federal Government efforts to equip women with skills for meaningful participation in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
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