Hopesalive Initiative for Africa (HAI Africa), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) of His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan-Ogunwusi, with support from the French Embassy in Nigeria (FEF-CSO- Grant) have decided to expose Nigerian girls into the world of technology by giving them the nitty gritty of how to be self-sustained in a sector that seems to be dominated by the male folks.
This was the essence of the Ladies in Tech Conference put together by HAI Africa to give the women from vulnerable backgrounds the technological empowerment that will impact their life positive in the ever-changing world we live in.
The Ladies in Tech Conference was held on Tuesday, 28 October 2025 at the ACEDHARS Building inside the University of Lagos in Akoka, Lagos.
Before this conference, HAI Africa and the French Embassy had given a four-month intensive training on different aspects of tech developments to selected girls from Lagos communities for them to be beneficiaries of hands-on training, which has seen the girls mastered the digital arts ranging from Word Press Web Design, Frontend Web Development, Backend Development (Python/Django), UI/UX Design (Product Design), Data Analytics and Digital Marketing.
Apart from the training, the ladies also benefited from mentorship by respected industry professionals, career coaching, capstone projects, internship placements, and a vibrant alumni network to support them long after their graduation.
While speaking during the Ladies in Tech Conference, Her Regalia Majesty, Queen Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, who is the Deputy Convener of the Hopesalive Initiative for Africa said that the 60 beneficiaries were picked from the slumps and vulnerable communities in Lagos, adding that the “She-Levate” project is one of the several ways Ooni of Ife’s NGO sets out to bridge the gender gap in the digital economy.
“The philosophy behind this project is about purpose and impact,” said Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, who is also the Queen Mother of Africa” for the Pan-African Diplomatic Organization (AFRIDU).
She said: “These girls come from the slums and underserved communities. We saw in them a great future. I am deeply grateful to His Imperial Majesty for his support and passion for youth empowerment.”
The Project Manager, Mr. Akapo Olusegun, said that the She-Levate is organised to bridge the gender gap in Nigeria’s technology space so that there would be more women in the tech industry.
“At She-Levate, we are giving the ladies both skills and connections that can change their lives,” he said.
During the Ladies in Tech Conference, two panel sessions anchored by Ebuka Ozioma featured seasoned women in tech.
The sessions focused on transitioning from training to real impact – strategies for employability, mentorship, and sustaining women’s participation in tech careers and expanding collaborative strategies between government and private sector players to drive inclusive growth and open pathways for women in the digital economy.
The girls, who have been on tech training since July this year, will hold their graduation ceremony on Friday, 31 July 2025 at the University of Lagos in Akoka.
