Ladies In Tech Conference: Ooni of Ife’s NGO, French Embassy Groom Nigerian Girls On Sustainable Careers In Technology

A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) of His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan-Ogunwusi, Hopesalive Initiative for Africa (HAI Africa) with facilitating support from the French Embassy in Nigeria (FEF-CSO- Grant) held a conference in Lagos with the aim of giving technological empowerment to Nigerian girls from different humble backgrounds for them to begin an inspiring and profitable life in the world of tech through a program tagged She-Levate: Elevate Her Voice, Code Her Future.

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 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.

The graduation ceremony will be held on Friday, 31 October 2025 at the University of Lagos in Akoka.

While speaking during the Ladies in Tech Conference, Her Regalia Majesty, Olori 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.