Women in Tech Nigeria, MTN join forces to inspire inclusion, education in STEM ecosystem

In furtherance of its commitment to bridge the gender skills gap and foster an ecosystem that promotes women’s leadership and innovation, Women in Tech Nigeria, one of the world’s largest and leading community of women in the tech industry in collaboration with MTN Nigeria, recently held a highly successful International Women’s Day event themed ‘Inspiring Inclusion’ at the prestigious Radisson Blu, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, on Friday, April 26, 2024.

The event brought together a diverse array of voices and perspectives from leading players in the tech space, showcasing the remarkable achievements and contributions of women in technology and related fields. With a focus on fostering inclusion and diversity, the event featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions aimed at empowering and inspiring women in tech.

The partnership between WiTN and MTN for this event comes at a crucial time when the global tech industry is striving for greater representation and inclusivity. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to advancing gender equality and diversity within the tech industry. By leveraging their combined expertise and resources, both organizations showed immense commitment to driving tangible change to inspire future generations of women to pursue their passion for technology and contribute to building a more inclusive and innovative world.

Notable speakers at the event were Senior Manager, Delivery, UX & Automation, MTN Nigeria, Otasowie Ena-Umweni; Specialist in Advisory Services, Africa, Women’s World Banking, Olajumoke Daramole; Chief Commercial Officer, Sycamore, Onyinye Okonji; Marketing and Communications Lead, Nestcoin, Toyin ‘Liza’ Jolapamo; Ecosystem and Partnerships Lead, Propel, Wamide Animasaun; Founder Nexascale, Adora Nwodo; and Community Manager Women in Tech Nigeria, Ayobami Awode among several others.

The Inspiring Inclusion event stressed the importance of providing an enabling environment to drive inclusivity where every individual, regardless of gender, sex, religion, ethnicity, and socio-economic status feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique talents and perspectives.

Speaking during the opening, the Chapter Director of Women in Tech® Nigeria, Solape Akinpelu, shared that diversity is not just a buzzword, but a catalyst for innovation and progress. “Inclusion starts with a diverse workforce. Diverse and inclusive teams have shown to not only be highly profitable, but they are also more likely to develop products that are inclusive and cater to a wider range of people. Research shows that companies with advanced inclusive practices are four times more likely to create inclusive products,” she stated.

Solape who also is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of HerVest, an inclusive fintech that provides access to savings and impact investing opportunities for women noted that “inclusivity is about creating safe spaces and support networks for women in technology. Inspiring inclusion is also not a competitive rivalry between the sexes. Gender equality must not be seen as a zero-sum game where one sex loses to the other. There is a plethora of evidence to show that we can achieve more when we collaborate and prioritise our strengths.

“Through the establishment of women-led communities, forums, and networking events, we can foster an environment of solidarity, where women can share their experiences, challenges, and successes. By amplifying their voices and providing platforms for them to shine, we can reshape the narrative and inspire a new generation of women in tech.”

In her remarks, Senior Manager, Delivery, UX & Automation, MTN Nigeria, Otasowie Ena-Umweni said; “A diverse workforce not only fosters innovation but also addresses critical challenges and brings different perspectives to the table. By providing women with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in tech-related careers, we can all contribute to the broader goal of creating a more inclusive and equitable technology ecosystem.”