The tech industry in Nigeria has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, positioning itself as a hub for innovation and digital transformation. However, a persistent issue threatens to hinder its full potential – the gender gap. Despite strides in technological advancements, women remain significantly underrepresented in the Nigerian tech sector.
According to a 2022 report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), only 22% of the Nigerian tech workforce is composed of women. This glaring gender disparity is echoed in educational institutions, where enrollment in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs sees a notable gender skew. The UNESCO Institute for Statistics reveals that women constitute only 30% of tertiary enrollment in STEM-related fields.
Various factors contribute to the gender gap in Nigeria’s tech industry. Socio-cultural norms and expectations often discourage girls from pursuing STEM education and careers. A study by the International Journal of Gender, Science, and Technology highlights societal biases that perpetuate gender stereotypes, dissuading young girls from considering tech-related professions.
A 2021 survey conducted by Tech Cabal found that women in the Nigerian tech industry face challenges such as workplace discrimination, limited mentorship opportunities, and unequal access to resources. These barriers hinder women’s professional growth and contribute to the persistent gender gap.
Closing the gender gap in Nigeria’s tech industry would require extra community effort from both genders in the industry.
The Girls into Tech Bootcamp is an initiative created by NoCode Africa, Eelspace, and Lagos Based to support more women in tech. It is a free online bootcamp designed to actively contribute to narrowing the gender gap in the Nigerian tech industry.
The first phase of the program is scheduled to last for three weeks. Within this period, participants get the opportunity to learn firsthand skills and get mentorship from industry experts to help them navigate their way into tech.
The program will cover various tech routes through the three-week intensive courses, including Intro to NoCode programming for web and mobile apps, web development with Bootstrap (HTML, CSS, and JS), UI/UX, digital marketing with a focus on SEO, social media marketing, and overviews from speakers on topics relating to other tech routes such as Data analytics, Cyber Security, Raising funds for your tech projects, and more.
During the last week of the program, participants will be grouped into teams of three members. They will be expected to pool their skills together and work on delivering a simple but problem-solving product or, at the very least, present a sound proposal with snippets of the product.
The group with the best problem-solving product will be rewarded with the sum of 200 thousand Naira and offered long-term mentorship to bring the product to life. There will also be up to 100GB Data giveaways for active learners.
The program will feature the likes of David Orok (NoCode Developer and Tech Enterpreneur) a three-time startup founder and tech entrepreneur, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Uyo, Nigeria, and an MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology, USA. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Technological Entrepreneurship at Innopolis University, Russia, he founded Nocode Africa to teach Africans how to create apps without coding, training over 4,000 people for free on YouTube.
David is now developing a platform for learning Nocode Development through curated video courses by global experts. The platform aims to facilitate job opportunities for Nocode developers and Ui / Ux designers worldwide.
Tobi Akinrinmade (Front-End Developer & SEO Expert) is the founder of Lagos Based a media outlet dedicated to telling the African story. Tobi is a skilled front-end developer, and he holds a master’s degree in international management from the University of West England and another MSc in digital marketing from the University of Northumbria.
Tobi has assisted businesses in achieving first-page Google rankings for their core keywords, resulting in a sales increase of more than 75%, his strategy revolves around enhancing the user experience by designing seamless and user-friendly interfaces and optimizing content for specific user journeys. He is an advocate for bridging the gender gap in the Nigerian tech space.
Ruth Oye (Social Media Marketing Expert) a seasoned marketing professional with over four years of experience, excelled in social media marketing at Ruchii Events and Anakle Limited.
As the Brand and Social Media Marketing Manager at Kippa, she achieved a 20% increase in engagements, growing the Instagram following from 3k to over 69k. Ruth’s leadership resulted in a 40% reduction in customer complaints.
Currently pursuing an MSC in Marketing at the University of Bradford, she exemplifies a commitment to continuous learning in the digital landscape. Ruth Oye stands out as a visionary in marketing, showcasing expertise and impactful results.
Anya Justina (UI/UX expert) is a Lead UI/UX Designer, Product Manager at CashToken Rewards Africa, and CEO of Wakatee, she specializes in creating innovative digital experiences. With a deep understanding of aesthetics and functionality, she empowers visionaries to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape.
Her expertise in UI/UX Design and Product Management has been instrumental in developing user-centric designs that are both captivating and effective.
Recognized for innovation, her work epitomizes the fusion of creativity and functionality.
The program will start in the third week of January 2024.
To register, visit: https://forms.gle/QKRj86QMRt1F97A4A
For inquiries, partnership, or sponsorship, please fill this form: https://forms.gle/1LhjBieJ6wMKEfW46
