NCC, FSI expand women’s access to tech jobs
AI Executive Briefing
Gemini Flash AI~45s readThe Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Financial Services Innovators (FSI) successfully concluded an eight-week software testing training programme for 95 female university students in Northern Nigeria. This initiative, part of the SmartGirls Initiative Africa, aims to reduce the gender gap in technology by providing practical skills and direct pathways to industry internships.
Context & Background
- ✦The programme addresses the gender gap in the Nigerian technology sector by providing technical training and mentorship to women from diverse academic backgrounds.
- ✦Participants faced infrastructural challenges during the training, including unreliable internet connectivity and power supply interruptions, which necessitated an extension of the original six-week schedule.
Key Figures & Named Entities
•Dr. Aituaz Kola-Oladejo, Executive Director of FSI, emphasized that bridging the gender gap requires practical training and clear employment pathways.•Khadija Danhassan, a student at the National Open University of Nigeria, was the top performer with a score of 93.5 per cent.
Outlook & Next Steps
FSI plans to use insights gained from this edition to improve future training accessibility and intends to expand the SmartGirls Initiative Africa to reach more women across Nigeria and other African countries.
Key Takeaways
AI Summary- The NCC and FSI trained 95 female university students in Northern Nigeria in software testing to bridge the gender gap in the technology sector.
- The eight-week programme received 590 applications, highlighting significant interest in digital careers among young women across five Northern states.
- 15 top-performing participants were selected for a five-week professional internship at GoAssurify Limited starting in November.
Key Facts:8 August to 26 September 2026: The software testing programme was conducted over an eight-week period.November: Successful candidates are scheduled to begin their professional internships.
Editorial Excerpt
The NCC and FSI have expanded women's access to tech jobs by training 95 female students in Northern Nigeria, with 15 selected for internships.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
What specific technical skills were taught during the programme?
Participants were trained in software testing principles, software development life cycle models, test case design, defect management, web application testing, and API testing using tools like Jira and Postman.
Which states in Nigeria were targeted for this initiative?
The programme targeted female students across Kano, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Sokoto, and Katsina states.
