FG Empowers Girls in Tech at National ICT Competition 2026

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, led by Bosun Tijani, is focused on empowering girls to create market-ready technology solutions. This initiative was highlighted during the grand final of the National Girls ICT Competition 2026 held in Abuja.

Tijani emphasized the importance of equipping young people with skills and mentorship to transform their ideas into practical solutions. The overall winner of the competition was a team from a special education center in Bauchi State, which included deaf students.

They developed an AI-powered application designed to bridge communication gaps between healthcare workers and deaf patients. The team, led by Aisha Mustapha Bala, outperformed competitors from five geopolitical zones.

Other finalists included schools from Cross River, Abia, Kano, Abuja, and Osun. Each finalist team received a cash prize of N1 million during a dinner hosted by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.