Women and ICT industry in Nigeria

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The minister of Information and Communications Technology, ms Mobolaji Johnson

From Benjamin a ameh, Lagos

ICT infrastructure is a major driver in the knowledge based economy.

As world is moving toward knowledge based economy and being major in world population figure. Where is the position of women in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry? Or in the ICT profession, is women are lagging behind? ICTs are indispensable tools used by all to deal with the limitations of time, cost and distance. In addition, many are using ICTs to solve problems and create new opportunities in areas where women are majorly affected.

Experts said technology has the way we work, learn, interact and relax. Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunications are changing our way of life. ICTs are here to stay. In today’s quality access to information and knowledge is critical to survival and performance. Individuals, organizations and governments all need and use ICT to be faster, more cost effective and efficient.

How many women are building careers in this interesting and exciting field? Apart from two women “Mrs. Florence Seriki, CEO, Omatek Computers, Nigeria and Dr. (Mrs) Adenike Osofisan, Former President of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN)” who are making great strides in ICT contribution immensely, who other else?.

The general opinions are that the issue has never been that there are no women making a difference in ICT. Rather, they are in sufficient numbers of them to make a difference? What proportion of women compared to men in active participants in the technology sector? And in which areas do they predominate? Where are the majority of women in the ICT value chain? What do women do where they are? Are women in ICT realizing their potentials? Do women in ICT benefit fully from the career and entrepreneurial opportunities in ICT?

Of particular interest, are specialist areas which include Software development, Database, Web development, Network infrastructure, Technical support, Telecom engineering, etc. There is high and steady demand for experienced professionals and entrepreneurs in these fields. And these “high tech” areas tend to be well-respected, very creative, and rewarding, with excellent opportunities for growth.

In this respect, what page are the ICT firms on? How many women work in the specialist areas, and in what proportion compared to men, for Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Computer vendors, Software providers, ICT support centers, IT training companies, Telecom firms and ICT related organizations?

Even in organizations with heavy information needs that invest heavily in ICT such as government agencies, banks and oil companies, how many women work as ICT specialists and in what proportion compared to men, in such organizations?

The situation in most ICT and ICT-driven firms is that fewer women work as ICT professionals in the specialist areas mentioned. There are also fewer women at the top, i.e. top-level management positions within the ICT sector, as Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Chief Information Officers (CIOs), IT Directors or IT Managers. Not many women can be found in positions where they can influence ICT management and policy.

Nigeria’s Information Communications Technology (ICT) industry is slowly transforming to be more welcoming and accessible to women

Therefore, Women were urged to focus on developing their business and leadership skills which will enable them to take up leadership roles within any organization, just like two above mentioned names. This can be done by further developing their management skills and getting involved in other areas of their respective businesses.

Typically, women in the Nigeria ICT industry should be more focused on the technical aspects of IT. As one of the few black women in Nigeria who has risen to the level of a decision maker in ICT, I believe it’s time to change and do things differently. Women need to acquire business skills in order to move to higher decision making roles.

In another step to speed up women level in ICT ladder is through free career seminar by both State and Local Government along private sectors should be adopted in other to encourage the target gender.

However there are various disturbing challenges associated with ICTs. Inconsistencies in the exploitation and deployment of ICTs are a major concern – the digital divide. For example what has been the impact of women in ICT? In many societies, women are still unable to realize their potentials.

For instance, Goal 3 of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is meant to “Promote gender equality and empower women” – the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women as a pivotal.

Looking at the entire process over and over again prompts the following questions, what is the role of ICT in the economic and social development of women? It is an issue that touches all facets of society. Obviously, there is a direct relationship between the empowerment of women and reduction of poverty. Because of its unique benefits, ICT is regarded as a tool for empowering men and women. But is this notion grounded in reality? Is ICT hurting or helping women?  

How empowered are women to make their contributions in this digital society age? Women play a vital role in present society and beyond so therefore, women can really create wealth and provide opportunities through ICT if they are excluded. Can women really be empowered without quality access to information? Looking at data presently available showed already that information and knowledge gaps exist in the emerging knowledge society and the majority of women – rural and urban – don’t appear to be on the right side of the divide.

Former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), 2003, had this to say, “There is a gender divide, with women and girls enjoying less access to information technology than men and boys.” 

It is true, ICT is nothing without access. We cannot underestimate the importance of access. To get the benefits of ICT, you must have access. Availability or physical access isn’t enough. Access means usage – ability to utilize it, ability to work, learn, interact and create with the information and resources provided. Fewer women are accessing and using computers and the Internet compared to men.


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