Adepeju Bello Calls for Technological Inclusion and Empowerment of Women

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Adepeju Deborah Bello, an IT professional, has called for the deliberate inclusion and empowerment of women through access to technological knowledge and digital tools, stressing that technology is a critical enabler of economic growth, self-reliance, and social inclusion.

Bello made this call during a Microsoft-supported digital empowerment programme organised by the Zariah Elizabeth Foundation (TZEF), which sought to digitally empower 50,000 women achieved empowering 25,430 Nigerian women in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria.

The initiative, known as the Digital Empowerment for Girls’ Programme, focused on equipping young women, including housewives and women-owned small and medium-scale enterprise (SME) operators with practical information and communication technology (ICT) skills.

Speaking at the programme, Bello highlighted that many women, particularly those running small businesses or managing households, remain excluded from the benefits of the digital economy due to limited access to training and tools.

She urged stakeholders to prioritise digital literacy for women as a pathway to economic empowerment and national development.

“Technology is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity,” Bello said. “When women, especially housewives and SME owners, understand how to use digital tools, they can improve productivity, access new markets, manage finances better, and create sustainable sources of income for their families.”
Drawing from her professional experience, Bello explained that digital skills such as basic computer literacy, internet use, online marketing, and digital payments can significantly transform women-led businesses.

She noted that empowering women with these skills helps reduce poverty, strengthens local economies, and promotes financial inclusion.

Bello, a trainer at the programme, also commended Microsoft and the Zariah Elizabeth Foundation for their commitment to bridging the digital divide in underserved communities.

She described the scale of the programme reaching over 25,000 women as a strong example of how public-private partnerships can drive meaningful social impact.

According to her, training women in ICT not only enhances employability but also builds confidence and encourages greater participation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-related fields. She called on government agencies, private organisations, and non-profit groups to replicate similar initiatives across other regions of the country.

Participants at the programme expressed appreciation for the opportunity to acquire new digital skills, noting that the training had opened their eyes to how technology can support education, entrepreneurship, and personal development.