A non-governmental organization, Moremi Techstars, is urging more girls to pursue careers in technology to help bridge the gender gap in the tech industry. At a one-day event titled “Tech Renaissance 2024,” held in Lagos, the organization focused on empowering girls and women in technology. The theme of the event, “Advancing Women in Technology from the Bootcamp to the Workspace,” aimed to encourage girls to become more competent and confident in their tech careers.
Samuel Adeboju, the founder of Moremi Techstars, highlighted the significant gender gap in the tech industry. He noted that currently, 72% of those in tech are men, while only 27% are women. “This means women are significantly underrepresented in the tech world,” he said. The event aimed to inspire more girls to enter the tech field, helping to balance these statistics.
Moremi Techstars offers various programs to support young girls interested in technology. These programs include mentoring, training, and providing job opportunities. The organization also supports startups run by women through its accelerator program, helping them connect with potential female tech founders and develop their own products.
Sooko Adefolahan, the chairman of Moremi Techstars, encouraged the girls to be proactive and take charge of their careers in technology. “You must have an interest in tech; nobody can force you into it,” he said. Adefolahan emphasized that anyone who can use a smartphone already has a basic interest in technology. He encouraged the girls to build on that interest by gaining more knowledge and training themselves. “There are many areas in Information Technology (IT) that we haven’t even explored in Nigeria,” he added, urging them to stay focused and determined.
Alex Adefurasin, the CEO of Rentors Limited, also spoke at the event, advising the girls to be intentional and purposeful about their career choices in technology. He challenged them to identify issues specific to their communities and think of ways to solve these problems using technology. “Turn those pain points into opportunities to develop something,” Adefurasin said. He gave examples of female programmers and engineers who have made significant contributions on platforms like Facebook and encouraged the girls to see themselves as potential leaders in the tech world.
Moremi Techstars is dedicated to helping young women succeed in technology. Through its programs, the organization aims to provide the necessary skills and resources to help women thrive in the tech industry. The Tech Renaissance 2024 event served as a platform for inspiring and motivating young girls to take up careers in technology and become change-makers in their communities.
By encouraging more girls to enter the tech field, Moremi Techstars hopes to close the gender gap in the industry and create a more inclusive environment. “The sky is the limit,” Adefolahan said, urging the girls to be ambitious and strive for success in their tech careers.
The call to action from Moremi Techstars and other tech leaders at the event is clear: girls and women should embrace technology, learn new skills, and use their unique perspectives to solve real-world problems. By doing so, they can not only build successful careers but also contribute to the growth and innovation of the tech industry in Nigeria and beyond.
