Business
Centre Decries Low Participation Of Women On Internet
Centre for Information and Technology Development (CITAD) has expressed concern over the low participation and access of women to information on the internet.
The Centre’s Programme Assistant, Malama Maryam Haruna made this known at a news conference last Monday ahead of the Internet Global Forum (IGF) forum slated for yesterday.
Haruna said that the centre would utilise the Internet Global Forum (IGF) for women to propose for a national Gender Digital Inclusion to bridge gender digital divide on the Internet.
She explained that the IGF was a multi-stakeholder forum for policy dialogue on issues on Internet governance, which inspired policy makers to exchange ideas and good practices.
“The forum is an annual event which facilitates common understanding of how to maximise Internet opportunities thus addressing the risks and challenges that may arise.”
Haruna said that access to Internet was important for women to be able to gain information which might not be available to them ordinarily.
She decried the low participation of Nigerian women, especially Northern women on the internet.
“The ratio of male to female at the global IGF is 50:50 but it is 90:10 in Nigeria,” she disclosed.
Haruna stressed the need for specific approaches in addressing the challenges related to women’s access to information on the Internet as well as knowing Internet policies of the country.
She said that CITAD aimed to promote women’s participation in the IGF to increase the number of representation of women and provide avenue for policy formulation.
Our source reports that the centre is organising the first Women Internet Governance Forum in Nigeria to be held from September 19 to September 19 in Abuja.
The forum aimed at bridging gender gaps in accessing information and Internet policies, especially as it affects Nigerian women.
“Payment of tuition fees for undergraduate/postgraduate studies shall be subject to a maximum limit of $25,000.00 per semester,” the Manual states.
The expansion of international card limits also reflects growing confidence among lenders that foreign exchange liquidity has improved enough to support retail dollar transactions.
Speaking recently at the BusinessDay 14th Annual CEO Forum in Lagos, CBN Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the CBN said buying and selling activities now increasingly determine outcomes in the foreign exchange market, unlike in the past when market participants relied heavily on routine Central Bank interventions.
According to Cardoso, Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves have risen from just over $3 billion at the start of the reform programme to more than $40 billion, while gross reserves have climbed to about $52 billion, providing stronger confidence for investors and enabling the Central Bank to reserve interventions for periods of market stress rather than day-to-day liquidity management.
The restoration and expansion of international naira card spending limits are increasingly being seen as one of the clearest signs that the benefits of the CBN’s foreign exchange reforms are beginning to reach households, students and businesses making legitimate cross-border payments.
The Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer, WEC, Dr Angela Wilkinson, disclosed this in a statement, last Thursday.
“Nigeria’s participation comes at a pivotal time as the country seeks to expand energy access, strengthen energy security, accelerate gas development and mobilise the capital required for industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
“WEC Nigeria will convene leaders from across the energy ecosystem, apply the WEC’s globally recognised Energy Trilemma framework to Nigeria’s unique context, and promote evidence-based dialogue, practical collaboration and informed policymaking.
“It will also ensure that Nigerian and broader African perspectives contribute meaningfully to global energy conversations,” she said.
Wilkinson expressed confidence that Nigeria would play a significant leadership role at the World Energy Congress scheduled for Riyadh in April 2027 and beyond.
The statement also quoted the Chairman of WEC Nigeria, Isa, as describing the country’s participation as an opportunity to deepen national and African leadership within the global energy community through practical solutions tailored to regional development priorities.
He said the platform would promote collaboration across sectors and attract sustainable investments into Nigeria’s energy sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of WEC Nigeria, Wunti, was quoted in the statement as saying that the council would connect leadership, evidence and investment to build a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.
“This system will be capable of driving economic growth and shared prosperity.”
According to him, the platform will also connect Nigerian institutions and businesses with international knowledge, technology, partnerships and investment opportunities through the World Energy Council’s global network.
Recall that WEC, founded in 1923, is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners, advancing informed, collaborative and practical action across the global energy system.