CITAD Introduces Young Women to AI at E-Commerce Digital Skills Workshop
By Mustapha Salisu
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), through its Technical and Innovation Department, has introduced participants to the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at an ongoing one-day digital skills workshop on e-commerce for young women and girls.
The training, held today at CITAD’s Kano office and supported by Qualcomm, is being organized in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), GSMA, E4.org, Her Digital Skills, and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
Speaking during the session, Yusuf Babagana, a Data Analyst at CITAD, said the initiative aims to equip young women with the knowledge and skills required to understand and utilize emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence.
“We are here to conduct a one-day workshop on Artificial Intelligence for young ladies to boost their understanding of technology, especially AI. There are a lot of challenges facing young women in understanding emerging technologies, and we want to fill that gap,” Babagana explained.
He added that while the training does not cover advanced aspects such as coding or chatbot development, participants are being guided on how to effectively use AI tools and develop the foundational knowledge needed to build such systems in the future.
“Some people think AI is just about using ChatGPT to paraphrase work, but there are two distinct fields, those who develop AI systems and those who use them. For now, we are training them on how to absorb and use these systems effectively,” he noted.
Babagana further revealed that CITAD has created mentorship and follow-up platforms, including WhatsApp groups, to monitor participants’ progress and continue supporting them beyond the workshop.
On her part, Elizabeth Migwala, Vice President of International Government Affairs for Qualcomm Incorporated, called on participants to embrace opportunities in technology and innovation as they embark on their journey into web development.
She described the workshop as a significant step toward empowering participants and unlocking their potential for success in the digital world.
Migwala noted that the initiative reflects a shared vision to equip young people with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in technology.
She highlighted that the landscape of web development is vast, dynamic, and filled with opportunities in ICT and STEM fields.
According to her, the skills gained from the training go beyond technical abilities, serving as tools of empowerment that enable individuals to create, innovate, and transform the digital space.
She encouraged participants to embrace every challenge as a chance to grow, stressing that learning to code, design, and develop builds the foundation for confidence, creativity, and perseverance.
Also speaking, Muhammad Bello Yahaya, a Technical Officer at CITAD, emphasized that the workshop was designed to introduce young women to AI as part of efforts to bridge the gender gap in technology.
“Our goal is to upskill young ladies with modern technology knowledge rooted in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) so they can build successful careers in the future,” Yahaya stated.
He added that the workshop specifically targets young women, especially those from Northern Nigeria, who are often underrepresented in the technology ecosystem.
“If we look at the tech ecosystem, most ladies are left behind, particularly in the northern part of the country. That’s why we organized this training to ensure they are carried along and equipped with modern AI skills,” Yahaya added.
