By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
Director of the Education Resource Centre, Dr. Neemat Daud Abdulrahim, has joined in the call for the promotion of more inclusion of women in empowerment programmes.
Abdulrahim made this call at the 2026 International Women’s Day ( IWD) in Abuja.
Speaking as a panelist at the WikiGap Campaign 2026, she emphasized the urgent need to create more platforms and opportunities that will enable women and girls to develop their capacities, contribute meaningfully to society, and take up leadership roles across various sectors.
She noted that empowering women goes beyond advocacy and must be translated into deliberate, structured programmes that provide access to education, mentorship, skills acquisition, and digital opportunities.
Dr. Abdulrahim stressed the need for girls to be encouraged and prepared to take advantage of the numerous opportunities available in today’s rapidly evolving world.
According to her, the call to step -up opportunities for girls is now more critical than ever due to the growing demand for innovation, creativity, and inclusiveness in national development.
“Intentional investment in girls’ education and empowerment would yield long-term benefits for families, communities, and the nation at large”, she said.
She cited participation of girls in FCT schools as demonstrating remarkable potential, particularly in science, technology, and digital innovation.
The ERC boss commended the creativity and ingenuity of schoolgirls, especially in areas related to digital inclusion, and called for sustained support to nurture and scale up their talents.
Moreover, mentorship remains a critical tool in unlocking opportunities for young girls. It provides guidance, builds confidence, and enhances visibility, enabling them to gain the knowledge, experience, and exposure required to excel in their chosen fields.
She encouraged experienced professionals, institutions, and organizations to invest time and resources in mentoring the next generation of females.
Sharing her political experience, the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stated that women can overcome the challenges if they remain determined and focused.
The Senator advised women should not be overwhelmed by the numerous issues associated with elections, but rather stay resilient and strategic.
She further emphasized the importance of connecting with grassroots communities, noting that building strong relationships at the grassroots level is key to gaining support and achieving success in the political space.
She urged women to tell their stories to inspire young girls, adding that it will help dismantle stereotypes and societal barriers that limit women’s participation.
She concluded by urging policymakers and stakeholders to prioritize gender-inclusive policies, invest in girl-child education, and create enabling environments where women can thrive.
She reaffirmed that empowering women is not just a social responsibility but a strategic necessity for national growth and development, pledging her continuous support to women’s programs.
The Ambassador of Sweden Embassy,Anna Westerholm along with Mr.Olushola Olaniyan, the President/Chairman of the Wikimedia Nigeria Foundation, and Mrs. Ogunsiji Omolayo, executive director of the Wikimedia Nigeria Foundation, expressed delight at the active participation of the stakeholders and assured them of fruitful collaborations on women’s issues by raising awareness, promoting women’s inclusion, research and writing skills, strengthening training, mentorship, and knowledge documentation initiatives, among others.
The participants at the occasion included the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and other stakeholders.
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