The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has said that women’s exclusion from Nigeria’s digital economy is not accidental but a result of deep structural barriers embedded in policies, culture, and access to resources.
Fatima Babakura, Project Lead for the Greening and Feminist Centering of the National Digital Transformation Agenda revealed this on Wednesday while speaking at a press briefing.
According to Babakura, although Nigeria’s digital transformation is often celebrated for expanding infrastructure and innovation, it has failed to address how opportunities and power are shared across society.
“Women’s exclusion from the digital economy is structurally produced through limited access to digital tools, high data costs, online harassment, cultural restrictions, and policy frameworks that fail to reflect lived realities,” she said.
Babakura further explained that many women, especially those in rural and conflict-affected areas, face multiple obstacles such as poor connectivity, lack of devices, safety concerns, and exclusion from decision-making processes.
She stressed that digital inclusion should go beyond access to the internet and include safe environments, skills development, mentorship, and policies that support women’s full participation.
“Digital inclusion must extend beyond connectivity to include enabling and safe spaces where women can participate confidently,” the project lead stated.
She also raised concerns about funding gaps, noting that women-led and community-based digital initiatives often struggle to access financial and institutional support compared to larger, well-resourced actors.
CITAD called on policymakers to review digital policies to ensure gender justice, disability inclusion, and environmental sustainability are fully integrated at all levels of implementation.
It also urged development partners, the private sector, and civil society groups to support women-led and inclusive digital initiatives.
“Central to addressing these challenges is the role of advocacy. Inclusive digital transformation does not occur automatically; it requires deliberate engagement, sustained pressure, and accountability mechanisms that challenge exclusionary systems. Civil society organizations, community technology
hubs, the media, policy activist and advocacy networks play a critical role in amplifying marginalized evidence, and pushing for policy reforms that redistribute opportunity, more voices, generating equitably.”
CITAD warned that a digital transformation that leaves women behind cannot be considered successful.