As the world marks World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2025, the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) has called for urgent and accelerated efforts to bridge Nigeria’s digital gender divide.
The Executive Director of CEMESO, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, stated that inclusive digital transformation is essential for sustainable national development.
He noted that despite advances in telecommunications and infrastructure, digital participation in Nigeria remains unevenly distributed, with women and girls significantly underrepresented.
“A nation cannot leap into the digital future while leaving half its population behind. Gender equality in digital access and participation is not a luxury-it is an imperative for development, democracy, and good governance,” Dr Akingbulu said.
Citing recent statistics, Dr. Akingbulu said that only about 20% of Nigerian women currently use the internet, compared to 37% of men. This gap is even more pronounced in rural areas, where digital tools could transform key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education.
He warned that issues such as the high cost of data, low digital literacy, and growing concerns about online safety continue to deepen the digital exclusion of women and girls. According to CEMESO, 58% of Nigerian girls aged 15–25 have faced online harassment, a figure that further limits female participation in the digital sphere.
To effectively address these challenges, CEMESO advocated for legislative support to advocate for fair internet pricing and reducing broadband deployment costs as well as the implementation of the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS), reinforced by clear timelines, budgets, and rigorous performance monitoring.
The organisation also called for the localisation of digital skills training programmes through community radio, local language platforms, and mobile outreach units to ensure widespread accessibility.
Dr. Akingbulu urged the Nigerian media to proactively amplify positive narratives of women succeeding through technology, diligently report on gaps in digital policies and funding, and rigorously hold stakeholders accountable for commitments made toward inclusive ICT policies.
“Digital transformation can only be genuinely transformative when it embraces and empowers all citizens, particularly women. On this WTISD, we reiterate our collective responsibility towards ensuring that digital equality becomes integral to Nigeria’s growth and prosperity,” he added.
The organization is calling on policymakers, development partners, and technology stakeholders to implement proactive, gender-sensitive interventions that can ensure digital inclusion for all Nigerians, particularly women and girls.