First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on women across the country to embrace humble beginnings as they pursue growth in business and digital technology.
She made the call on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Renewed Hope Initiative/National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Women ICT Training Empowerment Programme.
Speaking to the graduating participants, the First Lady encouraged them to overcome fear, self-doubt, and hesitation by starting modestly but with strong determination, adding, “Don’t be afraid to start small. When you do something small and do it very well, somebody will take note.”
Senator Tinubu recounted the early days of the Alternative High School for Girls, which she established as Lagos State First Lady.
She described the project as an uncertain idea at the time, but one that has now grown into over 40 similar schools across the country, a transformation she said should inspire women to patiently build their digital skills and careers despite initial limitations.
Start Small, Aim Big: Oluremi Tinubu Inspires Women in ICT Training
She urged the beneficiaries to see the ICT training as a stepping stone to greater achievements.
The First Lady also praised the steady growth of the programme, noting that it had expanded from an initial set of 35 trainees to 607 women across various states.
“You all stand today as ambassadors of digital literacy,” she told the participants, urging them to apply the skills they have learnt and pursue continuous growth in the digital space.
Earlier in his remarks, Director-General of NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, emphasised the transformative impact of empowering women with technological tools and digital knowledge.
He highlighted ongoing government efforts to ensure that Nigerian women are equipped for economic advancement through ICT.
Abdullahi noted that the Federal Government’s digital empowerment agenda is anchored on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for an inclusive digital economy.
Abdullahi stated, “As a nation, we cannot achieve a one trillion U.S. dollar economy if half of our population is left behind. At NITDA, we have a clear vision to make Nigeria an empowered nation, fostering inclusive economic growth through technological innovation.”
He stressed that digital fluency is now essential for participation in the modern economy, adding: “In the 21st century, the illiterate are those who cannot use digital devices. Therefore, we want to empower every Nigerian not just to access the digital economy but to be an active part of it.”
