Centre Seeks Support for Women in Tech Manufacturing

 

By Atlantic Reports

The High Tech Centre for Nigerian Women and Youths (HTCNWY) has called on governments and other stakeholders to expand support for women seeking careers and business opportunities in hardware technology and manufacturing.

The centre’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Omowunmi Hassan, made the appeal in Abuja on Thursday as part of activities marking the 20th Women’s Tech Week.

Hassan said women should be encouraged to acquire practical skills in solar panel production, biogas digesters and technologies that support agriculture.

“We are encouraging women to get involved in hardware technology, building solar panels, building biogas digesters and technologies that support agriculture,” she said.

She identified solar dryers and other agricultural equipment as innovations that could support women working in farming and related enterprises.

Skills First, Financing Still Essential

Hassan acknowledged that some areas of hardware production require substantial capital, but said developing the necessary technical skills should be an early priority.

“What we are saying is that we should not look for the money first; when you get the skill and you are able to manufacture, you are able to produce, I am sure, there will be funding somewhere,” she said.

She urged governments and stakeholders to provide support that would enable women to participate meaningfully in the sector. However, she did not identify a dedicated financing arrangement for trainees seeking to move into production.

The distinction matters for participants: acquiring skills is one stage, while securing equipment, production space and working capital presents further challenges.

Extending Training to Communities

Hassan said the centre offered physical and virtual training for women and young people, with plans to deepen its reach into local communities.

“We are building skills every day, virtually and physically and we hope that very soon, all of these will help us to get to the local level,” she said.

She described the centre’s “Tech Her Vote” initiative as a means of bringing women together across regions, age groups and communities to promote technology skills development.

Hassan encouraged women to organise within their communities and participate in available programmes, whether online or in person.

The 20th Women’s Tech Week was organised by HTCNWY in collaboration with AfICTA, focusing on women’s participation in technology and barriers to inclusion.

The interview did not provide enrolment figures, training costs or outcomes showing how many participants had progressed into employment or manufacturing businesses. These would help establish how effectively the training is translating into economic opportunities.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.