The Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, on Friday hosted the six regional winning teams and other participants of the 2026 National Girls in ICT Competition to a special celebratory dinner at the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja, with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, serving as Special Guest of Honour. 

The event marked the culmination of the fourth edition of the National Girls in ICT Competition, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, engaging more than 3,700 girls from all six geopolitical zones of the Federation and, for the first time, featuring a special reception in honour of the winners.

Addressing the participants, the First Lady commended the girls for their creativity, determination, and commitment to using technology to solve societal challenges. She said: “I applaud the innovation and creativity displayed by our girls. Your solutions remind us that young people are not merely beneficiaries of change; they are key drivers of change. I say well done to you all. I also commend the launch of the Code Clubs initiative and the presentation of club kits, which will further strengthen digital learning and innovation within schools and communities. 

“This is a strategic investment in the future of Nigeria and a reflection of Mr. President’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators and technology leaders. To our dear girls and young innovators, my charge to you is to remain curious, confident, and courageous. Never underestimate the power of your ideas. Continue to learn, create, and use technology not only to solve problems, but also to uplift lives and strengthen your communities. Let this programme remind you that your dreams are valid, your potential is limitless, and the future of innovation can proudly bear your imprint.”

The celebratory dinner followed the national grand finale of the competition, which was held earlier in the day at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Head Office Annex, Abuja. There, six regional finalist teams presented innovative technology solutions before a panel of expert judges drawn from government, industry, academia, and the innovation ecosystem. The competition showcased projects addressing critical challenges in healthcare, education, agriculture, accessibility, and public service delivery, demonstrating the ingenuity and problem-solving capabilities of young girls.

At the conclusion of the judging process, Hands that Speak from the Special Education Centre, Bauchi State, representing the North East, emerged as the overall national winner with SignCare, a digital health accessibility platform designed to improve communication between deaf patients and healthcare providers. Team Divas from Federal Government Girls College, Cross River State (South South) secured second place, while Team Resonance from Resonance Science School, Abia State (South East) placed third.

Team FarmShield 360 from Sweet Heaven High School, Kano State (North West) finished fourth, Team Tech Expert from Government Science Secondary School, Abuja (North Central) placed fifth, while Team Elite from Kidvarc High School, Osun State (South West) completed the rankings in sixth place.

The evening featured goodwill messages from the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad; the Director General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin; Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Jane Egerton-Idehen; and the Postmaster General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Tola Odeyemi. The agency heads applauded the participants for their ingenuity and encouraged them to continue pursuing opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The event also featured a prize presentation ceremony during which all six regional winners received awards and recognition for their outstanding achievements.

Speaking on the significance of the programme, the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for young Nigerians, particularly girls, to participate in the digital economy. “Tonight has reminded us of something very important: talent is everywhere in Nigeria and opportunity must be provided everywhere too. We have witnessed remarkable presentations from girls representing every region of our country. We have seen creativity, confidence, innovation, and problem-solving. Most importantly, we have seen what becomes possible when young people are given the opportunity to learn, imagine, and build,” he said.

The Minister further noted that empowering girls to participate fully in technology and innovation is both a social and economic imperative as Nigeria builds a globally competitive digital economy.

Dr. Tijani expressed appreciation to its sponsors and partners, including Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), innovation hubs, mentors, educators, volunteers, participating schools, and development partners whose support contributed to the success of the programme.

As Nigeria advances its digital transformation agenda, the National Girls in ICT Competition remains a vital platform for promoting inclusion, bridging gender gaps in technology, and ensuring that more girls are equipped with the skills and confidence needed to shape the future of innovation, leadership, and national development.