Kwara State demonstrated its commitment to advancing women in technology during the March edition of Kwara Digital Pulse, a virtual discussion hosted on X (formerly Twitter) Spaces on March 30, 2025. Moderated by Michael Iyowu, the event brought together female tech leaders to explore strategies for empowering women in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Hon. Kayode Ishola, the Special Assistant on Digital Innovations, opened the session with a powerful statement: “When women lead in tech, entire economies transform. Under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s leadership, Kwara is building the infrastructure to make this transformation inevitable.”
Spotlight on Female Tech Leaders
The discussion featured insights from four prominent women in Nigeria’s tech sector:
Anita Darlighton (PR at Flex2Ride) highlighted her company’s AI-powered ride-sharing solutions that address both urban congestion and women’s safety concerns. Darlighton praised Kwara’s Digital Pulse initiative while calling for smart city investments to further support women-led mobility ventures.
Linda Obi (Co-founder & CEO, ZURI Circle) revealed that only 9.1% of African startup funding reaches women-led ventures, advocating for stronger partnerships with Kwara’s Kwapreneur program.
Kelle N. Adazie (Founder/CEO, Herlosport) showcased digital platforms breaking gender barriers in sports and proposed specialized incubators at Ilorin Innovation Hub.
Oreoluwa Lesi (Founder & Executive Director, W.TEC) reported training over 27,000 girls in coding, including 500 in Kwara through local partnerships. She also called for expanded rural outreach to ensure no girl is left behind in the digital revolution
Despite progress, persistent gaps were identified:
Funding Disparities: Proposed Women in Tech Fund for grants/low-interest loans.
Rural Tech Access: Calls to expand the Kwara Tech Program to remote areas.
Cultural Barriers: Awareness campaigns to shift gender stereotypes in tech.
The space was concluded with a resounding call to action. “Our partnerships with organizations like W.TEC and investments in infrastructure demonstrate that female-led innovation is central to Nigeria’s digital future.”, said Hon. Ishola. The space highlighted Kwara State’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a hub for women-led technological innovation in Nigeria