The Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, CON, and other eminent personalities were in attendance when the winners and participants of the 2026 National Girls in ICT Competition were treated to a special dinner at the State House, Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.
Hosted by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the event was organised to mark a fitting conclusion to a week of innovation, creativity, and outstanding performances by young girls from across Nigeria.
The Minister said that “this year’s competition recorded an unprecedented participation of over 3,700 girls from across the country, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for ICT and digital innovation among young women. At the finale, winners were recognised and presented with prizes in recognition of their creativity and innovative solutions addressing real-world challenges.
“The overall winner of the competition was Hands that Speak from the Special Education Centre, Bauchi State, representing the North East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, with their solution SignCare, a digital health accessibility platform designed to improve communication between deaf patients and healthcare providers. Their achievement reflects the depth of innovation emerging from every region of the country.”
Dr. Tijani used the occasion of the special dinner where the First Lady was the Special Guest of Honour to “extend our sincere appreciation to the teachers, parents, mentors, partners, and sponsors whose dedication and support made this initiative possible.
“In particular, we acknowledge the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), and all stakeholders who continue to invest in nurturing the next generation of innovators.”