Ooni of Ife’s foundation launches bootcamp to empower young women in Lagos

A bold new chapter has begun for young women in Lagos State as Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and his foundation Hopesalive Initiative for Africa (HAI) officially launched the She-Levate Tech Digital Empowerment Bootcamp, a transformative training program aimed at bridging the gender gap in Africa’s digital economy.

The launch event, held at the organisation’s centre in Gbagada Phase 1, marked the commencement of a 16-week intensive digital skills training bootcamp designed for 60 women from underserved communities across Lagos.

The She-Levate Tech project, powered by HAI in partnership with Edunity.ng and supported by the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society Organisations (FEF-OSC), seeks to equip young women with practical and in-demand digital skills, career mentorship, and job placement opportunities.

Speaking at the launch event, Her Regal Majesty, Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, who is also the Deputy Convener of Hopes Alive Initiative for Africa, applauded the project’s impact and the lives it aims to transform.

The Queen said: “I would stand on all existing protocols. First, I must acknowledge that this would not be possible without God Almighty — who Himself is the most selfless and deeply connected with humanity in ways we can’t describe.

“This is not just another training program — it’s a movement. We are moving, we are changing lives. I remember when you told me about the single mother who wept with gratitude because her daughter was chosen. That’s the kind of change we’re talking about. You don’t just transform a girl’s life — you transform her family, her community, and this entire nation.

“I met the Ambassador of the French Embassy — a dear friend and a man whose heart truly yearns for the less privileged. And that’s what I do: I connect with great minds to create opportunities like this.

“I implore every young woman in this bootcamp — take it seriously, put your heart and soul into it. This is a life-changing opportunity. This is just the beginning; we are taking this movement to more states.”

More Than Just Training

Mr. Akapo Olusegun, Head of Programs at HAI, also said “She-Levate Tech is not just a program — it’s a movement. We’re raising digital queens. We’re restoring dreams, reshaping futures, and reclaiming the voices of young women who’ve been left out of the tech narrative for far too long.”

Participants will receive hands-on training in six core digital fields:

UI/UX Design (Product Design)

Frontend Web Development

Backend Development (Python/Django)

Data Analytics

WordPress Web Design

Digital Marketing

In addition to the technical curriculum, beneficiaries will benefit from mentorship by seasoned industry professionals, career coaching, internship placements, capstone projects, and access to an alumni support network.

The goal, according to HAI, is to ensure at least 70% of graduates secure meaningful internships or employment after the program ends in October 2025.

Reaching the Underserved

The She-Levate initiative specifically targets women from ten vulnerable communities spread across six Local Government Areas, including Bariga, Yaba, Ikorodu, Kosofe, and Mushin.

Prior to the launch, HAI engaged over 120 applicants and 30 community leaders — including traditional rulers, religious heads, and youth influencers — through digital literacy screenings and orientation sessions.

“The passion in the eyes of these young women is unforgettable,” said Mr. Akapo. “Their ambition is undeniable, and their communities are rooting for them.”

Driving Sustainable Change
Through the She-Levate Tech Bootcamp, HAI aims to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The initiative is poised to not only transform individual lives but also contribute to the broader digital and economic transformation of Lagos and beyond.