Empowered and Equipped: Women shine at SheLevate graduation ceremony

Femi Fabunmi 

The Hopes Alive Initiative for Africa (HAI Africa), a non-governmental organisation founded by the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan-Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, in collaboration with the French Embassy Fund (FEF), on Friday, 31 October 2025, celebrated the graduation of 60 young women from the SheLevate Tech Digital Empowerment Bootcamp at the University of Lagos, Akoka.

The ceremony, held at the ACEDHARS Building, marked the culmination of a 16-week intensive digital training programme aimed at equipping young women from underserved communities across Lagos with practical and in-demand technology skills.

In his welcome address, Mr. Akapo Olusegun, Project Manager of the SheLevate Tech Digital Empowerment Bootcamp, described the event as “a day of triumph and transformation,” noting that the programme had given participants the confidence and skills to thrive in the digital economy.

“Over the past 16 weeks, we have watched 60 young women step into a world that once felt out of reach. They came with questions, but they leave today with answers, confidence, and new possibilities,” he said.

Participants received hands-on training in Data Analysis, Product Design, Frontend and Backend Development, Web Design, and Digital Marketing.

Additional focus areas included WordPress Web Development and Front Desk Development, ensuring a comprehensive exposure to the digital landscape.

The programme also celebrated outstanding participants by awarding laptops to those who demonstrated exceptional performance.

The initiative further received strong support from Her Regal Majesty, Amb. Dr. Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, Deputy Convener of HAI Africa, who personally donated laptops and added her husband’s donation of cash to the programme to further empower the young women.

Akapo Olusegun praised the support of the French Embassy in Nigeria, along with partners Edunity.ng and SheCode Africa, for their technical mentorship and guidance that turned curiosity into capability and passion into purpose.
Addressing the graduates, he said:

“The certificates you will receive today are not just proof of learning, they are badges of resilience, creativity and hope.

This graduation is your launchpad. Go into the world, build solutions, mentor others, and shine as leaders in the digital space.”

The event featured a valedictory speech by Rhoda Onyebusi, who encouraged graduates to leverage their skills and the networks they had built during the programme to drive innovation, create opportunities, and uplift their communities.

Earlier in the week, HAI Africa and the French Embassy hosted the Ladies in Tech Conference at UNILAG, bringing together panelists from Nigeria’s technology industry to discuss career pathways, emerging digital trends, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The programme also included a Job Fair, connecting participants with recruiters, startups, and companies seeking female tech talent.

Guests and speakers commended the Ooni of Ife and Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi for championing women’s inclusion in technology and bridging the gender gap in the digital sector.

As the SheLevate Digital Queens embark on their next chapter, the programme stands as a shining example of how collaboration between government, international partners, and NGOs can empower young women to become innovators, leaders, and creators in Nigeria’s digital future.