A new girl-focused digital empowerment programme has been launched in Lagos by the Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI), a non-governmental organization founded by the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II.
The programme, titled She-Levate Tech Digital Bootcamp, is designed to equip girls from underserved communities with in-demand tech skills and tools to succeed in the digital economy.
The 16-week bootcamp officially commenced on Monday with a press briefing held in Gbagada, Lagos. It is being implemented under the direct supervision of the organisation’s Deputy Convener, Her Regal Majesty, Olori Amb. (Dr) Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, who is also the wife of the Ooni of Ife.
According to the organisers, 60 girls from ten communities across six local government areas of Lagos State—including Makoko, Ilaje, Mushin, Bariga, Ajegunle, and Ikorodu—were carefully selected to participate in the pilot phase of the programme.
“These girls are not just numbers on a list. They are 60 dreams, 60 futures we are reshaping with digital tools,” said Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi at the launch. “This is not just a training programme—it is a movement. We are raising digital queens from communities where hope often feels out of reach,” she added.
She also expressed deep appreciation to the Ooni of Ife for his steadfast commitment to youth development, describing him as the driving force behind HAI’s mission to uplift vulnerable populations through education and innovation.
Funded by the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society Organisations (FEF-OSC) and delivered in partnership with Edunity.ng, the She-Levate Tech Bootcamp will offer participants practical training in six high-demand tech fields: UI/UX design, frontend web development, backend development using Python and Django, data analytics, WordPress web design, and digital marketing.
Speaking on the selection process, HAI Programme Director, Mr. Akapo Olusegun, noted that the initiative collaborated closely with traditional leaders, religious institutions, and community-based youth organisations to identify candidates most in need of this intervention. “We targeted the most vulnerable areas. Some of these girls have never used a computer before,” he said.
Classes will run from July 1 through October 30 and will include 80 physical sessions. Participants will also complete capstone projects, take part in job readiness training, and receive one-on-one mentorship from professionals in the tech industry.
The programme will culminate in a job fair where hiring companies are expected to meet participants for internship and entry-level recruitment opportunities.
“We are ensuring that every girl leaves with a portfolio-ready project that reflects her skills,” Mr. Olusegun stated. “Our target is to see at least 70 percent of them placed in jobs or earning through freelance contracts within months of graduation. This is how we break cycles of poverty and build generational wealth.”
Beyond technical skills, the She-Levate programme is aimed at opening access and building confidence in young women who previously saw little opportunity for upward mobility. “A woman in tech can earn up to ₦1 million monthly while working legally and remotely,” Olusegun added. “This is about creating real economic alternatives.”
To ensure long-term impact, the Hopes Alive Initiative is establishing an alumni platform for graduates of the bootcamp, in addition to a tech co-working hub where they can continue learning, building, and connecting with others in the ecosystem.
The programme aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4 on quality education, Goal 5 on gender equality, and Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth.
She-Levate is one of multiple development programmes currently being supported by the French Embassy in Nigeria, with similar initiatives underway in other states including Bauchi. Organisers say the Lagos pilot is only the beginning, with a long-term goal to expand the model across the country.
“This is more than a project—it’s a model for change,” Olusegun concluded. “We are building a future where African girls don’t just use technology; they lead with it.”
