ABU Hosts Workshop on Gender Inclusion in AI Leadership

A sensitisation workshop aimed at fostering gender inclusion in Artificial Intelligence (AI) leadership and capacity building was held today, Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at the Yusufu Bala Usman Hall, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

The event, themed “Women Leading Change in Africa: Future Higher Education Professionals and Leadership in the Intelligence Era”, was organised by the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE), Nigeria National Centre, hosted at ABU.

Speaking at the workshop, ABU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, represented by the Coordinator of the Gender Policy Unit, Prof. Rahanatu Lawal, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to innovation and equity. He stressed that the rise of AI demands active female participation, not just as users but as leaders and innovators.

“This workshop is more than a meeting; it’s a step towards a fairer future. By promoting gender inclusion, we are building a stronger, more creative, and effective AI ecosystem,” he said.

In her welcome address, Dr. Nafisa Shehu Usman of ABU’s Department of Computer Engineering explained that the IIOE initiative, backed by UNESCO-ICHE, targets training 4,500 participants by 2027, including at least 1,500 women in digital literacy, leadership, and AI skills.

Key presentations highlighted the importance of AI in reshaping education. Dr. Success Ojo, CEO of GMIND AI, stressed digital literacy and data analysis as essential skills for future leaders. Similarly, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim of ABU noted that Nigeria’s draft National AI Strategy will help drive inclusive adoption, while TechTank Labs founder, Surayya Ahmad, emphasized bridging the digital divide, noting that less than 40% of women in northern Nigeria use smartphones.

Goodwill messages came from Prof. Maryam Aminu, Dean of Life Sciences at ABU, and Engr. Kabiru Muazu, Director General of NARICT, both underscoring the need for inclusivity in AI for sustainable national growth.

The workshop also featured a demonstration of the IIOE platform and concluded with a national competition. Engr. Sandra Chioma Nwokoye of Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, emerged winner with a prize of ₦500,000, followed by Dr. Yusuf Zakari of ABU (₦300,000) and Abdulsalam B. Ibrahim of ABU Health Services (₦200,000).

Dr. Basira Yahaya, Head of ABU’s Department of Computer Engineering, closed the event with a vote of thanks, urging participants to engage actively in IIOE’s upcoming lecture series.