MTN Foundation, in a strategic partnership with Womenovate, officially kicked off the fifth edition of the Women in Technology and Engineering Summit (WITESA) at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, on June 23, 2026. The summit, themed, “Engineering Africa’s future: Innovation, Infrastructure, and inclusive technology”, was designed to dismantle barriers for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics (STEAM) fields.
The summit serves as a call to action for corporate stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders to cultivate a more equitable digital ecosystem for female-led innovations. As a key sponsor, the MTN Foundation reinforced its commitment to nurturing future talent by integrating female students into the summit where they engaged directly with industry experts and gained exposure to emerging technologies.
The Lagos State Government, recognising the importance of initiatives like WITESA, highlighted the need for inclusive policy frameworks. Representing the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Honourable Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake, noted that the summit aligns perfectly with the state’s vision for growth. “Innovation and infrastructure alone are not enough; they must be inclusive,” Hon. Alake remarked. “Initiatives such as WITESA are important. They provide the visibility, mentorship, and recognition that inspire young women to pursue careers in engineering, technology, artificial intelligence, data science, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and other emerging sectors.”
Speaking on the company’s commitment to gender equity, the General Manager of Enterprise Marketing at MTN Nigeria, Njideka Jack, highlighted the telecom giant’s data-driven approach to social impact. “MTN is intentional in closing the digital gender gap. With a 41.4% female workforce and 46.4% female representation in executive positions, alongside our matching fund and the empowerment of 5,754 Y’ellopreneurs, we are proud of our journey in empowering women,” she stated. Jack emphasised that MTN’s focus remains firm, adding, “We are represented at the intersection of innovation, infrastructure, and inclusive technology, and our presence here today reflects our dedication to creating sustainable pathways for women in tech.”
The event concluded on June 24 with an award ceremony celebrating trailblazers who have made significant contributions to scientific and technological advancement in Nigeria. The ceremony honoured distinguished leaders, including Bukola Ajayi, Chief Information Officer of MTN Nigeria; Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group; Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho, CEO of Future Software Resources Limited; and Ude Enebeli, Acting Chief Information Officer of MTN Cameroon, among other industry luminaries.
Motunrayo Opayinka, CEO of Womenovate and the convener of the summit, expressed that these awards are critical to normalising women’s contributions in high-impact technical fields. She also noted that role models play a critical role in shaping aspirations and inspiring future generations. “We believe very strongly in role modeling. Seeing is believing. The young ones can see and aspire and be inspired equally,” she said.
The summit marked a significant step forward in the conversation around digital inclusion, translating high-level dialogue into a concrete roadmap for policy and practice. By leveraging the combined strengths of its sponsors and adopting a community-driven approach, Womenovate established a new benchmark for corporate responsibility within Nigeria’s tech ecosystem. The event concluded with an award ceremony celebrating industry leaders and trailblazers, reinforcing a shared vision where innovation, infrastructure, and inclusivity serve as key drivers of Africa’s technological future.