Mrs. Martha Alade

FOUNDER, WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY IN NIGERIA (WITIN)

Martha obtained a bachelors in Computer Engineering from the Obafemi Awolowo University, masters in IT and masters in Research and Policy both from the University of Lagos. She also completed Executive Education Program at Lagos Business School and obtained Certificate in Enterprise and Social Sector Management from the Enterprise Development Center of Pan African University. Martha Was also trained in Harvard. For about 2 decades, Martha has consistently advocated for gender equality as women right and human right. She continues to advocate for gender equity reforms and re-educating the public on the true meaning of gender equality as being equal opportunities for all genders. She pioneered the Grassroots Women empowerment through ICT (GWEIT) supported by Google which brought the businesses of disadvantaged women in rural, remote and under-served communities in Nigeria online, immensely improving their lives and livelihoods – socioeconomically. Martha, through WITIN’s partnership with the USAID’s Women and the Web initiative and Intel She Will Connect equipped Nigerian women on Technology and Entrepreneurship. Through WITIN’s ‘Enjoy‘ – Entrepreneurship And Job Opportunities For Youths to provide opportunities for Nigerian youths by ; Martha is equipping more young women with latest skills and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods, advocating returnship options for women to re-enter the tech workforce. She is also currently driving a resilient campaign to get more Nigerian women into tech leadership positions in the Nigerian digital ecosystem through advocacy, workshops and most importantly, working with the federal government on gender responsive ICT policies. The ITU Girls in ICT initiative has consistently provided an excellent platform for Martha to reach out to thousands of girls across the country, motivating them to pursue technology related careers as leaders, creators, innovators and inventors. Wit.ng/gict . Martha started equipping teachers since 2002 and by 2014, she officially launched the teachers.ng platform enabling her work very closely with Nigerian teachers to bridge the leaky pipeline in country. No fewer than 6,000 teachers have been directly imparted by teachers.ng by December 2019, reaching more than 320,000 underprivileged, marginalized children and adolescents, with girls comprising over 55% of beneficiaries since inception. Martha also worked closely with the Nigerian Government through the Ministry of Communications in the establishment of the Digital Girls Clubs across the country. She also played a key role in the introduction of Technovation Challenge in Nigeria, leading the first Nigerian Team to Silicon Valley, California in 2013 and running the program till 2017 coordinating up to 30 teams of girls. Each team comprised 5 girls who learnt how to build mobile applications that solved pressing problems in Nigeria. States covered included Lagos, Delta and Abuja. Martha’s advocacies, projects and influence imparts every state in the country including key stakeholders who are actively engaged in her programs. WITIN’s 2012 Tech4D Forum brought in stakeholders, including government officials from across the country, top nollywood actors as well as international speakers. WITIN’s 2014 tech4d Forum brought in VIPs , both within and outside the country who came to inspire girls as well as renowed Nolly wood stars like Gloria and Nobert Young, Eucharia, Omotola Ekeinde and others. See 2013 event for girls

All Sessions by Mrs. Martha Alade

11:25 am - 1:25 pm
Ruby Hall, The Zone Centre, Gbagada, Lagos State

Session 4: Nigeria’s Position in the Future of the Internet

Moderator: Engr. Kunle Olorundare; Vice President, Internet Society (Nigeria Chapter)

Panelists:
● Destiny Amana; Presidnet - Nigeria Internet Group (NIG)

● Mrs. Martha Alade; Founder - Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN)

● Mr. Chukwuemeka Gerald Ibeawuchi; Africa Community Manager - LBANK

● Mr. Ebuka Ogbodo; Public Policy Manager, Anglophone West Africa - Meta Platforms Inc.)