The Women in Tech Summit 2025, held on Thursday at the Vinmila Conference Hall in Asaba, brought together female innovators, tech entrepreneurs, government officials, and industry leaders to advance the role of women in technology across Delta State and Africa.
Speaking at the event, the Delta State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Odinigwe Daniel Odigie, reaffirmed the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to initiatives that promote women’s involvement in science, innovation, and digital transformation.
He highlighted the Ministry’s consistent support for programmes focused on women in technology and shared a personal reflection on the influential women in his life, including his wife, mother, and daughter.
He also appreciated key stakeholders, including Dr Reboka, for their continuous support, and stressed the importance of collaboration between men and women in the technology space to ensure inclusive growth and development.
The convener of the summit and CEO of Coriftech, Cynthia Orife, highlighted the evolution of the initiative, noting that it has grown from fewer than 30 participants in 2022 to over 1,000 members today, with a target of 2,000 attendees this year. She emphasised the summit as more than an event—it is a movement that provides learning opportunities, mentorship, career development, networking, and a strong support system for women.
Orife also acknowledged the Delta State Government under Delta Tech Week and praised the Ministry of Science and Technology for advancing innovation and digital inclusion, aligned with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda.
Introducing this year’s theme, “AI for Impact: Empowering African Women to Lead Global Innovation,” she encouraged participants to engage fully and embrace leadership in AI to create a transformative, inclusive, and African-led technology future.
Mrs Uchechukwu Chinedu Esther, Programme Director, further celebrated the growth of the summit and the increasing role of African women as innovators, leaders, and creators of solutions that drive community and national progress. She emphasised that the summit provides a platform to build networks, gain mentorship, and access career opportunities, reinforcing a thriving community of women supporting women.
She also explained that “The Women in Tech is a platform to build more tech leaders. It will bring women together to showcase their potential and prove that women in Delta State are ready to thrive.”
The final keynote was delivered by Mrs Chukwura Nkechi, a director in the Ministry of Science and Technology, who outlined a vision for leveraging Artificial Intelligence as a transformative engine for innovation in Africa. She described AI as the next revolutionary power, capable of accelerating productivity, decision-making, and wealth creation, particularly when applied to locally relevant challenges.
Advocating for a collaborative and ethically guided future under Industry 5.0, Mrs Nkechi stressed the indispensable role of women in shaping this future, highlighting their empathy, ethics, and intuition as vital to ensuring AI uplifts society. She concluded with a call to action for women to lead the AI-driven revolution and create solutions that solve real problems and improve lives.
The summit concluded with a renewed commitment to collaboration, mentorship, and expanded opportunities, reinforcing the critical role of African women in leading global innovation in technology.
