Kwara State Government has unveiled a plan to achieve 60 per cent female participation in technology through its newly introduced “Girls Code Kwara” initiative.

The initiative is aimed at deepening digital literacy and empowering young girls across the state.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq announced this during the Kwara Futures Exhibition 2025, which marked the grand finale of the state’s Coding and Digital Literacy Programme held in Ilorin.

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The initiative, themed “Kwara Futures: Empowering a Digitally Ready Generation,” was organised by the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Innovation, Hon. Kayode Ishola.

AbdulRazaq said the programme would be expanded to 100 schools and 10,000 students by mid-2026 as part of efforts to make Kwara a global hub for innovation and digital technology.

“Our administration is unwavering in its commitment to transform Kwara into a beacon of technological excellence and empower our youth to lead the digital revolution,” the Governor said.

“By investing in infrastructure and creating a supportive ecosystem, we are equipping young Kwarans with the tools to turn bold ideas into global realities. For the first time in our state’s history, Kwara is etching its name on the world map of digital startups, thanks to the innovative spirit of our entrepreneurs and the strategic policies we have implemented.”

AbdulRazaq said the Girls Code Kwara scheme was designed to close the gender gap in technology and inspire more girls to pursue careers in science, innovation, and digital development.

“Young techies, your vision is our blueprint. Together, we will ensure Kwara not only appears on the map but redefines it as a global hub of tomorrow’s solutions. The future is here, and it is Kwara’s to claim,” he added.

The Governor also called on private partners, investors, and development agencies to support the state’s digital transformation drive, describing the young innovators as the “face of Kwara’s future in the knowledge economy.”

At the exhibition, ten schools showcased innovative projects such as Smart School Attendance System, Universal Report Card Generator, Weather Forecast Application, Python-Based Banking Simulation, and the Igbaja Farm Expense Tracker (IFET) App.

United Junior Secondary School, Ilorin, emerged overall winner with a cash prize of N1 million, while Ilorin Grammar School won N500,000 as first runner-up, and Government Girls’ Day Secondary School, Pakata, received N250,000 as second runner-up.

Speaking earlier, Hon. Kayode Ishola said the programme was designed to bridge the digital divide, empower young minds, and prepare them for global opportunities in a technology-driven world.

He said between August 2024 and October 2025, the initiative trained 5,604 students across 50 public secondary schools in all 16 local government areas of the state, engaging 120 instructors including NYSC members, digital volunteers, and ICT teachers.

“Our journey so far has demonstrated that digital literacy is no longer optional. It is the new basic literacy. This initiative, by reach and scale, now stands as the largest state-led digital literacy programme for schools in Nigeria,” Ishola said.

He added that many students had designed apps and tech solutions addressing real-life problems, citing the case of Bishop Smith Memorial College, Ilorin, where girls developed a learning app for the visually impaired, and Ajase-Ipo students who created the AgriTech Mini Dashboard gaining national attention.

Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, said the government’s sustained investment in education had significantly improved learning outcomes in the state.

“By the time you look at the budget provision for education, the highest we met on the ground was about five per cent. I am proud to say that under this administration, we have moved to around fourteen per cent,” he said.

He explained that the coding and digital literacy programme was designed to equip students with the skills needed to compete and excel in the new digital economy.