TechMinds Girls Foundation Forges a New Path for Nigerian Girls in Technology

In a single year, the TechMinds Girls Empowerment Foundation (TMG Empower) has ignited a powerful movement, rapidly establishing itself as a critical force for gender inclusion within Africa’s burgeoning technology sector.

Since its inception in 2024, the non-profit has equipped hundreds of girls across Nigeria and the continent with essential digital skills and the unwavering confidence needed to claim their space in the tech ecosystem. At a recent milestone celebration marking its first anniversary, the foundation’s Founder and Executive Director, Ndidiamaka Udeaja, reflected on a year of profound impact.

Building More Than Just Coders

“We don’t just train girls in tech; we build innovators, entrepreneurs, and future policymakers,” Udeaja stated. “Our goal is to break down systemic barriers that exclude women and replace them with a robust framework of skills, mentorship, and tangible opportunity.”

This vision has been brought to life through flagship programs like Tech Her Up and the Power Skill Booster, which provide structured training in both technical and soft skills. The curriculum is comprehensive, covering everything from software development and data science to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital marketing.

The Mindset Before the Machine

What truly distinguishes TMG Empower is its foundational focus on psychological transformation. The organization operates on a core belief: technical prowess is futile without self-belief.

“If a girl doesn’t believe she belongs in tech, no amount of training will help her thrive,” Udeaja explained. “That’s why our programs begin with mindset re-engineering. We help girls reimagine what’s possible long before they write a single line of code.”

Participants engage in personal development sessions designed to dismantle self-doubt, impostor syndrome, and cultural conditioning that have historically steered African girls away from STEM careers. “We’ve learned that self-doubt is often a bigger obstacle than Python or calculus,” Udeaja noted. “Once girls start believing they belong, they learn and lead differently.”

Celebrating a Year with Tangible Impact

To commemorate its first year, the foundation announced a scholarship program for outstanding participants, with two beneficiaries already selected for fully-funded university education. In a parallel initiative reinforcing its commitment to underserved communities, TMG Empower donated ten desktop computers to Mother of Mercy Girls Secondary School in Azuigbo, Anambra State.

The foundation’s reach is expanding rapidly. Its new AI Business School has already attracted over 200 Nigerian girls and approximately 100 from other African countries, introducing them to artificial intelligence, business analytics, and creative tech entrepreneurship.

Fostering Community and Changing Lives

Through physical events, such as its ICT Day gathering in Lagos and an outreach program in Anambra for the International Day of the African Child, TMG Empower has created vital, safe spaces for hands-on learning and community building.

For the participants, the impact is deeply personal and professionally transformative.

Onyekwere Nmesoma Chiamaka, a registered nurse from Enugu State, shared how the foundation reshaped her career. “From TMG Empower training, I’ve gained hands-on skills in Excel and Power BI. I can now clean, analyze, and visualize data with confidence. Beyond that, I’ve grown as a leader and as a woman.”

Another trainee, Bishe Sulei Yerima, published her first e-book after completing her digital training. “I feel so grateful to the foundation and the founder. I know this is just the beginning of greater things to come,” she said.

Advocacy for Systemic Change

While training remains central, TMG Empower is pushing beyond workshops to advocate for systemic, legislative change. The foundation is actively supporting efforts to create what it describes as “a more fair and inclusive tech environment” through policies that ensure women have equal access to opportunities in Nigeria’s digital economy.

“We want to see government frameworks that protect women’s participation in the tech sector,” Udeaja emphasized. “Our advocacy efforts are squarely focused on long-term impact.”

A Vision for an Inclusive Digital Future

Guided by its core values of Empowerment, Innovation, Inclusion, Excellence, and Community, TMG Empower envisions a future where African girls are the founders, CEOs, and inventors defining the next wave of global innovation.

As the foundation steps into its second year, its driving philosophy remains clear: when a girl learns technology, she learns power. “Our dream is to see a generation of Nigerian girls leading startups, building global tech products, and redefining innovation across Africa,” Udeaja concluded. “When you empower a girl with technology, you transform families, communities, and entire economies.”

TMG Empower’s first year stands as a powerful testament to what is possible, ensuring that Africa’s digital future is not just male, but inclusive, empowered, and unmistakably female-led.

Source: Original reporting from the TechMinds Girls Empowerment Foundation. For more information or to explore partnerships, visit www.tmgempower.org.