At Alliances for Africa, we believe that the future of innovation in South East Nigeria must be intentional, deliberate, inclusive, and transformative for women and girls.

Across Nigeria, women and girls remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and emerging fields like artificial intelligence. This gap is not about capacity or ability, it is about unequal access to quality education, opportunity, mentorship, funding, digital tools, enabling policies, and systemic barriers that continue to limit participation in our schools, institutions, tech spaces, and industries.

This year’s theme, “Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls in South East Nigeria through Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM, and Finance” reminds us that the future of innovation in South East Nigeria must be intentional and inclusive.

Building inclusive futures for women and girls in South East Nigeria through AI, social science, STEM, and finance means moving beyond working in isolated efforts. It involves leveraging AI and technology to address societal challenges in education, healthcare, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and governance across the South East; applying social science to ensure solutions are ethical, culturally responsive, and community-centred; strengthening STEM education and digital skills for girls in secondary schools, tertiary institutions, and informal learning spaces; expanding financial investment and funding opportunities that support women-led research, tech start-ups, and innovative enterprises.

Building inclusive futures requires collaboration among state governments, private sector actors, academic institutions, civil society organizations, traditional institutions, and community leaders. It requires policies that promote gender equity, targeted funding for women innovators, and safe, enabling environments where women and girls can explore, experiment, and excel in science and technology.

The time to collaborate is now.

The time to fund women innovators is now.

The time to mentor, train, and create enabling environments for girls in science and technology is now.

Inclusive futures will not happen by chance, they must be built through deliberate partnerships, collaboration with critical state actors, policies, and investments.

As we mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026, Alliances for Africa calls on all key stakeholders across the South East to move beyond conversations, take measurable action, commit resources, and champion opportunities that ensure women and girls are not left behind in the AI and STEM revolution.

Expand access to digital and AI skills, integrate social science perspectives to ensure gender-responsive innovation, and unlock financial resources that support women-led research and enterprises. Invest deliberately and intentionally in women and girls, mentor them, sponsor their STEM education, support their ideas, and amplify their voices and contributions towards national growth and development.

Inclusion is not an option; it is essential for sustainable development and shared prosperity.

When women and girls are fully included in AI, STEM, social research, and financial systems, we do not just close a gender gap, we unlock the full innovative potential across South East Nigeria and build stronger, smarter, and more equitable societies for all.

Act now!

Invest boldly!

Build inclusively!

#IDWGS2026

#InclusiveFutures

#AIForGood #GirlsInSTEM

#WomenInScience

#Alliances for Africa