In a bid to bridge the gender and access gap in technology, Thrive Above and Beyond Foundation, has trained and graduated females from underserved communities with digital and leadership skills.
This was at its maiden Thrive STEM Girls program, a seven-day intensive bootcamp aimed at empowering females aged 15 to 20, themed Innovation in her Hands.
The initiative, held in Lagos, provided training in website development, graphic design, HTML, and essential digital tools, while also prioritising leadership and mentorship to ensure the girls saw themselves not only as tech users, but as future innovators and builders of solutions.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Founder of Thrive Foundation, Bolaji John, emphasised the deliberate vision behind the project: “We were burdened by the exclusion of girls in underserved communities from innovation. Many of them had never touched a laptop before, and in just seven days, they have built websites that offer real-world solutions. Innovation truly belongs in their hands.”
The girls, were drawn from across communities and job centers, particularly targeting those in the transition between secondary school and university. According to John, giving them something productive to do at this critical stage of life not only boosts their self-worth but directly supports Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
While the bootcamp focused heavily on skill acquisition, its holistic approach included mentorship, not just in coding or design, but in personal growth and mindset. “We sat with them, taught them how to refocus, repurpose, and identify what was already in them,” John added.
Beyond the bootcamp, the Foundation has launched a six-month mentorship program to monitor the girls’ progress, aid their university admissions, and keep them engaged. Three outstanding participants also received university scholarships.
Business developer, Inits Limited, Esther Godwins, urged the girls to confront fear and self-doubt head-on. “Do it afraid. You will doubt yourself. You may fear failure. But don’t let that stop you. The world is waiting for your ideas, your innovation,” she said.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ash Nelson Partners Ltd, Sheila Ash Nelson, speaking on the power of exposure, stated that people solve problems around what they are aware of, adding that Exposure brings inspiration, and inspiration fuels innovation.
The programme also tackled societal barriers that often deter girls from exploring technology, particularly the bias that science and tech are not for them. “Technology is not limited to science students. You can digitise your passion, whether it’s art, farming, cooking, or hairdressing. This is a digital economy,” Nelson said.
The event culminated in the presentation of digital projects built by the girls; functional websites, creative graphic designs, and collaborative problem-solving outputs, developed under the close guidance of facilitators.
