Every October 11, the world unites to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child—a day dedicated to recognizing the rights, potential, and voices of girls everywhere. This global movement, established by the United Nations in 2011, sheds light on the challenges girls face—from limited access to education and technology to gender-based discrimination—while advocating for opportunities that allow them to thrive.
This year, under the inspiring theme “She Solves for Change,” the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC), in partnership with Oracle Academy, is set to host the W.TEC Hackathon 2025, an exciting and transformative event designed to empower secondary school girls through innovation, problem-solving, and technology.
Bridging the Innovation Gap: Empowering Girls to Lead in STEM
Taking place across Kwara, Lagos, and Abuja, the W.TEC Hackathon 2025 is much more than a competition—it is a movement to bridge the innovation gap and nurture the next generation of female technology leaders.
Over 150 secondary school girls will come together to ideate, collaborate, and create solutions to real-world challenges in areas such as education, health, climate, and security. Backed by Oracle’s global expertise and W.TEC’s years of impactful training and mentorship, the hackathon provides participants with a rare opportunity to learn hands-on digital skills while building confidence and teamwork.
A Month of Learning, Innovation, and Collaboration
The programme is structured into two main phases that blend training, mentorship, and project-based learning:
Phase 1: Pre-Hackathon Training (4 Weeks)
- Week 1: Program Launch and Team Formation
- Weeks 2–3: Solution Development
- Week 4: Project Refinement
During this phase, the girls will be introduced to foundational STEM concepts through immersive sessions in Website Design, Mobile App Development, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). They’ll gain practical experience with tools like Arduino microcontrollers, learning the core principles of design thinking, prototyping, and digital innovation.
Phase 2: The Grand Hackathon
The excitement culminates in a final event hosted at central venues in each city. Highlights will include:
- A Keynote Address by a prominent woman in STEM—such as a tech CEO, engineer, or academic—who will inspire the girls to embrace leadership and creativity.
- Team Presentations: Each school team will pitch their final projects through demos and prototypes before a distinguished panel of judges comprising educators, tech experts, and industry professionals.
- Networking and Mentorship Sessions: Girls will engage directly with STEM professionals for guidance and motivation.
- Awards Ceremony: The top three teams will receive tech prizes and mentorship opportunities, celebrating their innovation and commitment.
Mentorship and Career Inspiration
A dedicated STEM Career Talk will connect participants with women excelling in various STEM fields. These mentors will share personal stories, career journeys, and insights on overcoming challenges in the industry. Through these sessions, girls will see what’s possible and be encouraged to dream beyond the limits society often places on them.
Transformative Outcomes
The W.TEC Hackathon 2025 is designed to make measurable impact through:
- STEM Engagement: 90% of participants completing core modules in design thinking, prototyping, and innovation.
- Confidence Boost: 85% of participants demonstrating increased confidence in STEM-related skills.
- Skill Development: 80% confirming mastery of critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving competencies.
- Career Interest: 70% expressing intent to pursue further STEM education or careers.
- Mentorship Continuity: 100% participating in mentorship sessions, with follow-up engagement planned to support their growth.
Ultimately, W.TEC aims to track at least 30% of alumnae enrolling in STEM courses or careers within two years of completing the programme—a testament to the initiative’s long-term influence.
About W.TEC
The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) is a Nigerian nonprofit organization dedicated to building a more inclusive technology ecosystem. Through its array of programmes—such as the She Creates Camp, Early Innovators Camp, W.TEC Academy, IT4All, and SheCanWithICT—the organization has trained thousands of girls and women in digital literacy, coding, and entrepreneurship.
Since 2008, W.TEC has been at the forefront of inspiring girls to pursue technology careers, providing mentorship, research, and advocacy that promote women’s rights and inclusion in the digital economy.
Achievements at a Glance:
- 67.7% of W.TEC alumnae say the programme inspired them to pursue STEM careers.
- 35.4% are currently studying STEM-related degrees.
- 56.9% have leveraged their digital skills to earn income.
- W.TEC has received multiple local and international awards, including the 2024 AI Best Technology Education Nonprofit (Nigeria) and UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status (2021).
Inspiring Change, One Girl at a Time
The W.TEC Hackathon 2025 stands as a powerful celebration of what the International Day of the Girl Child represents—empowerment, innovation, and possibility. By giving girls the tools, confidence, and support to “solve for change,” W.TEC and Oracle Academy are shaping a future where girls are not just participants in the tech world, but leaders and innovators driving it forward.