CITAD Awards ₦500,000 to Best Female Innovator at Kole Shetima Democracy Challenge

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has awarded a special cash prize of ₦500,000 to the Best Female Innovator at the Dr. Kole Shettima Innovation in Democracy Challenge, reaffirming its commitment to gender equity and women’s inclusion in innovation and democratic development.

The award was announced at the close of the Challenge in Damaturu, Yobe State, where three winners had earlier emerged from ten shortlisted innovators. Notably, none of the initial winners were women, prompting CITAD to introduce a special intervention aimed at recognising outstanding female participation.

Announcing the award, CITAD’s Executive Director, Engr. Yunusa Zakari Ya’u, said the decision was deliberate and necessary to address long-standing gender gaps in innovation and civic technology.

“Innovation and democracy cannot thrive when half of the population is excluded,” Engr. Ya’u said. “Women continue to face structural barriers that limit their access to opportunities in technology, leadership, and civic innovation. This award is our way of challenging that imbalance.”

He explained that the ₦500,000 prize is equal to the amount awarded to each of the three winners earlier announced by the organisers, stressing that the intervention was not symbolic but substantive.

“We want to send a clear message that women’s contributions matter and deserve equal recognition and support,” he added.

Engr. Ya’u further noted that the initiative aligns with CITAD’s long-standing work in promoting women’s digital inclusion, leadership, and participation in governance, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

“For years, CITAD has invested in building women’s capacity in technology and civic engagement. This intervention is part of our broader commitment to ensuring that women are not left behind in shaping democratic processes,” he said.

The Dr. Kole Shettima Innovation in Democracy Challenge is designed to identify, support, and scale youth-led innovations that strengthen democracy, accountability, and civic participation across Nigeria and West Africa.

Participants and observers at the event commended CITAD’s action, describing it as a timely and powerful statement on the need for gender inclusion within innovation ecosystems.

One participant noted that the intervention “goes beyond words to action” and could inspire more young women to participate boldly in future innovation and democracy-focused initiatives.

With the special award, CITAD has once again positioned itself as a leading advocate for inclusive innovation and democratic development in the region.