Women in IT: Adenike Osofisan

Women in IT - Professor Adenike Osofisan

The Women in ICT blog recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Professor Adenike Osofisan, the first woman to be awarded a PhD in computer Science in Nigeria. She is an outstanding computer professional and administrator who has an enviable track record in the computing profession. Prof. (Mrs.) Nike Osofisan's Inaugural Lecture has been fixed for Thursday the 25th of August, 2011 at University of Ibadan (U.I.), Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. Time is 5.00pm @ Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan. Title: "Transforming Data Dust to Data Gold".

A recognized IT leader, her contribution to the growth of IT in Nigeria through her activities in education, research and professionalism has been immense. Not only has she done significant academic and research work in computing, she is a seasoned and recognized university administrator, having been the Head of Computer Science Department, University of Ibadan for several years.  Professor Adenike Osofisan has publications in learned journals and conference proceedings; nationally and internationally and has been a research fellow at several world class institutions. Her area of specialisation is: Data Mining and Software Engineering.

Professor Adenike Osofisan at a public forum .... continually promoting professionalism in IT

She is well known for promoting professionalism in IT through her leading role in professional bodies including the Nigerian Computer Society and has chaired many committees set up by computing organizations. Highly regarded for her leadership efforts in Nigeria’s IT community, Professor Osofisan is a Fellow of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and a former President/Chairman of the council of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN). The CPN is the organization established by government to regulate, control and supervise the computing profession in Nigeria.

She is a fellow of  the Nigerian Institute Management and a life member of the Nigeria Economic Society and member of the Association of Nigeria Woman in Science, Technology and Mathematics. Additionally, she is a member of the Association of Computing Machinery in America and Member of Computer Society, IEEE. She has been recognized at several fora within and outside the country and has won several awards for her immense service and leadership efforts in education, research and professionalism in IT. She was conferred with the Woman of Merit “Gold Award” in recognition of her contributions to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the field of Computer Science.

Women in ICT blog observes that through her accomplishments in academics, administration and professionalism, she is recognized as a leader and authority within the computing community. In addition she continually gives back to the society through public service and by serving as an inspirational mentor and role model to many women and men in the IT profession and other spheres of life.

Continually making significant impact, she has deployed the leading positions she has occupied in her career to shape policies, support education and encourage the growth of young professionals.

Adenike O. Osofisan, B.Sc. (Ife), M.Sc. (Georgia Tech), Ph.D. (O.A.U), AMBA (Ibadan) (Data Communication and Data Mining) FNCS, FNIM. Professor  will present her inaugural Lecture on Thursday the 25th of August, 2011 at University of Ibadan (U.I.), Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.  Women in ICT blog sends her Massive Congratulations for achieving this feat in her professional career

 For being such an inspiration and role model. Women in ICT Blog celebrates Adenike Oyinlola Osofisan

Closing the Gender Digital Divide

Closing the Gender Digital Divide - Empower Women Create the Future

Just like men, more women need to use ICTs to be more productive and effective as they carry out their career and life roles in an ICT driven world. We all need to use ICT to manage information, for work and business, to interact with colleagues, friends and family, to have a voice in local, national and global communities.

For Women in ICT Blog, digital exclusion is a luxury none of us can afford. But the participation of women in ICT should not be limited to consumption. Women should be able to create and shape ICT and contribute as professionals, entrepreneurs and innovators.

So how well are women using ICT to realize their potentials? In particular how has ICT helped the economic and social development of women? Women in ICT Blog is of the opinion that gender inequalities in ICT hinder the ability of girls and women to access and use ICT.

For example, isn’t it amazing that very few women work in such an important sector (ICT)? And when women work in ICT, where do they work in large numbers? ICT creates more jobs, but in which areas do you see more women? Are most women in places they can fulfill their dreams? Highly skilled, high value added, or the “dirty and sweaty” dead-end work? At the “Empower Women, Create the Future” session organized by Jidaw Systems, Women in ICT Blog asked:  How can we grow as a nation if half of the population is not fully involved in an area that has become an imperative to innovation, business and organization? We cannot create the future in this manner.

Women in ICT at the March 2011 Free IT Career Seminar

Women need to be empowered to enhance their contribution to growth and to live their dreams. Are technologies, including ICTs, really gender-neutral? All over the globe, women’s enrollment in science and technology programs is low. Surveys conducted regularly at Jidaw's IT training center indicate the percentage of women that enroll for IT Training and certification courses is always less than 6%. Without ICT education how can women fulfill their potential with ICTs? What are the economic and socio cultural issues at play? How well informed are girls and women about ICT career and entrepreneurship opportunities? Concerning ICT, are women aware of all the issues at stake? This special session on women at the free career seminar questioned whether women are getting the right information on ICT and ICT careers. Through what lens are women looking at ICT? To the Women in ICT Blog, these are the key areas and issues of concern.

The Blueprint

Human beings discriminate. Societies discriminate. Technology does not discriminate. If you have the interest, passion, education and creative flair nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, should stop you. Your ability to write a software program has nothing to do with whether you are a man or woman. To create a real sustainable future, women need to have equal opportunities for income generation, career development and improved quality of life through ICTs. With ICT skills you are able to use your abilities, potentials and ideas in different areas of technology at all levels. 

The message of the Women in ICT Blog is that we ALL need to create a just, realistic and better tomorrow when women can fully contribute and improve their communities; when women can live their dreams as ICT users, professionals and entrepreneurs. It’s time to remove the status quo barriers hindering gender equality and the advancement of women with ICTs. 

There is no other blueprint. Closing the digital divide between women and men – the gender digital divide - is the blueprint.

Women in ICT: Mrs. Jibike Itegboje

Women in ICT - Mrs. Jibike Itegboje

The Women in ICT blog recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Mrs. Jibike Itegboje, an outstanding computer professional who has an enviable track record in the computing profession.

Jibike Itegboje has been Director of Management Information Systems (MIS), Yaba College of Technology. In the profession, Mrs. Itegboje focuses on education and administration and how to improve professionalism. Her love for growing the young has seen her deploy her long stint in the educational sector to teach, guide and mentor many young women and men starting out in the IT profession. 

In addition to being acknowledged as a great professional herself, Women in ICT blog observes that she is also an inspirational mentor to younger professionals and a leader within the computing community. 

Mrs Jibike Itegboje delivering her thought provoking address at the African Children Cyber Safety Forum in 2010

Highly respected and principled, with considerable accomplishments in the field of computing, the Women in ICT blog notes that Mrs. Itegboje is a force to be reckoned with in the promotion of professionalism within the IT sector. She is a Fellow of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and has been Chairman of several key NCS committees including the Education Committee and the Conferences committee.   

Continually making significant impact, she has deployed the leading positions she has occupied in her career to shape policies, support education and encourage the growth of young professionals.

 She has been such an inspiration and role model. Women in ICT Blog celebrates Mrs. Jibike Itegboje