The Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Technology, Innovation and Research at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Christine Ofulue, has praised the collaborative efforts of women in developing digital solutions to combat climate change. This commendation was made during the opening of the 2026 Women-in-WACREN Workshop, which convened women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from across Africa.

The four-day workshop, themed “Empowering Women to Build Digital Solutions for Climate Action,” commenced on Monday, October 12, 2026, at NOUN headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, and is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, October 15.

While welcoming participants, Prof. Ofulue emphasized the workshop as a vital opportunity to promote inclusive learning, celebrate women’s contributions, and enhance networks for sustained collaboration in addressing climate challenges. “For us at NOUN, this gathering underscores the aspect of inclusive learning,” she stated, adding that the workshop serves as a valuable platform for women to exchange ideas and formulate innovative responses to climate change.

Mr. Chinedu Otuya, representing the Programme Coordinator of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), Dr. Joshua Atah, commended Women-in-WACREN and the West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN) for their efforts in promoting women’s participation and leadership in STEM. He noted that addressing climate change necessitates collaborative, innovative, and technology-driven responses.

Otuya expressed optimism that the workshop’s Innovation Lab would empower participants to convert ideas into practical solutions for climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience. He also acknowledged NOUN for hosting the workshop and for its ongoing partnership with NgREN and the National Universities Commission (NUC).

In a presentation on Africa’s climate-resilience challenges, Prof. Amos Kabo-Bah from Ghana discussed opportunities for the continent to utilize existing knowledge and emerging technologies to tackle climate risks. Similarly, Dr. Vivian Chinwe Nnamdi, in her presentation titled “From Problems to Solutions: Designing Practical, User-Centred Digital Solutions for Climate Resilience,” urged participants to devise solutions that cater to the needs of affected communities. She highlighted practical applications such as digital flood-risk maps, early-warning systems, and climate-information dashboards as tools to enhance community resilience.

Coordinated by WACREN Project Manager, Ms. Abigail Essel, the workshop has organized participants into six teams, each supported by mentors and facilitators. The teams are tasked with identifying specific climate-resilience challenges, developing and demonstrating prototypes, and preparing six-month plans for further testing and development. This initiative aims to bolster the capacity of women across West and Central Africa to leverage digital innovation for climate action, thereby contributing to the creation of more resilient communities and institutions.