CALABAR, CROSS RIVER— Cross River State has actually sealed its position as a fast-rising tech center in Nigeria after the Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Calabar, secured a brilliant second-place surface at the distinguished Third National Girls in ICT Competition 2026.
The trainee innovators stood apart amongst over 3,700 participants from schools throughout the 36 states of the federation.
The nationwide tech showdown, arranged by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Development and Digital Economy, concluded at the State Home Conference Centre in Abuja.
The platform showcased innovative software and hardware prototypes crafted entirely by young schoolgirls to deal with regional socio-economic difficulties.
Governor Otu Praises “Worthy Ambassadors”
Responding to the exceptional accomplishment, the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, described the runner-up finish as a huge validation of his administration’s continuous financial investments in fundamental education, digital literacy, and human capital development.
While the Unique Education Centre, Bauchi, became the general national champ, the ladies from FGGC Cross River outpaced Resonance Science School, Abia, which ended up third.
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Guv Otu specified that emerging in the leading 3 of an extremely competitive national swimming pool is no ordinary accomplishment, keeping in mind that the success proves Cross River is blessed with exceptionally talented young minds capable of matching worldwide standards.
First Woman Prompts Finalists to Stay “Curious and Brave”
The grand finale was enhanced by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who delivered a motivating address to the national finalists.
Mrs Tinubu charged the women to stay “curious, positive, and brave,” urging them to view technology not merely as a pathway for individual improvement but as an effective tool to boost grassroots communities.
Guv Otu aligned himself with the First Lady’s vision, emphasising that every scientific advancement begins with interest.
He noted that empowering young girls with vital digital abilities is a tactical financial investment that yields stronger families, smarter neighborhoods, and a more resistant nationwide economy.
The occasion likewise featured top-level policy presentations from the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, who restated that intellectual radiance knows no geographical borders in Nigeria.
The Minister alerted that the nation’s digital economy might never reach its complete capacity if females and girls were left behind, asserting that the future economy can not be developed by “only half of Nigeria.”
Guv Otu applauded Dr Tijani’s steadfast dedication to broadening digital addition through nationwide structures like Job BRIDGE, the Three Million Technical Skill (3MTT) Program, and the National Artificial Intelligence Method.
Supporting this vision, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad, challenged the trainees to step beyond being simple passive consumers of foreign technology and become proactive inventors.
Governor Otu invited the Federal Government’s upcoming rollout of specialised Code Club packages, which will provide Raspberry Pi computers, robotics equipment, and strenuous teacher-training resources to public schools nationwide, mentioning that such grassroots democratisation of technology is what will specify Nigeria’s competitiveness in the 21st century.