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By Gloria Ikibah

Spouses of members of the House of Representatives have gathered in Abuja for a two-day capacity-building workshop focused on digital empowerment, leadership and personal wellbeing.

The programme, organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency in partnership with the House of Representatives Spouses’ Association, is designed to equip participants with the tools needed to navigate an increasingly digital world while strengthening their roles as community influencers.

The initiative explores how women can harness technology to unlock new opportunities, sharpen leadership skills and expand their impact beyond the political sphere.

Opening the session, wife of the Speaker, Hajia Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, underscored the importance of mental wellbeing and emotional balance. She noted that as partners to public office holders operating in high-pressure environments, maintaining resilience and psychological stability is essential.

The workshop blends conversations around digital innovation with discussions on self-care and personal growth, reflecting a broader push to ensure women are not only technologically prepared but also emotionally grounded as they support national leadership.

She said, “There are expectations to meet, schedules to manage and public perceptions to navigate. As spouses, we are often confidantes and encouragers. We provide stability behind the scenes.

“Yet we, too, need strength. We, too, need tools to manage stress and sustain well-being. Recognising mental health as a component of leadership is a mark of maturity, not weakness.

“The focus on mental health and emotional resilience is equally important. Public life often involves invisible emotional labour”.

She explained that the role of the Speaker demands resilience, patience and ability to listen, even in moments of disagreement.

“As spouses, we witness this up close. We see the sacrifices that public service requires. We also share in them. That is why this Association is so important.

“The House of Representatives Spouses Association is more than a social body. It is a community of women who understand the unique pressures of public life. Visibility brings honour, but it also brings scrutiny. Influence creates opportunity, but it also comes with responsibility.

“In today’s world, these realities are amplified by technology. As highlighted in the programme outline, public exposure now extends beyond physical spaces into digital platforms. Social media, messaging applications and emerging technologies have transformed how we communicate and how we are perceived.

“A single post can travel far beyond its original intent. Misinformation spreads quickly. Children are increasingly exposed to online risks.

“That is why sessions on digital and financial literacy, digital wellbeing and cyber protection are so essential. We cannot afford to be passive users of technology.

“We must understand digital footprints, privacy controls and responsible engagement. We must equip ourselves with the knowledge to protect our families and guide others wisely.

“I am also pleased that this programme addresses entrepreneurship, financial confidence and opportunities in the digital economy.

“Women across Nigeria face barriers to economic participation, yet we know that when women are economically empowered, families and communities benefit”, she said.

The Chief of Staff to the President and former Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has described the spouses of lawmakers as vital players within Nigeria’s governance landscape, stressing that public service does not begin and end with elected office.

According to him, they occupy a distinctive position shaped by moral influence, community confidence and discreet yet effective diplomacy. In his view, their roles as confidants, advisers and steadying forces place them at the intersection of institutions and ordinary citizens, often helping to narrow the gap between policy and lived reality.

Their work in advancing women’s empowerment, youth development, healthcare advocacy and education, he noted, should not be seen as secondary to governance but as central to national progress.

Gbajabiamila also applauded the leadership of Hajiya Fatima Abbas Tajuddeen for championing digital capacity building in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency. He described the move as forward-looking and necessary at a time when technological change is reshaping economies and societies at speed.

He pointed out that digital competence now underpins competitiveness, arguing that technology has evolved from a supporting tool into the backbone of modern economic systems and public institutions. Influence, he added, is increasingly exercised through digital engagement, data and innovation.

The training, he said, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader drive for economic renewal and digital transformation, including the 3 Million Technical Talent programme aimed at equipping Nigerians with skills to compete globally.

He urged participants to treat the workshop as more than a routine exercise, encouraging them to see it as an opportunity to deepen their leadership capacity, strengthen their voice and promote digital awareness within their communities, noting that nation-building demands collective effort.