Girls in Tech Initiative Bayelsa, under the leadership of its Founder, Ms Teresa Briseimo, made a remarkable impact at the National Association of Computing Students (NACOS) Tech Summit 2026, hosted by the University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT), Bayelsa State.
The summit, themed “Future-Ready: Bridging the Gap Between Campus and Industry,” brought together students, academics, technology professionals, innovators, and industry leaders for an engaging exchange of ideas on preparing young people for the realities of today’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
One of the defining moments of the event was the keynote presentation delivered by Ms Teresa Briseimo, who challenged students to look beyond academic qualifications and begin positioning themselves as creators, innovators, and solution providers. Drawing from practical industry experience, she emphasized that success in today’s technology ecosystem belongs to individuals who continuously learn, adapt, and develop solutions to real-world problems.
Addressing the students, she encouraged them to become exceptional problem-solvers by creating products and services that people genuinely need. She stressed that acquiring relevant digital skills, building practical experience, and embracing emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) are no longer optional but essential for anyone seeking to remain competitive in the global workforce.
Ms Briseimo also urged students not to wait until graduation before beginning their professional journey. According to her, the digital economy has created limitless opportunities for young people to monetize their knowledge and technical skills while still in school through freelancing, remote work, entrepreneurship, digital products, and innovation-driven careers.
Speaking on career development, she highlighted the importance of intentional networking, mentorship, and collaboration. She encouraged participants to build meaningful relationships with experienced professionals who can provide guidance, open doors to opportunities, and accelerate their personal and professional growth.
She further reminded students that failure should never be viewed as the end of the journey but rather as an opportunity to learn, improve, and build resilience. Every setback, she noted, carries valuable lessons that prepare individuals for greater success.
The summit featured a lineup of distinguished speakers, including the Vice Chancellor of the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Prof. Solomon Tamarabrakemi Ebobrah, the Dean of the Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Prof. Francis David Sikoki, and Destiny Otobo, President of NACOS (UAT Chapter), who hosted the event.
Participants benefited from insightful discussions on career readiness, emerging technologies, industry expectations, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of work. Students were also introduced to fully funded learning opportunities, project-based experiences, mentorship programmes, and specialized training in high-demand technology fields, including Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, UI/UX Design, Software Development, Cybersecurity, and other in-demand digital skills.
The interactive session left participants motivated and equipped with practical strategies to excel academically while preparing for successful careers in the technology industry. Students expressed enthusiasm about applying the lessons learned to develop innovative solutions, build professional networks, and maximize opportunities within the digital economy.
Speaking after the event, Ms Teresa Briseimo reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of technology leaders.
“The future belongs to young people who are willing to learn continuously, embrace innovation, solve meaningful problems, and create value. At Girls in Tech Initiative Bayelsa, we remain committed to ensuring that no young person is left behind in the digital revolution. Through mentorship, digital skills training, strategic partnerships, and community engagement, we are building a generation that is not only future-ready but capable of shaping the future.”
Girls in Tech Initiative Bayelsa continues to champion digital inclusion by empowering young people, particularly girls and women with relevant technology skills, mentorship, innovation opportunities, and career development programmes. Through strategic collaborations with educational institutions, technology communities, and industry stakeholders, the organization is actively bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry practice, helping to build a workforce equipped for the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
As technology continues to transform industries and redefine careers, Girls in Tech Initiative Bayelsa encourages students and aspiring professionals to seize every opportunity to learn, innovate, collaborate, and position themselves for meaningful impact in the global digital economy.
Signed: Nimi Uzaka – Graphics Designer – Gitibayelsa
Abigail Reuben – Content Creator – Gitibayelsa