Nigerian soccer legend Asisat Oshoala advocates for women's tech literacy

Legendary women's footballer, Asisat Oshoala, and Lara Dewar, chief marketing officer of the GSMA, join the Light Reading podcast to discuss tech literacy, the mobile usage gap, and how companies and governments can make more opportunities for girls and women in telecom and tech. 

Oshoala, who hails from Lagos, Nigeria, is one of the top players in Nigeria’s national soccer team history.

According to The Associated Press, she is the first Nigerian to score in three Women's World Cups.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) named her African women's player of the year in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2023.

In her 20 starts with Bay Area FC this season, she's scored seven goals and one assist.

Lara Dewar and Asisat Oshoala at MWC24 in Las Vegas. (Source: Phil Harvey/Light Reading)

As an ambassador for the GSMA, Oshoala is using her fame and media availability at MWC Las Vegas to raise awareness of the usage gap. This gap occurs when people are covered by mobile voice and data networks but aren't online for a variety of reasons unrelated to coverage. 

A personal connection

In the podcast, Dewar and Oshoala discuss some of the reasons why the gap exists.

Oshoala talks about how she was personally affected by fear, mistrust, and hesitancy to embrace mobile connectivity and digital platforms as her star rose.

The conversation then turns to the GSMA's work with Tech4Girls. Dewar discusses the importance of connecting with young women early to remove the stigma of STEM education and pursuing a career path in tech and telecom.

Related:Sub-Saharan Africa remains the least connected region globally

Oshoala's namesake foundation in Nigeria has similar goals, she says, as it works with young women in sub-Saharan Africa to promote digital literacy and give them opportunities in life, through organized sports and mentorship programs.

* This podcast was originally published on Light Reading, Connecting Africa's sister site.