A New Era for Women in Engineering
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, recently praised the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for its efforts in developing young female engineers into national innovators. This commendation was made during the award ceremony of the Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her (DELT-Her) initiative, a national program launched in 2024 and supported by the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer and NASENI.
The program is designed to provide funding, mentorship, and technical training to women pursuing careers in engineering, science, and manufacturing-based problem-solving. It addresses a critical issue in Nigeria’s STEM fields, where women make up less than 5% of registered engineers, and female science researchers often face underfunding, under-promotion, and limited representation in leadership roles.
During the event, Senate President Godswill Akpabio highlighted the importance of initiatives like DELT-Her in nurturing capable women engineers who can contribute to nation-building. He was represented at the ceremony by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NASENI, Senator Francis Onyewuchi.
Akpabio emphasized that the presence of these women in the hall represents courage, creativity, and conviction. He stated:
“When we exclude women, we cut the nation’s capacity in half. But when we empower women, we double our strength, creativity, and collective wisdom.”
He also assured that the 10th Senate would continue to support gender-inclusive innovation, adding that “a nation that empowers its women secures its future.”
Aligning with National Goals
Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the DELT-Her initiative aligns with Nigeria’s goals of economic diversification and local manufacturing. She noted that sustainable development cannot be achieved if the contributions of half the population are underrepresented in critical sectors such as science, engineering, and innovation.
Uzoka-Anite further emphasized that female engineers bring unique perspectives essential to technological growth, encouraging the awardees to continue leading in their respective fields.
Expanding Opportunities
The Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer, Dr Muhammed Dahiru, shared updates on the program’s rapid expansion. He revealed that the second edition of DELT-Her for 2025 attracted an impressive 9,925 project proposals, from which 14 remarkable engineers were selected as this year’s awardees.
Dr Khalil Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, highlighted the agency’s goal of doubling the number of female engineers in Nigeria within five years. He stressed that empowering women in engineering is not just about fairness but about unlocking Nigeria’s full potential.
“We have created an opportunity and a platform through which women can turn bold engineering ideas and solutions that can change the world.”
Challenges Remain
Despite high enrollment rates of girls in secondary science education, only a fraction transition into technical careers. Female researchers receive less than 12% of available STEM-related funding nationwide, according to sector data. Many women innovators struggle to access laboratories, patent support, venture capital, and procurement opportunities in government-engineering contracts, resulting in a persistent gender innovation gap.
While the DELT-Her initiative represents a promising step forward, stakeholders caution that sustained funding, policy continuity, and private-sector investment will be crucial if Nigeria is to overcome entrenched biases and fully harness the talent of women in technology and manufacturing.
The Path Forward
The success of programs like DELT-Her depends on long-term commitment from both the public and private sectors. By investing in women’s education, providing equal access to resources, and promoting inclusive policies, Nigeria can create an environment where female engineers thrive and contribute to the country’s technological and economic growth.
As the nation moves forward, it is clear that empowering women in STEM is not just a matter of equity—it is a strategic imperative for national progress.