Recognizing Women in Engineering: A Step Toward National Innovation
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, recently commended the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for its efforts in cultivating young female engineers into national innovators. This recognition took place during the award ceremony of Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her (DELT-Her), a national initiative launched in 2024 and supported by the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer and NASENI.
The program offers funding, mentorship, and technical training to women pursuing careers in engineering, science, and manufacturing-based problem-solving. This initiative is particularly significant given the persistent gender gaps in Nigeria’s STEM fields, where women make up less than 5% of registered engineers. Female science researchers also face challenges such as underfunding, under-promotion, and limited representation in leadership roles.
During the event, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the initiative as a vital platform to develop capable women engineers essential for nation-building. He was represented at the ceremony by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NASENI, Senator Francis Onyewuchi.
“In this hall, we see the faces of courage, creativity, and conviction. These are women who dare to look at problems not as walls, but as doors to new possibilities. 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,” Akpabio said.
He assured that the 10th Senate will continue to support gender-inclusive innovation, adding, “A nation that empowers its women secures its future.”
Aligning with Economic Goals
Also speaking at the event, Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, emphasized that the DELT-Her initiative aligns with Nigeria’s economic diversification and local manufacturing goals. She stated that sustainable development cannot be achieved if the contributions of half the population are underrepresented in critical sectors like science, engineering, and innovation.
“The DELT-Her reflects our conviction that sustainable development cannot be achieved when the contributions of half of our population… are underrepresented in critical sectors such as science, engineering, and innovation,” she said.
Uzoka-Anite highlighted the unique perspectives that female engineers bring to technological growth and urged the awardees to continue leading in their fields.
Expanding the Initiative
Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer, Dr. Muhammed Dahiru, shared insights on the rapid expansion of the program. He noted that the second edition of DELT-Her for 2025 has demonstrated extraordinary growth, attracting 9,925 project proposals. From this competitive pool, 14 remarkable engineers have emerged as this year’s awardees.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Dr. Khalil Halilu, emphasized the agency’s goal of doubling the number of female engineers in Nigeria within five years. He stated that the initiative provides an opportunity and platform for women to turn bold engineering ideas into solutions that can change the world.
“Empowering women in engineering is not just about fairness. It’s about unleashing Nigeria’s full potential,” he said.
Addressing Persistent Challenges
Despite high enrollment rates of girls in secondary science education, only a fraction transition into technical careers. According to sector data, female researchers receive less than 12% of available STEM-related funding nationwide. 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 may appear to be an emerging drive to nurture female engineers, 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 Road Ahead
The success of programs like DELT-Her depends on continued support from both the public and private sectors. By investing in women engineers, Nigeria can tap into a vast reservoir of talent and innovation that has long been underutilized. As the country moves forward, it is essential to ensure that these initiatives are not only launched but also sustained over time.
By addressing systemic barriers and promoting inclusive policies, Nigeria can create an environment where women engineers thrive and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development. This effort requires collaboration across all sectors, from government agencies to educational institutions and private enterprises.
Only through such collective action can Nigeria truly unlock the potential of its female engineers and build a more equitable and innovative future.