The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has made a bold commitment to increase the number of female engineers in Nigeria within the next five years. This announcement was made by the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Suleiman Halilu, during the launch of the “Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her” (DELT-Her) initiative. The event coincided with the global celebration of International Women’s Day.
DELT-Her is a groundbreaking program that aims to bridge the gender gap in engineering in Nigeria. It is part of the Delta-2 program and is designed to inspire and support the next generation of female engineers. The initiative will provide financial support for innovative engineering projects, help turn these ideas into successful businesses, and strengthen the overall engineering ecosystem in the country.
Halilu described DELT-Her as an “opportunity platform” where girls and young women can present their engineering ideas for funding. NASENI will collaborate with the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT) to support these projects. The goal is to increase the representation of women in engineering in Nigeria, where currently only five percent of engineers are female, compared to the global average of 28 percent.
Through DELT-Her, NASENI plans to double the number of female engineers in Nigeria over the next five years. This will involve a strong focus on secondary education to encourage young girls to consider engineering as a career path. The initiative will also raise awareness about the importance of training and mentoring women in the engineering profession through school programs and storytelling campaigns.
NASENI’s commitment to empowering women in engineering is a significant step towards creating a more diverse and inclusive engineering workforce in Nigeria. By investing in the next generation of female engineers, the agency is not only addressing the gender imbalance in the field but also paving the way for innovative and sustainable engineering solutions in the country.
