March 8, 2024
Agency Report
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure(NASENI), has moved to close the gender gap in Nigeria”s engineering sector, with the launch of ” Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her”.
The initiative also known as DELT -Her was launched in Abuja on Friday.
Khalil Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman(EVC) of NASENI declared that DELT-Her was an opportunity platform through which girls and young women could pitch and present their exciting and ground breaking ideas for funding.
He said NASENI would fund the project through their Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer(PICTT).
“What we seek to do is close the gender gap in engineering, inspire the next generation, provide financial support for new ideas and projects, and ultimately strengthen the entire engineering ecosystem, ” the EVC said.
He noted that global average for female representation in engineering was 28 per cent, which was a little above one in four.
” In Nigeria, it’s only 5 per cent, only one in 20 Nigerian engineers is a woman.
“It is this imbalance that DELT-Her seeks to correct, by focusing attention and funding on young women.
” Very importantly, creating and cultivating public awareness around the need to train and mentor more women, ” he said.
Halilu stated that through DELT-Her, they intended to double the number of female engineers in Nigeria over the next five years.
He disclosed that NASENI most importantly, would contribute to the economic growth and development of Nigeria through job creation and technical skills development.
Dr Muhammad Dahiru, Chairman, Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer(PICTT), said the launch was a call for proposals towards the implementation of DELT-Her initiative.
“It is no coincidence that the launch is scheduled to be held on the anniversary celebration of the International Women’s Day.
” It is to underscore the esteem attributed to the contributions of women as well as their potentials in our society, ” Dahiru said.
According to him, the Committee is throwing the weight of support behind women through the DELT-Her project.
He corroborated that the project was focused on encouraging more female participation in Nigeria’s engineering sector.
Dahiru noted that recent statistics revealed the dire need for deliberate actions to be targeted at the existing gender imbalance in the engineering sector, to inspire inclusion while contributing to the nation’s GDP..
He maintained that the committee through NASENI’s support, was determined to fund innovative and commercially viable ideas in engineering and technology proposals by women.
He said to actualise the birth of multiple start-up companies from ideas selected under the project, each successful applicant would be matched with female mentors who are industry giants both in engineering and business.
The PICTT Chairman disclosed that the submission portal for proposals would go live from March 9 and proposals would be accepted till May 20, when submissions close.
Mrs Margaret Oguntola, President, Nigerian Society of Engineers(NSE), said the initiative was a pivotal moment in the collective efforts to foster gender inclusion and empower women in the field of engineering.
She said women remained significantly under-represented in the engineering workforce, facing barriers and challenges that hinder their full participation and advancement in the field.
Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Chairman, Senate Committee on NASENI, lauded the project as lofty and germane.
“We must ensure cultural balance that women take their rightful places in the area of science and technology.
” The right environment should be created for women to excel, ” Onyewuchi said.
