NASENI, others to boost female participation in engineering
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT) on Monday launched the second phase of the Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her (DELT-Her) initiative, reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to promoting female-led innovation in engineering. Speaking during the launch at NASENI headquarters in Abuja, the Executive […]
NASENI
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT) on Monday launched the second phase of the Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her (DELT-Her) initiative, reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to promoting female-led innovation in engineering.
Speaking during the launch at NASENI headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Mr Khalil Suleiman Halilu, said the goal of the DELT-Her 2.0 initiative is to double the number of female engineers in Nigeria within five years.
The EVC, in a press statement, e-signed by the agency’s deputy director of information, Mr Chima Akwaja, described the programme as a movement designed to empower women to lead in science and technology through access to funding, mentorship and global exposure.
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“DELT-Her is fueling a wave of women-led solutions to Nigeria’s toughest challenges,” Halilu said, citing examples such as AI-powered soil monitoring, drone-based security systems, and eco-friendly brake pads developed during the first phase of the initiative.
He added that over N70.5 million was awarded to six female engineers in 2024, with further support planned under the 2025 phase in collaboration with PICTT and the Czech Republic’s Technology Agency.
Chairman of PICTT, Dr Mohammed Dahiru, described DELT-Her as a flagship project aimed at breaking gender barriers and reshaping Nigeria’s technological landscape.
He stressed the importance of raising women’s participation in engineering, which currently stands at just 5 per cent in Nigeria and 28 per cent globally.
Dahiru said successful applicants will not only receive funding but also mentorship from industry leaders to help transform their ideas into viable startups. He also acknowledged the support of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the achievements of the first cohort of DELT-Her recipients.
In a goodwill message, Chairman of the Senate Committee on NASENI, Senator Francis Ezenwa Onyewuchi, pledged continued legislative support for initiatives that promote women in engineering and science.
The Minister of Women Affairs, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Maryam Chira Keshinro, described DELT-Her as a strategic move towards inclusive innovation and national development.
She said the programme addresses structural inequalities by improving women’s access to capital and mentorship in STEM fields.
Other stakeholders, including the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntola (represented by Engr. Mistura Adenike Rafiu); Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizens and Leadership, Mrs Rinsola Abiola; and Pioneer Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, commended the DELT-Her initiative and urged female engineers to continue striving for equity in the profession.