Women Engineers Make Case For Girl-Child Science Education

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has called on the Nigerian government and other stakeholders to empower the girl-child in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Dr Adebisi Osim, the national president of APWEN, made the call over the weekend in Bauchi during the 2025 APWEN, Bauchi State chapter’s public lecture and inauguration of new executives.

According to her, when a girl-child is empowered in STEM, the country would not only be creating an engineer or a scientist, but also creating a problem solver and an innovator who might design drought-resistant crops to solve food insecurity.

Represented Engr. Esther Ago, the North Central coordinator of APWEN, Osim said that the girl-child would develop sustainable water purification systems for the rural communities, build intelligent systems to manage traffic in cities among others.

“We live in a world shaped by technology. From the smartphones in our hands to the complex infrastructure that powers our cities, STEM is the language of the future.

“To exclude women from this conversation is to silence half of the world’s intellect, creativity, and problem-solving potential. It is to fly a plane with only one wing.

“To our leaders and policymakers, we urge you to continue to champion policies that make STEM education accessible and attractive to girls, invest in laboratories, sponsor scholarships, and celebrate female tech champions,” she said.

“Empowering the girl child in STEM is not a charitable act, it’s a strategic imperative for Nigeria’s technological advancement and economic prosperity. It is the surest path to building a future that is innovative, inclusive, and sustainable,” she said.

Earlier Engr. Mercy Asabe, immediate past chairperson, APWEN Bauchi, said the lecture would provide valuable opportunities for them to engage with important ideas, spark meaningful discussions, and foster a deeper understanding of STEM and Artificial Intelligence.

“I am confident that the insights shared today will inspire, educate and challenge us to think critically on global issues,” she said.

Engr. Nafisatu Abubakar, the newly elected chairperson, APWEN Bauchi chapter who spoke on behalf of others, said their mission was to inspire and mentor the girl-child to embrace STEM.

She added that they would show them that engineering was not a field reserved for men alone, but a platform where women could thrive, innovate, and lead.

“Our mission is also to strengthen professional support for women engineers, ensuring that our members have the op