Women Enginneers Inaugurate 19th President

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has inaugurated Engr. Chinyere Nnenna Igwegbe as its 19th president, with stakeholders emphasising the critical role of women engineers in Nigeria’s economic growth, innovation and national development.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held in Abuja at the weekend, president of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, described gender inclusion in engineering as a development necessity, stressing that national progress cannot be achieved without the active participation of women in engineering leadership, innovation and decision-making.

Rabiu noted that APWEN’s programmes align with Nigeria’s National Development Plan 2021-2025, particularly in human capital development, industrialisation, infrastructure expansion and inclusive economic growth.

He urged the association to strengthen collaboration with government, development partners and the private sector to increase funding for STEM education, scholarships, research grants and industrial-academic partnerships targeted at female engineering students.

“Gender inclusion in engineering is not optional. It is a development necessity. APWEN occupies a critical position as a professional body that must align its programmes directly with national priorities,” he said.

Rabiu also reaffirmed NSE’s commitment to supporting APWEN in leadership development, mentorship and policy engagement for female engineers, while calling on government and stakeholders to increase investment in women engineers as a strategy to boost national productivity and global competitiveness.

In her inaugural address, Engr. Chinyere Nnenna Igwegbe pledged to strengthen research, development and innovation among women engineers while expanding STEM initiatives for young girls and improving employability and entrepreneurship opportunities for female professionals.