Room For More Women In STEM Exists, Says UKNIAF

The room is wide enough to accommodate more women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Dr Stella Odiase, deputy team lead at the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), echoed this sentiment.

She disclosed this during the STEM Marketplace event organised by the Women on the Grid Hub (WotGH) in Abuja.

“There is room for more women in this industry,” she said, emphasising that the power sector offers exciting opportunities for women ready to take on the challenge.

The event held to connect female STEM undergraduates and accomplished female leaders in Nigeria’s power sector, highlighted the importance of mentorship in addressing gender disparities.
Dr Odiase addressed the common perception that STEM fields are intimidating for women, urging participants to embrace the sector with confidence.

“Younger women need to know there is no need to be scared of the STEM space. As we can see from the power sector, so many exciting things are happening,” she added.

With over 60 participants, including final-year students and early-career professionals, the event prstellovided a platform for direct mentorship and meaningful exchanges.

The interactive format of the marketplace featured nine stalls representing key aspects of the electricity value chain, such as transmission, distribution, gas-to-power, and regulation. Female executives—referred to as “vendors”—offered advice, career guidance, and personal insights to “customers,” the young women eager to advance in STEM.

Barr. Toju Briggs, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at UKNIAF, praised the format of the event for creating impactful interactions.

“The marketplace structure fostered direct engagement between mentors and mentees. Seeing young women leave the event with clarity, confidence, and new connections reinforces the importance of this initiative,” she said.

Mrs. Fatima Lawan Muhtar, company secretary and legal adviser at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), served as one of the STEM Marketplace vendors and shared advice on embracing new opportunities under the recently passed Electricity Act 2023.

“I encourage the young professionals to stay curious, keep learning, and explore the emerging opportunities the Act brings,” she said. “As a Woman on the Grid Hub champion, I’m committed to fostering a community that empowers women in STEM and supports their growth.”

Dr Odiase and the UKNIAF team believe that the key to greater female representation lies in continuous mentorship and knowledge sharing.