There Is Room For More Women In STEM, Says UKNIAF

The message was clear and empowering: women belong in STEM. This sentiment was echoed by Deputy Team Lead at the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), Dr Stella Odiase.

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 early-career professionals with 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 were 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 provided 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.

Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at UKNIAF, Barr. Toju Briggs, 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.

For many participants, the event was an eye-opener. Jacintha Kummiap, a final-year engineering student, shared her experience of overcoming self-doubt.

“One thing I learned from the event was to believe in yourself. As an engineering student, I have always struggled with being a female in a male-dominated sector. The Women on the Grid Hub has shown me that I am not alone and that success is achievable,” 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 encouraged 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 believed that the key to greater female representation lies in continuous mentorship and knowledge sharing.

“Women have the skills and talent to thrive in the power sector and other STEM fields. What they need is a community that encourages them to push forward,” Dr Odiase said. Through the Women on the Grid Hub, UKNIAF is creating that community by promoting collaboration, access to resources, and industry connections.

As the power sector evolves, particularly with the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, initiatives like WotGH are critical in ensuring women are not left behind. “We’re witnessing a transformation in this industry,” Dr Odiase concluded. “And we want women to be a part of it—because there is plenty of room for them to succeed.”