The Chairman of the Association of Professional Women Engineers in Nigeria (APWEN), NNPC Ltd. Chapter, Mrs Adefunke Adekunle, has pledged to expand opportunities for young women in engineering.
Adekunle made this known in Abuja on Thursday during a public lecture and her inauguration as the second Chairman of the association.
She promised that her administration would increase the number of female engineers in the country, starting from secondary schools.
“My administration will focus on creating more opportunities for women in engineering, providing mentorship, and promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for girls.
“Engineering remains the backbone of national development. However, women in this field still face challenges that limit their representation and growth.
“As the second Chairman of APWEN NNPC Ltd. Chapter, my vision is clear: to deepen our impact, expand opportunities for young women in engineering, and foster an inclusive environment where female engineers can thrive,” she said.
Adekunle outlined the key focus areas of her administration, including education and mentorship, professional development and capacity building, advocacy and visibility, as well as networking and collaboration.
Earlier, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Mrs Margaret Oguntala, urged Adekunle to demonstrate effective leadership by delivering tangible results that meet members’ expectations.
Oguntala emphasised that strong leadership is crucial for advancing the interests of women engineers and promoting their participation in the engineering field.
The Guest Speaker, Mrs Yetunde Aladeitan, urged women engineers to celebrate and showcase their achievements.
“We need to sell our stories, share our experiences, and highlight our contributions to the field of engineering and society.
“Nobody will tell your story for you. So we need to share our journey with the world, allowing people to appreciate and learn from what we have accomplished,” she said.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of an award of excellence in leadership to the newly appointed Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Ojulari.
Female students from Police Secondary School and other institutions were also educated on the importance of choosing engineering as a career.
According to current data sources, women constitute approximately five to seven per cent of the engineering workforce in Nigeria.
