The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has called for the creation of a supportive and enabling environment to encourage girls and women to develop interest and thrive in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

The appeal was made by a former President of the association, Felicia Agubata, during a virtual APWEN Insight Series themed, “Women and Girls in Science and Engineering: Building the Future Pipeline.”

The Insight Series, an initiative of APWEN, is designed to promote professional development, technical advancement and leadership growth among women engineers, while also inspiring young girls to pursue careers in STEM.

Preventing Leakages in STEM Pipeline

Agubata stressed that sparking early interest in science-related subjects, ensuring retention through mentorship, and sustaining advocacy efforts are crucial to preventing what she described as “leakages” in the female STEM participation pipeline.

According to her, beyond classroom instruction, deliberate structural support systems are needed to nurture talent, remove barriers and ensure continuity for girls pursuing careers in science and engineering.

She noted that access to mentorship, scholarships, inclusive policies and visible female role models would significantly improve participation and long-term retention.

From Rural Beginnings to Engineering Leadership

Reflecting on her personal journey, Agubata described herself as a determined rural girl raised in a post-war environment shaped by deprivation but strengthened by resilience.

She recounted supporting her late mother through petty trading and farm work while maintaining academic excellence and participating actively in sports. Her passion for hands-on problem-solving and practical innovation, she said, ultimately led her into engineering.

Agubata urged young girls to embrace hard work, discipline, community support and a strong sense of responsibility as essential pillars for success in technical professions.

Recognising Trailblazers in Engineering

The former APWEN president commended the founding members of the association for laying a strong advocacy foundation since its establishment in 1982.

She also referenced pioneering women who have broken barriers in engineering and related industries, including Margaret Oguntala, the first female President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

Agubata noted that such trailblazers have demonstrated that women can excel across diverse sectors, including oil and gas, consulting, infrastructure development and academia.

Building a Structured Career Pathway

In her remarks, the current APWEN President, Chinyere Igwegbe, encouraged young engineers to take deliberate and strategic steps towards building sustainable and impactful careers.

Igwegbe explained that the theme of the event was carefully crafted to highlight the processes, stages and foundational building blocks required to nurture and sustain the next generation of engineering professionals.

“Building the future pipeline represents the structured pathway through which aspiring engineers must pass, equipped with the right knowledge, mentorship and professional values necessary for long-term success,” she said.

She emphasised that mentorship and structured professional guidance remain central to strengthening female participation in the engineering profession.

Strengthening Nigeria’s STEM Future

APWEN reiterated its commitment to promoting inclusivity in engineering and creating platforms that empower girls and women to compete globally in science and technology.

Stakeholders at the event agreed that improving STEM participation among girls is not only a gender issue but also a national development priority. Expanding the talent pool in engineering and technology, they said, would drive innovation, industrial growth and economic competitiveness.

As Nigeria continues to push for technological advancement and industrial expansion, APWEN’s advocacy underscores the importance of creating supportive policies, accessible opportunities and strong mentorship networks to secure the future pipeline of female engineers.

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The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has called on women engineers and professionals across sectors to harness emotional intelligence as a vital tool for effective leadership, conflict resolution, and empathetic governance.

APWEN President, Dr. Adebisi Osim, made the remarks during a webinar titled “Harnessing Emotional Intelligence for Effective Leadership and Governance”, organized in collaboration with the Zambia Women in Engineering (ZWES) Section.

Dr. Osim emphasized that engineering extends beyond designing structures to connecting societies through knowledge-sharing and empowerment. While technical expertise is essential, she said, emotional intelligence is what transforms skilled engineers into exceptional leaders.

“In a world where technical prowess is essential, emotional intelligence turns good professionals into great leaders. It’s the secret sauce that helps practitioners navigate teams, resolve conflicts, and govern with empathy,” Osim stated.

She noted that women in engineering often balance high-stakes professional demands with personal responsibilities, and emotional intelligence provides stability in managing both. Highlighting the example of former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Osim noted how emotionally intelligent leadership helped stabilize a post-war nation and earned Sirleaf global recognition, including the Nobel Peace Prize.

Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, she said women engineers’ innovation in producing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) went beyond technical creativity. Emotional intelligence enabled leaders to motivate anxious teams and navigate supply-chain challenges, ensuring successful delivery to frontline workers.

“Closer to home in Zambia, female leaders in engineering have used emotional intelligence to advocate gender-inclusive policies and transform male-dominated boards into collaborative spaces,” she added.

Guest speaker Dr. Patricia Nekpen Opene-Odili, founder of the Osaide Foundation, described emotional intelligence as a cornerstone of transformational leadership. She explained that leaders who understand and manage emotions constructively are better equipped to communicate with empathy, build trust, navigate conflict, and influence responsibly.

Dr. Opene-Odili stressed that integrating emotional intelligence strengthens self-awareness, enhances self-management, and enables leaders to understand community sentiment, anticipate reactions, and govern sensitively.

“Leaders grounded in emotional intelligence build institutions on transparency, fairness, and human dignity. Emotional intelligence enhances public trust, improves policy communication, and strengthens crisis leadership,” she said.

She urged leaders across governance, education, and corporate sectors to make emotional intelligence a daily practice, emphasizing that understanding people and oneself is key to leading effectively.

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The initiative seeks to foster economic growth by providing guidance, support, and resources to these women, equipping them for success in their professional journeys.

Dr. Adebisi Osim, President of APWEN, led the launch during the inaugural public lecture in Lagos, organized by the APWEN Lagos Chapter, in honor of Mrs. Idiat Amusu, the association’s fourth president. Amusu is celebrated as Nigeria’s first female agricultural engineering graduate to actively practice the profession.

Speaking on the theme Empowering Generations through Lifelong Learning, Innovation, and Collaboration, Dr. Osim emphasized the importance of mentorship in ensuring young women in engineering receive the tools they need to excel. She stressed that the program is a significant step toward creating a more diverse and inclusive engineering profession.

“Through mentorship, we can empower the next generation of women engineers and ensure that they thrive in their careers,” Dr. Osim said. “This scheme is a testament to Amusu’s legacy in the engineering profession, and I urge everyone to take full advantage of it.”

The new APWEN mentorship scheme is designed to nurture future leaders by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and essential support to succeed in engineering and make valuable contributions to the sector.

Dr. Osim concluded, “By investing in mentorship and collaboration, we can help ensure that engineering continues to shape a brighter, sustainable future for all.”

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The hub, named after Ife Oyedele Resource and made possible through the donation of a 200-capacity hall by the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Lagos, will create a collaborative ecosystem where female engineering students and young engineers can access resources, exchange knowledge, and develop innovative solutions to address societal challenges.

During the inauguration ceremony, Mrs. Atinuke Owolabi, the chapter’s new chairman, highlighted that the hub will offer members and aspiring engineers access to cutting-edge resources to enhance their skills and capabilities. The hub features cutting-edge technology, high-speed internet connectivity, an entrepreneurship hub, modern infrastructure, a 200-capacity hall, an innovation lab, and networking events.

Owolabi explained that the hub will also be used for research and development, engaging with local schools, universities, and community organizations to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, mentorship, and career guidance for young girls interested in pursuing engineering and technology careers.

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The chapter will leverage partnerships with government agencies, corporate sponsors, academia, and NGOs to sustainably operate the resources.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde, expressed confidence in Owolabi’s leadership and stated that the Lagos state government is ready to collaborate and partner with APWEN in uplifting women engineers in the state.

In a lecture, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ashiru advocated for the economic empowerment of women to contribute to engineering and national development. He emphasized the need for inclusivity in the engineering workplace, suggesting policies such as flexible working hours, maternity leave, mentorship programs, and measures to prevent workplace harassment to make engineering more conducive for females.

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Ashiru stressed the importance of networking, community support, mentorship, and other opportunities for women in engineering, noting that women must celebrate themselves and publish success stories in terms of inventions and innovations.

In her inaugural address, Owolabi pledged commitment to comprehensive training programs for members by equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s evolving engineering landscape. She also solicited partnerships with government and private organizations, urging support for the chapter’s Internship and Graduate Trainee Scheme.

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