The Nigerian government has launched a renewed initiative aimed at increasing female participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This was announced by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, during the Delta 2 Technology Transfer Programme award ceremony, hosted by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in Abuja. The event coincided with the International Day of the Girl Child.
Minister Nnaji emphasized the importance of nurturing young girls’ interest in STEM early, stating, “Our approach is to engage them while they are young. Focusing on JSS1 and JSS2 students with exceptional projects lays the foundation for basic science; when we teach them sciences early, technology naturally follows.”
He reiterated the government’s commitment to increasing female representation in STEM, adding, “We want to see more women actively participating. Women have a significant impact on their families and communities, and we prioritize them in initiatives where resources are available.”
During the event, young girls demonstrated impressive STEM projects, including one that generated methane using petrol mixed with water and camphor. “The ingenuity of these young minds is remarkable,” Minister Nnaji praised.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s *Renewed Hope Agenda*, Nnaji expressed optimism about the transformative potential of early STEM engagement. He also stressed the need to turn student projects into market-ready solutions, with exhibitions serving as key platforms for refining these innovations.
Dr. Nonyem Onyechi, NASENI’s Coordinating Director of Planning and Business Development, emphasized the importance of connecting research with industry needs, stating, “Our biggest challenge is bridging the gap between research institutes and industry. Without this linkage, we cannot leverage technology effectively for national development.”
The Delta 2 Programme, which focuses on funding projects by young female engineers, seeks to close the gender gap in technology and engineering sectors. Dr. Dahiru Muhammed, Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer, echoed this sentiment, stressing the need to change the narrative surrounding women’s participation in these fields. He also highlighted the Delta Hub initiative, launched earlier this year to provide resources and support for young women in technology.
Minister Nnaji concluded by encouraging women to embrace STEM opportunities, saying, “Our society values and recognizes the contributions of women, and we continue to promote their participation in these fields.”
This intensified focus on nurturing young female talent in STEM is seen as a strategic move to drive innovation and technological advancement in Nigeria.
