Lagos: The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has called on government entities, industry stakeholders, and other partners to support initiatives aimed at enhancing female leadership within the engineering profession. The appeal was made during a virtual public lecture themed ‘Engineering to Lead: Empowering Women to Rise’, jointly organized by APWEN and the Zambia Women in Engineering Section (ZWES).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mrs. Margaret Oguntala, President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and a member of APWEN, emphasized the essential role that women engineers play in shaping the future of their field. In her keynote address, she stressed the importance of empowering women through education, networking, advocacy, and access to funding. Oguntala called on organizations like APWEN to continuously support the progression of women in engineering roles, highlighting the need for female leadership to drive innovation and problem-solving.
Dr. Adebisi Osim, President of APWEN, noted that women constitute less than 15 percent of engineering professionals in Nigeria, with even fewer occupying senior leadership positions. She underscored the strategic importance of increasing female leadership not only for the sake of equality but also for fostering innovation and addressing complex engineering challenges. Osim pointed out that diverse leadership teams tend to outperform homogeneous ones, especially in tackling modern engineering issues.
Osim further explained that the future of engineering leadership requires professionals who can manage technological complexities while addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges. Women engineers, she argued, are uniquely equipped to meet these demands due to their holistic approach to problem-solving and commitment to sustainable solutions. She urged engineers to cultivate business acumen, develop communication skills, build relationships, and engage in mentorship to ease their path to leadership.
Ms. Mwiche Sekeleti, Managing Director of the North-Western Water Supply and Sanitation Company in Zambia, emphasized the significance of diversity and inclusivity in engineering organizations. She highlighted how empowering women in leadership roles can substantially contribute to community development and stressed the need to overcome societal barriers that limit female participation in male-dominated sectors.
Valerie Agberagba, a former President of APWEN, reiterated the importance of mutual support among women in engineering leadership and sustainable projects. She advocated for cross-border capacity-building initiatives to empower women engineers and foster sustainable development. Agberagba also called for ethical practices and intentionality in leadership, urging women to prioritize collective interests over personal gains to solidify their leadership positions.
