By Grace Alegba

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Lagos Chapter, has launched a mentorship scheme to help young engineers secure jobs and eventually become employers.

The virtual launch of the ‘SheEngineers Consultancy Apprenticeship Programme’ (SECAP) was held on Friday, in commemoration of International Youth Day.

APWEN introduced the Cohort 1.0 of the programme in partnership with the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN).

Chairperson of APWEN Lagos, Dr Atinuke Owolabi, said SECAP aims to equip young female engineers with industry-standard training to become experts and future employers.

Owolabi noted that female-led initiatives would drive the future of Nigeria’s engineering and economic development.

“We are sending a clear message that engineering’s future will be inclusive, diverse and powered by the brilliance of women,” she said.

She added that SECAP offers young female engineers a unique opportunity to train with established consulting firms and be absorbed into their teams.

“We are proud that 200 young female engineers have already registered. We are mentoring and directly empowering them to thrive in consulting engineering,” she said.

Owolabi revealed that the Dangote Group had employed over 20 APWEN young engineers through its Graduate Trainee Programme.

According to her, this demonstrates APWEN Lagos’ role in creating tangible career pathways for female engineers.

She commended ACEN President, Mr Kam-Selem Bukar, for championing gender inclusion in engineering and co-hosting the SECAP launch.

She also praised APWEN’s pioneer members and elders for their service and dedication to the association’s growth.

Delivering a keynote, Bukar said Nigeria’s development relied on strong engineering solutions in infrastructure, energy, water, housing, transport and digital innovation.

He observed that while women form a large share of the STEM pipeline, they remain underrepresented in senior technical and consulting leadership roles.

“This gap stems from service barriers, limited sponsorship, and a reliance on informal networks for project access and career growth.

“SECAP is our answer to that challenge,” he said, outlining its implementation stages and timelines.

Bukar lauded APWEN’s vision to elevate women engineers into leadership and technical excellence, which aligns with ACEN’s mandate to strengthen consulting engineering practice.

ACEN Managing Director, Mrs Funmilayo Kadiri, said the collaboration would build a strong foundation for Nigeria’s future engineers.

“To our young engineers, you are entering a field that is dynamic, challenging and rewarding. Obstacles will arise, but so will opportunities,” she said.

She urged mentees to embrace guidance from mentors, who will encourage, support, and sometimes push them to think beyond their limits.

Kadiri thanked the mentors for investing their time and wisdom, noting that their impact would extend far beyond the present. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Kamal Tayo Oropo