News Agency of Nigeria
Anambra govt. trains 60,000 youths in digital technology — Commissioner

Anambra govt. trains 60,000 youths in digital technology — Commissioner

171 total views today

By Chimezie Anaso

Dr Law Mefor, Commissioner for Information in Anambra, says no fewer than 60,000 youths have been trained in digital technology by the Gov. Chukwuma Soludo administration.

Mefor said this at the inauguration of Tell Your Neighbour About Solution (TYNAS) Support Group in Awka on Saturday.

TYNAS installed Mefor, Pius Udo, a former Clerk of Anambra State House of Assembly and Titus Akpudo immediate past chairman of Association of Anambra State Town Unions as their Patrons during the event.

Mefor said the government targeted to train one million youths in its digital tribe creation initiative under the Solution Innovation District (SID) programme.

He said the governor was an achiever and global citizen who had exceeded his manifesto through his legacy projects.

The commissioner said his ministry would produce a scorecard flyer for the group to help them go about their campaign activities.

“Soludo administration has trained 60,000 youths in digital skills free; this is a training that is valued at an average of N3.5 million per student.

“Soludo is not constructing political roads but roads that are designed for 20 years, you do not need to tell lies about Soludo, you do not need propaganda to campaign for him, he is a global product.

“All his achievements are legacy projects, he is implementing free education, free healthcare, these are not in his manifesto and he has done all these without borrowing.

“We will win this election free and fair, the job of TYNAS is going to be at the polling units,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Chief Emeka Mbagha, Convener and Director-General of TYNAS, said Soludo had done well in his first term and deserved to be returned for a second term.

Mbagha said the governor had executed numerous game-changing projects while in office and charged members to go to their homesteads and spread the good news.

He said Soludo had exceeded expectations through his road infrastructure, free education, free antenatal care and merit based massive recruitment.

According to him, Soludo is blessed to live good as a person, but he has decided to use it for the good of humanity.

“Let us go forth and talk to our communities, our age grades, non-indigenes that Soludo has done well and deserves a second term.

“We have decided to key into this gift of God to humanity by spreading the message, the reward for government work is more work,” he said.

Also speaking, Chief Pius Udo, another patron of the group said Soludo came prepared for the task and he hit the ground running of governing Anambra.

According to him, Soludo started with Okpoko, and we all see the difference today.

“He has done well, he deserves a second term, our campaign for him is based on conviction and not for benefits,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama

FG to spend N17bn on Lagos bridge damaged by fire

FG to spend N17bn on Lagos bridge damaged by fire

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By Lydia Chigozie-Ngwakwe

The Federal Government has successfully negotiated the cost of the Iddo Bridge rehabilitation from an initial N27 billion to N17 billion.

The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, made this known to journalists during an inspection of the bridge in Lagos.

He said: “Julius Berger quoted, I think, N27 billion or thereabout, but after much negotiation and discussion, we now arrived at N17 billion.”

Umahi commended Julius Berger Nig. Plc. for demonstrating a sense of cooperation under its new leadership.

He described the company as a “born-again Berger”, attributing the breakthrough in negotiation to the understanding and openness of its new managing director.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to prudent spending, insisting that all contractors must align with the ministry’s standards and directives.

Umahi noted that the project had been reviewed from mere rehabilitation of the burnt section to a major work.

He expressed concern over the poor condition of the bridge, blaming it on years of neglect and human abuse, including illegal occupation and collisions by heavy-duty trucks.

He said that three spans of the bridge were severely damaged by fire, which he attributed to activities of illegal occupants who had built makeshift homes under the bridge.

“They brought in chemicals, built block walls and set up homes. Then, they set up fire that burnt the bridge and damaged three spans. Now we are going to fix the bridge completely,” Umahi said.

The minister said the Iddo Bridge, now with a headroom of about 4.5 metres, had suffered significant structural damage due to continuous hits from trucks and illegal structures beneath it.

He announced that the ministry would be creating a headroom of at least 5.6 metres.

He said that the Federal Ministry of Works was committed to restoring the bridge for the safety of all Nigerians and ensuring such incidents would not occur again.

On the issue of displaced persons, the minister said that no one would be allowed to return under the bridge.

“Nobody will stay under Iddo Bridge again as long as I remain the Minister of Works.

“The lives of the people are more important,” he said.

He warned that the government would no longer tolerate any abuse of national infrastructure. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Gwagwalada residents hail Wike on road projects

Gwagwalada residents hail Wike on road projects

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By Uche Bibilari

Some residents of Gwagwalada Area Council have commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, for the ongoing rehabilitation of roads and improvements in infrastructure.

They noted that the projects were already boosting economic activities in the district and improving ease of movement for residents and businesses alike.

The residents said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the official commissioning of the newly rehabilitated 10-kilometre roads in the area on Friday.

They expressed optimism that the improved infrastructure would ease transportation, enhance business activities, and contribute to the overall development of Gwagwalada.

They expressed optimism that the renewed focus on road infrastructure would significantly ease movement, improve access to markets, and foster growth across the council.

Mr Onyema Uzoechi, a businessman, described the road rehabilitation as “unprecedented,” noting that the roads, especially the market road, had been in a deplorable state for years, severely affecting trade and movement.

“Before now, the Gwagwalada market road was terrible, especially during the rainy season.

“This made access almost impossible. I’m very delighted with this development and urge the minister to consider other roads in the council,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Suleman Abdulhamid, a motorcyclist, said the improved roads had boosted his daily earnings.

“Before the rehabilitation, I used to avoid that route due to its bad condition. Now, business is better and smoother,” he said, commending the minister for prioritising infrastructure.

“When government does well, they should be commended.”

Also speaking, the President of the FCT Market Women and Men Association, Mrs Sarauniya Erondu, thanked the minister for responding to the plight of FCT residents.

She noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu was gradually being felt through Wike’s interventions.

“Only God will reward him and the president for giving us a good minister,” she said, also appealing for women’s empowerment and support for small traders.

NAN reports that the roads rehabilitated include Aguma Palace Road, Radio Nigeria Road, New Market Road, and other connecting routes. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Abiemwense Moru

FG’s land reform will not infringe on state government’s rights-Minister

FG’s land reform will not infringe on state government’s rights-Minister

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By Angela Atabo

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has clarified that the Federal Government’s land reforms will respect state governments’ authority over land matters in their jurisdictions.

He made the remarks during a two-day Ministerial Retreat on Performance Management System and the signing of the 2025 Directors’ Performance Contracts, in Abuja on Friday.

The retreat, themed “Accelerating Service Delivery through Performance Contracting and Strategic Alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” aimed to enhance sectoral outcomes.

Dangiwa noted that land reform was key to unlocking Nigeria’s vast land resources and delivering affordable housing, one of the ministry’s 2025 priorities under the Presidential Performance Bond.

He confirmed the goal was to deliver 20,000 affordable homes nationwide and expand the National Land Registration and Documentation Programme (NLRDP).

“Access to land is critical for housing development. We must collaborate with states to digitise land records, promote transparency, and secure tenure,” he said.

He assured that the federal reform “will not infringe” on states’ land rights but would instead coordinate efforts to harness more than N300 trillion in untapped land assets.

The minister revealed that many governors had adopted Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for land management and urged others to follow.

He also announced plans to establish a National Land Commission to streamline land governance, deliver policy coherence, and strengthen regulatory oversight.

Permanent Secretary, Dr Shuaib Belgore, said the ministry’s 2025 PMS Plan included ongoing affordable housing projects like “Renewed Hope Cities” (3,000–5,000 units each in four locations) and “Renewed Hope Estates” (250 homes in 13 locations, with expansion underway).

He added that a “Renewed Hope Social Housing Programme” 100 homes per local government, totalling 77,400, had been proposed to address Nigeria’s housing deficit.

Mr Mukhtar Iliyasu, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, described PMS as a tool for results-based public administration.

He said the retreat aligned the ministry’s goals with national priorities and culminated in a memorandum of understanding signed by all directors and department heads to commit to efficient, accountable service delivery. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Take govt interest-free loan to fund your businesses, Edo youths urged

Take govt interest-free loan to fund your businesses, Edo youths urged

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By Imelda Osayande

The Speaker, Edo Youth Parliament, Mr Fawaz Muhammad, has urged youths to leverage the state’s N1 billion interest-free loan to fund their businesses.

Muhammad made the appeal while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Benin.

 The initiative aims to empower youths to improve their means of livelihood, fostering economic growth and development in the state.

The speaker noted that youths in the state are skilful, resourceful, and talented, adding that most of them needed the capital to start up or expand their businesses.

According to him, the interest-free loan programme would help reduce restiveness and crime to the barest minimum because youths will now be meaningfully engaged.

Mohammed commended the Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, for his administration’s strategic focus on youth empowerment.

He described the initiative as a “bold and commendable investment in the capacity, creativity, and future of Edo youths”.

He called on the beneficiaries to make wise use of the opportunity and be shining examples of the values and vision that the state upholds. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joe Idika

Days of empty promises, abandoned projects over in FCT – Tinubu

Days of empty promises, abandoned projects over in FCT – Tinubu

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By Philip Yatai and Uche Bibilari

President Bola Tinubu says the days of empty promises and abandoned projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other parts of the country are over.

Tinubu stated this in Abuja on Friday, while inaugurating the newly rehabilitated Aguma Palace, Radio Nigeria, New Market Road and other connecting roads in Gwagwalada.

The project was the 17th, inaugurated by Tinubu to celebrate his second year in office.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the president assured Nigerians that no community under his administration was too far to be seen, and no voice too faint to be heard.

He added that his administration was steadily bridging the gap between promise and performance.

He said that the projects being unveiled in the FCT were not imposed from above but nominated by the people of Gwagwalada themselves.

“This is the kind of democracy we believe in; one that listens, one that responds, and one that delivers.

“The road is a corridor of dignity for the market women, a path to safety for our school children, and a road to prosperity for the hard-working trader.

“We are not just building infrastructure; we are building confidence and governance.

“For too long, those who lived beyond the city centre have watched development happen from a distance.

“They have watched their dreams of inclusion delayed by excuses, and their hopes defied by shifting priorities; we are here to rewrite that history,” he said.

Tinubu said that his government was not just rehabilitating roads but rehabilitating trust.

According to him, the transformation unfolding across the FCT is the product of deliberate reforms and the bold reform-oriented policies of this administration.

“By expanding the revenue base of the FCT, we are investing in roads, schools, hospitals, and people.

“The newly rehabilitated Aguma Palace, Radio Nigeria, and New Market Road is a lifeline to the communities it connects.

“From rehabilitated healthcare centres to improved learning environments for our children, from safer roads to a more responsible public service, the FCT is undergoing a quiet revolution.”

He said that the revolution was made possible by people like the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who refused to accept mediocrity.

Describing Wike as the most colourful politician in the Nigerian political landscape, the president thanked the minister for his accomplishments so far.

Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to projects that speak directly to the lives of the people.

“We are focused on creating an enabling environment for businesses to grow, for families to thrive, and for communities to prosper.

“We are determined to ensure that development is not a privilege reserved for the few, but a right enjoyed by all,” he added.

In his remarks, Wike said that the 10-kilometre road was nominated by the residents of Gwagwalada, including the 9.5km Paikon-Kore Road, constructed and inaugurated in 2024.

“One good thing about the projects in rural areas is that, we never sat in the city and said, go and do so, so, road.

“We came here and the people said, this is what we want. This is what we call community participation in governance.

“The day we came here for the flag off of this project was the day I knew the importance of these roads to the residents of Gwagwalada. The road had completely collapsed and the people were suffering,” he said.

Acknowledging the excitement on the faces of Gwagwalada residents, the minister commended Tinubu for supporting the FCT Administration to deliver life-impacting projects in satellite towns.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described the various projects inaugurated by Tinubu in the last 16 days “as enablers of economic growth, social harmony, and improved quality of life”.

“The inauguration of this road is a demonstration of our dedication to inclusive governance and infrastructure renewal in both urban and rural communities,” Mahmoud said.

Earlier, Mr Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, the Coordinator of the FCT Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), said that the project was awarded in September 2024 to a local contractor.

Zulkiflu added that the completion and inauguration of the road marks a significant advancement in the FCT’s efforts to improve infrastructure in satellite towns and area councils, which reflect Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agender”.

He thanked Wike for the trust placed on STDD to manage and oversee the execution of the project. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Performance management system critical in achieving housing mandate-Minister

Performance management system critical in achieving housing mandate-Minister

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By Angela Atabo

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has emphasised that the Performance Management System (PMS) is playing a critical role in delivering the government’s housing mandate.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Ahmed Dangiwa, said this at the Ministerial Retreat on Performance Management System (PMS) and signing of the 2025 Director’s Performance Contract in Abuja on Thursday.

The theme of the retreat is “Accelerating Service Delivery through Performance Contracting and Strategic Alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda”.

Dangiwa explained that the Presidential Performance Bond signed by all ministers was a contract with Nigerians, adding that it heightened public expectation and direct presidential oversight of results.

According to him, PMS is monitored through performance dashboards and scorecards developed by the Central Delivery Coordinating Unit (CDCU) under the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination.

“As a ministry, our 2025 deliverables are therefore clear, measurable, and imperative.

“They include: the construction of 20,000 housing units nationwide, as part of the Renewed Hope Housing Programme; and the development of fiscal incentives to attract private investors into local production of building materials and components.

“It also includes deepening and expansion of land registration and documentation programmes to secure land tenure and enable investment.”

Dangiwa added that the deliverables included the establishment of a National Land Commission to institutionalise land reforms and drive coordinated land administration nationally and full implementation of PMS in all departments.

According to the minister, these are not aspirational goals, they are concrete deliverables, each tied directly to national priorities and Presidential mandates.

“With two years now behind us, we have entered what I often refer to as the “Era of Evidence” a phase where the success of governance is measured not by policy intentions, but by tangible outcomes and verified results.

“President Bola Tinubu has articulated a bold and inclusive vision for a Renewed Hope Agenda, one that promises dignity, opportunity, prosperity, and decent shelter for all Nigerians. Our ministry is central to this agenda.”

Dangiwa said through housing development, land reforms, urban planning, and regulatory innovation, the ministry was positioned to unlock not just homes, but hope, jobs, equity, security, and national pride.

He said the ministry’s Accelerative Roadmap for 2025 for achieving the deliverables included the delivery of 20,000 affordable housing units nationwide to provide decent shelter, stimulate job creation, improve livelihoods, and contribute to national economic growth.

He said every department must identify and eliminate the bottlenecks slowing down the effort, from procurement to site preparation, from approvals to disbursements.

He said another delivery was the development of fiscal incentives to reduce cost of construction and attract private investment in local building material production.

He said access to land remained a critical enabler for housing development central therefore; the National Land Registration and Documentation Programme (NLRDP) needed be expanded to evolve into a national platform.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, said the retreat offered the opportunity to align the ministry’s deliverables with national priorities and operationalise PMS as an essential tool for driving institutional efficiency and accountability.

Belgore said the maiden edition of the retreat held in 2024 and was instrumental in identifying and articulating the ministry’s priorities and deliverables under the Presidential Priorities aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“In line with this directive, our ministry is fully committed to complying with all outlined requirements within the stipulated timeline.

“Achieving this will, however, require our collective resolve, active participation, and unwavering dedication to the implementation of the PMS.”

Belgore said the ministry would offer leadership by investing in digital tools, providing clear policy direction, support oversight for PMS execution and fostering a culture of transparency, feedback and collaboration among others.

The Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Mukhtar Iliyasu, said the retreat was convened in accordance with the directive of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, as outlined in the circular of 11th March, 2025.

Iliyasu said in 2024, the ministry recorded remarkable progress and the 2025 retreat would review the 2024 performance, agreeing on performance expectations and facilitate the signing of the 2025 Performance Contracts across all levels.

“It is important to reiterate that non-compliance with PMS guidelines, as emphasised by the Head of Service, will attract sanctions.

“We are firmly in the era of accountability and result-based management. The business-as-usual approach is no longer acceptable,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

FCSC reaffirms commitment to merit-based reforms, strategic civil service overhaul

FCSC reaffirms commitment to merit-based reforms, strategic civil service overhaul

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By Okon Okon

The Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, says the commission is committed to restoring merit, professionalism and strategic focus in the Nigerian Civil Service as part of ongoing reform efforts.

Olaopa stated this at the close of a three-day Strategic Development Retreat organised for commissioners and staff of the commission in Abuja.

He explained that the retreat was a direct response to President Bola Tinubu’s charge on Dec. 13, 2023, for a complete transformation, reorientation and digitisation of the federal bureaucracy to enhance productivity.

He said this was in addition to support private sector-led growth in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He noted that on assuming office, the commission’s leadership undertook a rapid diagnostic assessment, which revealed a pressing need to shift from a patronage-driven structure to a system rooted in merit, efficiency and excellence.”

According to him, this realisation, along with the administration’s ambition to grow Nigeria’s economy to 1 trillion dollars by 2030, informed the decision to develop the commission’s first-ever strategic plan in its 71-year history.

“The retreat, held with technical support from the partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PAGE) a UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) programme focused on re-engineering the FCSC for better delivery of its core mandate.

“Key outcomes of the retreat include a cross-national comparative analysis of global best practices, covering civil service commissions in the U.S., UK, Canada, South Africa, Kenya and Malawi.

“Lessons were also drawn from institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

“Participants also undertook a revalidation of the commission’s vision, mission and core values; developed a draft strategic plan; and conducted a comprehensive PESTLE and SWOT analysis to understand internal and external factors affecting the commission’s performance.”

The chairman of the FCSC also said that retreat addressed stakeholder mapping and examined the erosion of meritocracy in human resource management.

He noted that while the civil service was not overstaffed in absolute terms, a mismatch of skills and functions had hindered productivity.

“The commission reaffirms its commitment to restoring the principle of merit as the cornerstone of recruitment, promotion and discipline within the federal civil service,” he said.

Olaopa said that the commission as part of its resolution agreed to finalise a five-year strategic plan (2025 to 2029), introduce a performance-managed secretariat, and link annual promotions to measurable outcomes and accountability.

“It will also pursue the following key goals; institutionalise a transparent, technology-driven recruitment system, introduce a performance-based promotion framework and strengthen ethical disciplinary procedures.

“It will further establish a culture of recognition and reward, reposition the FCSC as a reform-driven body aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

He emphasised that these reforms were crucial to restoring public trust, enhancing service delivery, and supporting the current administration’s ambition of building a trillion-dollar economy by 2030.

“We are resolute to implement the reforms and position the FCSC as a model for public sector excellence in Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker

FCT primary teachers to call off strike following Wike’s intervention  

FCT primary teachers to call off strike following Wike’s intervention  

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By Philip Yatai

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), may soon call off the three-month primary school teachers’ strike, following the intervention of the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

Chief of Staff to the minister, Mr Chidi Amadi disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday, after a closed-door meeting with the area council chairmen, leadership of the NUT, and representatives of the FCT Administration.

Other participants at the meeting, he said, included representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANs) and the National Assembly.

Amadi explained that the meeting was convened by the minister, in addition to previous interventions to find a lasting solution to the prolonged teachers’ strike.

According to him, after extensive deliberation, a decision was reached to put the issues to rest.

He announced that part of the resolution was to withhold the 10 per cent accrued Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the area councils for the past six months.

He explained that the funds would be used to settle 70 per cent of the minimum wage owed the teachers.

“Although it will not cover 100 per cent of the debt for now, it will cover about 70 per cent. This is a laudable move towards addressing the fracas once and for all.

The chief of staff added that the minister had also directed that a Special Committee be constituted, composed of three members of NUT, two members from FCTA, one of the area council chairmen and representative of NANs.

He added that the committee would revisit all the other outstanding issues and within the next two weeks, submit a report detailing how the other outstanding issues would be permanently addressed.

“In addition to addressing the issues of the primary school teachers, Wike had taken a decision to address all outstanding issues of the local government employees.

“The minister pledged to personally intervene to ensure that their demands are addressed by the FCTA.

“This is to ensure that the area councils resume full operations effectively immediately.

Speaking on behalf of the area council chairmen, Mr Abubakar Abdullahi, acknowledged the resolution, saying “although it was not in favour of the area councils, it was necessary to resolve the issues.

“Six months of our IGR had been held to settle this issue. Ours at this point is to appeal to NUT to consider our children and call off the strike.

“Please NUT, we are calling on you to respect the fact that the minister has taken his time to resolve this matter.

“Wike had clearly stated that by law, he has no right to take the 10 per cent IGR of the area councils to clear the outstanding debt of the teachers.

“However, the chairmen have all agreed because they also, collectively, want an end to the strike and so we have agreed that the 10 per cent IGR should go to the teachers”.

He expressed optimism that the strike would be called off before Friday, so that children would go back to school.

Also, the National President of NANs, Olushola Oladoja, lauded the resolutions and expressed hope that the outcome would finally put the matter to rest and the teachers return to class.

Oladoja commended the minister for taking the bold step, stressing that any of the council chairmen could take him to court over such a decision.

“However, I believe because the council chairmen also want the issue resolved, they have no option but to concede the IGR for six months,” he said.

On his part, the NUT Chairman, Mohammed Shafa, acknowledged the deliberation, but said he would get back to the NUT State Executive Council, where the final decision would be taken.

The news Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the teachers had embarked on the strike in March over non-implementation of minimum wage

Other issues included non-implementation and payment of 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase, and non-implementation and payment of 40 per cent peculiar allowance.

The union were also demanding the payment of the N35,000 wage award and the implementation of the template on outstanding entitlements of teachers as agreed in 2022. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Be gender responsive in your policies – Women Engineers tell govts, industry leaders

Be gender responsive in your policies – Women Engineers tell govts, industry leaders

195 total views today

 

By Angela Aatabo

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has called on governments at all levels and industry leaders to be gender-responsive in their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) policies.

The President of APWEN, Dr Adebisi Osim, made the call at an event to mark the 2025 International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the theme for this year’s day is “Together We Engineer: Advancing Women’s Leadership in Engineering”.

Osim said the call was imperative in order to promote inclusion in tandem with this year’s theme.

Quoting the UNESCO’s 2023 Science Report, Osim said only 28 per cent of the world’s engineering graduates are women, and even fewer rise to leadership roles.

She added that in Nigeria, the figure is lower. Specifically, from the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria 2022 data (COREN 2022), about 15 per cent of registered engineers are women,

She explained that the low number of women in engineering was not due to lack of talent, but as a result of systemic barriers, stereotypes, and a lack of enabling structures.

“So, the question before us is: How do we change that? How do we, together, give women engineers a better path?

“It can be done through mentorship and sponsorship. Every woman is a mentor-in-waiting. Let us take deliberate steps to lift others as we climb.

“Another way is through policy and advocacy.  We must continue to engage with policymakers to make STEM education accessible to girls.

“I call on government and industry leaders to support gender-responsive STEM policies and fund women-led engineering innovations.”

Osim underscored the need to leverage digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, stressing that the future of engineering is digital.

She advocated for women engineers to be equipped with AI, automation and data analytics skills.

The president also advocated that work-life integration should be supported, so that leadership would not come at the cost of well-being.

“APWEN is exploring flexible work programmes and wellness initiatives for our members, because we believe that a supported woman leads better,” she said.

Osim, therefore, encouraged women and men to continue to create awareness on equipping girls in STEM and mentor one more student.

The National Vice Chairman, Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE), Temitope Aboyeji in a presentation titled “Engineering Inclusion: Building Gender-Balanced Leadership Teams for a Sustainable Future” called for enforcement of gender policies.

According to Aboyeji, this would support diversity, equity and inclusion of women in leadership pipelines.

According to her, engineering inclusion is the intentional effort to ensure that individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and backgrounds have equal access and opportunity to contribute to the engineering profession.

She said this involved removing biases, ensuring access, and building a culture where everyone regardless of gender, race, or background can thrive.

She said it combines diversity, equity, and belonging into the engineering profession.

“The future of engineering depends on inclusion. For too long, the field has struggled with gender imbalance, limiting innovation and sidelining valuable perspectives.

“Engineering inclusion means more than just increasing numbers- it means creating environments where women and men contribute equally, lead confidently, and collaborate effectively.

“Gender-balanced teams are proven to be more creative,’’ she said.

Aboyeji said women engineers bring unique insights that enhance the relevance and effectiveness of engineering solutions.

“To build such teams, we must break down systemic barriers through targeted education policies, mentorship programmes and workplace inclusion strategies.

“Creating environments where all voices are valued, empowers more young women to pursue and thrive in engineering careers.

“Engineering inclusion is neither charity nor fairness, it is a strategic imperative, a mark of smart and forward-thinking leadership for teams and organisations, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute and succeed,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

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