The Federal Government of Nigeria has empowered 14 exceptional women engineers with grants totaling ₦200 million to scale up innovative projects tackling key national challenges. The initiative, known as Developing Engineering Leadership and Technology – Her (DELT-Her), aims to promote gender inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields across the country.
Launched under the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), the DELT-Her program marks a major step in bridging the gender gap in Nigeria’s technology and innovation sectors. Speaking at the award ceremony in Abuja, PICTT Chairman Dr. Dahiru Mohammed described the initiative as a “transformative platform” for empowering women to lead groundbreaking engineering solutions.
Dr. Mohammed highlighted the programme’s remarkable progress since its inception. While only six women received ₦70.5 million in the maiden edition in 2024, this year’s competition saw a surge to 9,925 project proposals, out of which 14 women were selected for grants exceeding ₦200 million. The funded projects span agriculture, clean energy, healthcare, digital security, and environmental sustainability—sectors crucial to Nigeria’s economic development.
Beyond financial empowerment, DELT-Her has also expanded its mentorship programs for young girls in secondary schools to inspire early interest in STEM careers. According to Mohammed, over 150 girls across Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Nasarawa, and the FCT benefited from bootcamps where participants developed prototypes such as biodiesel technology and solar-powered power banks. “We’re building the next generation of innovators from the grassroots,” he added.
Project Coordinator Olamide Apejoye credited the program’s rapid growth to rising awareness of female-led innovation and government support for inclusivity in STEM. She emphasized that DELT-Her not only fosters gender equality but also strengthens Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem. “The more prototypes they create, the more startups emerge—translating to more jobs, empowerment, and economic growth,” Apejoye said, encouraging more women engineers to apply for the next phase.
source: punch