A non-governmental organisation under the auspices of the Shaping African Women in STEM (SWIS Africa) has launched a national initiative in partnership with Top100 Future African Leaders aimed at advancing the participation of female students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) across Nigeria.

The organisation announced the selection of 44 final-year female university students from institutions across the country for its flagship SWIS EmpowHER Programme, designed to support their transition from higher education into careers in academia, industry, and entrepreneurship.

According to SWIS Africa, founded by Samuel Ogunsola and Abosede Salami, the initiative seeks to bridge the persistent gender gap in STEM fields by addressing challenges such as limited access to mentorship, career guidance, and professional networks faced by many young women.

The selected participants, drawn from diverse STEM disciplines, will undergo structured training followed by an intensive eight-week mentorship phase. During the mentorship, each participant will be paired with experienced professionals to gain practical insights and career direction.

The programme will culminate in a final project presentation, where participants are expected to demonstrate innovative solutions and readiness to contribute meaningfully to their respective fields.

Speaking during the onboarding session held yesterday, the Co-founder and Executive Director of SWIS Africa, Samuel Ogunsola, described the selection process as highly competitive, noting that all participants earned their places on merit.

Ogunsola urged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity by building networks, acquiring relevant skills, and positioning themselves as change agents in society.

The initiative sponsored by the European Union in partnership with Global Youth Mobilization through the Youth Empowerment Fund, underscored the importance of youth-led interventions in promoting gender equality, economic inclusion, and sustainable development.

SWIS Africa added that participants would become part of an alumni network designed to encourage continuous collaboration, mentorship, and long-term professional growth beyond the programme.

Ogunsola urged interested members of the public to learn more about the initiative via the organisation’s official website.