The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has urged girls to embrace Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and develop problem-solving skills.

The association gave the charge at the seventh edition of the Mayen Adetiba Technical Boot Camp for Girls (MATBC), themed “Girls in Engineering: Powering Sustainable Futures with Technology.”

The programme brought together more than 100 students from schools across Lagos, who showcased their skills by constructing model houses powered by solar panels.

Wesley Girls Junior Secondary School won the innovation contest with N350,000, while Onike Girls Junior High School and Gbagada Junior Secondary School came second and third, winning N250,000 and N150,000 respectively.

President of APWEN, Chinyere Igwegbe, said the initiative was designed to channel girls’ energy into engineering while equipping them with practical skills, teamwork and smart-technology knowledge.

She said the programme also provided mentorship to help participants discover their strengths and abilities, adding that the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) made it necessary to encourage young people to think beyond conventional approaches.

Igwegbe urged girls to remain focused, resilient and confident in overcoming challenges in engineering. She also advised parents against imposing career choices on their children, urging them to identify and nurture their abilities.

The guest speaker, Ifeoluwa Akolade, said engineering begins with curiosity, identifying problems and developing practical solutions.

She urged aspiring engineers to build strong foundations in science while developing creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Founder of the boot camp, Mayen Adetiba, encouraged the girls to embrace discipline, imagination, perseverance and courage, saying these qualities would help them succeed in engineering and other careers.

She said the initiative was created to help girls see engineering as a profession in which they belong and can make meaningful contributions.Adetiba also urged them to uphold values that would shape their character, regardless of their eventual career choices.

The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ali Rabiu, represented by a former APWEN president, Idiat Amusu, commended the association for its sustained efforts to empower women and girls in engineering.

Rabiu described the boot camp as having grown beyond mentorship into a platform for intellectual engagement, technical development and nurturing future female engineers.

She urged the participants to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the programme and pursue engineering with confidence, innovation and a commitment to leadership.