The Chairman, Association of Professional Women Engineers in Nigeria (APWEN), NNPC Limited Chapter, Engr. Adefunke Adekunle has promised to expand opportunities for young women in engineering.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during her inauguration as the second Chairman of the association, Engr Adekunle assured that her administration would raise the number of female engineers in Nigeria.

The Guardian reports that women constitute a very small percentage of the engineering workforce, with estimates suggesting that only around 5per cent of Nigerian engineers are women.

According to the APWEN Chairman, her administration would focus on creating more opportunities for women in engineering, providing mentorship, and promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for girls.

“Engineering remains the backbone of national development. However, women in this field still face challenges that limit their representation and growth,” she said.

“As the second Chairman of APWEN NNPC Limited Chapter, my vision is clear: to deepen our impact, expand opportunities for young women in engineering, and foster an inclusive environment where female engineers can thrive.”

She highlighted the key focus of her administration to include education and mentorship, professional development and capacity building, advocacy and visibility as well as networking and collaboration.

At the event, the newly appointed Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Engineer Bashir Ojulari, was honoured with an Excellence in Leadership award.

In her remarks, the President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Margaret Oguntala urged the APWEN Chairman to demonstrate effective leadership by delivering tangible results that meet members’ expectations.

While congratulating the new leadership and encouraging them to surpass the achievements of their predecessors, the NSE President emphasized that effective leadership is crucial for advancing the interests of women engineers and promoting their participation in the engineering field.

She called on members to rally behind the new leadership, even as she charged them to intensify efforts to promote girl-child education.