The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Lagos Chapter, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening hands-on skills and bridging the gap between theory and practice for young practitioners.
Immediate past APWEN chairman, Dr Atinuke Owolabi, stated this at the association’s annual general meeting, awards and election of new officials in Lagos.
Reviewing her two-year tenure, Owolabi highlighted key achievements, including the Lagos Skill-Up Initiative with AUTO-GIG (USADF), which trained 25 engineers in Auto-CAD; digital manufacturing training at Microsoft for 38 members; and a two-series cybersecurity workshop.
The chapter also launched the SHEnovation Hackathon, rolled out the SECAP programme that engaged 200 young female engineers, and organised practical sessions in mechanical, solar and civil engineering.
She further noted that APWEN inspired over 1,500 girls through STEM-based education and awareness programmes, hosted a holiday camp in Makoko in honour of Dr Felicia Agubata, awarded scholarships, and supported the “She Creates and Robotics Demos” at Pan-Atlantic University.
According to her, the chapter facilitated job placements with Tranos, Covenant Plus, and secured 20 positions at Dangote. “Although I am stepping down as chairman, I will continue to be actively involved in APWEN Lagos. As a board member of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) representing the Southwest, I am committed to empowering future engineers and creating more opportunities for our members,” she pledged.
The chapter also inaugurated the APWEN Lagos Innovation & Resource Hub at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and donated engineering and innovation tools to its Faculty of Engineering.
On membership growth, Owolabi disclosed that 120 new members, including students, professionals and retirees, were inducted, while student chapters were launched at UNILAG, YABATECH and LASU to encourage student-to-professional transition. She urged members to support the incoming leadership in “lighting the path for the next generation of female engineers.”
