The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has urged women to take advantage of existing global opportunities in engineering, technology and innovation fields to enhance their career development.

APWEN President, Dr Adebisi Osim, said such opportunities are not reserved for a select few; but available to every Nigerian professional willing to step out, learn, and adapt.

Osim made the charge at a professional development forum entitled “Global opportunities for Nigerian professionals” organised by the association. She emphasised that the global market rewards expertise; hence, practitioners must continue to sharpen their skills in areas like digital transformation, engineering innovations, and leadership.

“Many global opportunities arise through collaboration and connections. Engaging with communities like APWEN and attending events like this is a step toward building meaningful professional relationships. The world is changing fast, and success depends on our ability to stay ahead of the curve.

“Global opportunities mean more than just working abroad. They encompass collaboration on international projects, remote work with global companies, access to advanced training, and participation in industries shaping the future, such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, and biotechnology,’’ she said.

According to her, with technological advancements, geographical barriers are no longer limitations as practitioners who live in Abuja, Lagos, or Kaduna can work on projects in Silicon Valley, London, or Johannesburg.

She added: “The world is more connected than ever, and our unique perspectives as Nigerians make us invaluable contributors to global systems. At APWEN, we are committed to equipping professionals with the tools and platforms to thrive globally.

“We believe that every Nigerian professional, especially women engineers, has the potential to lead in any field and contribute meaningfully to global progress. This webinar is part of our ongoing effort to inspire, empower, and connect professionals with opportunities that transcend borders.”

The Principal Investment Officer, Financial Institution Division, African Development Bank Group, South Africa, Tijani Babatunde, argued that engineers must take advantage of global opportunities through a systematic approach including being forward-thinking, adopting a data-driven approach, language and cultural proficiency, maximizing the use of the Internet and joining professional associations.

Babatunde, the keynote speaker, said the global opportunities will ensure international experience, improve employability, access to high-paying jobs, aid income at the household level, and help generate foreign exchange.

The guest speaker/Chief Executive Officer of Ninos Global Tech, United Kingdom, Yudee Uzowulu, said there are five strategies to secure global opportunities. These, she revealed include the mindset that anything is possible, skill development and intentional continuous improvement, proactive networking, use of social media wisely, and leveraging remote work platforms.

Uzowulu noted that global opportunities for women engineers include those in technology and innovation, remote working, software development, data analysis, project management, Artificial Intelligence, (AI), cyber security and virtual services.