Victoria Tokolo
The Lagos State Chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has organised a series of career talks in government secondary schools across Lagos Mainland to encourage girls to pursue careers in engineering and other STEM-related fields.
The programme, themed “Exploring Pathways, Building Futures,” was aimed at inspiring female students to embrace engineering as a viable profession capable of creating opportunities for personal and national development.
Students from various government secondary schools participated in the event and were also provided with educational materials by APWEN to support their academic pursuits.
Speaking during the programme, APWEN Lagos State Chairman, Engineer Bosede Oyokunle, who was represented by Engineer Adeola Adeleke, said the association decided to partner with government schools in support of efforts to improve girl-child education and professional development.
According to her, APWEN believes that exposing students to career opportunities early in life will help shape them into responsible and career-oriented adults.
“We cannot leave the responsibility of mentoring young people to government alone. APWEN, as a responsible professional body, is contributing its quota by encouraging the girl-child to embrace engineering, which is a noble profession,” she said.
Adeleke added that students in their formative years need guidance and encouragement to discover their potential and develop confidence in their abilities.
“We want them to understand that there is dignity in labour and that they can become whatever they aspire to be if they remain focused and committed,” she added.
Also speaking, Engineer Uchechi Ijeoma Edosomwan, Technical Secretary of APWEN Lagos Chapter, said the association was working to bridge the gender gap in engineering by encouraging more girls to enter the profession.
She noted that many women in the past were discouraged from studying engineering, but APWEN is changing the narrative by proving that women can excel in the field.
“Women are naturally result-oriented, critical thinkers and effective multitaskers. We want these girls to know that nothing is impossible for them,” she said.
Edosomwan explained that the association’s mantra is “Encourage, Enhance and Excel,” adding that APWEN is focused on helping girls develop the skills needed to succeed in engineering and other STEM careers.
She further stressed the importance of core science subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Technical Drawing, while also highlighting English Language as essential for effective communication in the profession.
On the theme of the programme, she said the initiative was designed to guide students on how to identify their strengths, overcome weaknesses and build successful careers through proper planning and self-development.
Similarly, Engineer Excellence Mabelcash John, a member of APWEN Lagos Chapter, said the association chose government schools because of their large student population and the need to reach more girls, especially those from less privileged backgrounds.
She said the initiative was intended to empower female students and assure them that their background should not limit their ambitions.
“Despite their background, they can become whatever they want to become in life,” she said.
The Principal of Girls Senior High School Agege, Mrs. Motunrayo Modinat Rasheed, commended APWEN for the initiative, describing it as highly motivating for the students.
She said the programme helped the girls realise that engineering is not exclusively for men and that women can also build successful careers in the profession.
“Seeing female engineers speak to them directly has inspired the students and given them confidence to believe in their future,” she said
