The launch of the DELT-HER initiative on March 8th, 2024, marks a crucial turning point in tackling the gender imbalance within Nigeria’s engineering sector. Spearheaded by the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT) alongside the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), this program is more than a ceremonial gesture; it’s a strategic intervention aimed at fostering inclusivity in a profession where women have historically been marginalized. With just about 5% of Nigerian engineers being female—well below the global average of 28%—the stakes are high. DELT-HER seeks to not only boost these numbers but to cultivate a sustainable ecosystem where female engineers can thrive, innovate, and reshape the national economy.
Bridging the Gender Gap through Financial Empowerment
One of DELT-HER’s most measurable impacts lies in its direct financial support to female engineers. NASENI’s disbursement of ₦70.5 million in grants to six women is a bold move to convert raw talent and innovative ideas into viable enterprises. This isn’t mere charity but a deliberate confidence boost, signaling that women in engineering possess the ingenuity and competence necessary for entrepreneurial success. Economic empowerment through targeted funding serves as the ignition key for breaking down long-standing systemic barriers, such as limited access to capital and markets, which have historically sidelined women in engineering and technology sectors. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman, articulates an ambitious vision to double the percentage of female engineers within five years. It’s a goal that ties in well with Nigeria’s broader push to close the STEM gender gap—a move that not only promotes equity but directly fuels the nation’s socio-economic progress.
Creating a Supportive Ecosystem for Leadership and Innovation
DELT-HER recognizes that merely increasing numbers is not enough; a holistic approach is needed to nurture female engineers throughout their careers. This means building bridges via mentorship programs, professional training, and networking platforms that enable women to showcase their innovations and leadership potential. Such structured support breaks down invisible walls that have often kept women from accessing technical resources, key professional networks, and new markets. By facilitating leadership development, the program nurtures a community of female engineers who can serve as role models, advocates, and innovators. This ecosystem ensures that women don’t just enter the field but are equipped to lead, influence change, and sustain progress toward inclusivity and technological advancement over the long term.
Harnessing Institutional and International Collaboration for Broader Reach
Embedded within NASENI’s wider mandate to enhance Nigeria’s science and engineering infrastructure, DELT-HER leverages the agency’s network of 12 Development Institutes nationwide. This allows the initiative to transcend urban confines and reach female engineers in diverse regions, addressing disparities related to geographical and socio-economic barriers. What sets DELT-HER apart is also its international dimension: a unique collaboration between Nigeria and the Czech Republic through PICTT. This partnership brings global expertise, innovation frameworks, and funding mechanisms that amplify the program’s impact. By integrating cross-border knowledge transfer and best practices, DELT-HER not only raises the profile of Nigerian female engineers but positions them on a competitive international stage. This global-local synergy is a savvy strategy, reflective of the realities of modern technological development and gender inclusivity.
The ripple effects of DELT-HER extend well beyond individual careers. Engineering and technology are pillars of innovation, industrial growth, and infrastructure development—sectors critical to Nigeria’s diversification from oil dependency to a knowledge-based economy. Empowering women to contribute substantially in these areas fosters diversity in problem-solving and creativity, which are essential for robust economic development. Female-led enterprises created or supported through the initiative stimulate employment and entrepreneurial ecosystems, directly influencing socio-economic resilience and expansion. Thus, DELT-HER not only targets gender equity as a standalone objective but recognizes women’s potential as key drivers of sustainable national development.
In sum, the DELT-HER initiative exemplifies a significant and multifaceted approach to transforming Nigeria’s engineering landscape. By combining targeted funding, leadership cultivation, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, it addresses both the numeric and systemic gender disparities that have long constrained women engineers. The ambitious goal of doubling female representation within five years speaks to a broader vision—not just of equality, but of harnessing the full spectrum of talent to boost innovation and economic growth. DELT-HER’s success will be measured not only in statistics but in the emergence of a vibrant ecosystem where female engineers lead, innovate, and inspire, helping chart a future where gender inclusivity in engineering is the norm, benefiting Nigeria’s society and economy alike.
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