The newly inaugurated Chairman of the Association of Professional Women Engineers in Nigeria (APWEN), NNPC Ltd. Chapter, Mrs. Adefunke Adekunle, has vowed to expand opportunities for young women in the engineering sector.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during her official inauguration as the second Chairman of the association, Adekunle outlined her administration’s commitment to increasing female participation in engineering, particularly by encouraging secondary school girls to pursue careers in the field.
“My administration will focus on creating more opportunities for women in engineering, providing mentorship, and promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for girls,” she said.
Adekunle stressed the importance of engineering to national development, noting that women in the profession still face significant barriers to entry and growth.
“Engineering is the backbone of national development, yet women remain underrepresented. My vision is to deepen APWEN’s impact, foster inclusivity, and create pathways for female engineers to thrive,” she added.
Her administration’s key focus areas include education and mentorship, professional development, capacity building, advocacy, and networking.
In her remarks, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Mrs. Margaret Oguntala, urged Adekunle to provide strong leadership and deliver tangible results that meet the expectations of female engineers.
“Effective leadership is essential to advancing the interests of women engineers and increasing their participation in the profession,” she said.
Guest speaker Mrs Yetunde Aladeitan encouraged women engineers to actively showcase their achievements, stating, “We must tell our own stories, highlight our contributions, and ensure our impact in engineering is recognised.”
The event also featured an award presentation to the newly appointed Group Managing Director and CEO of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Ojulari, for excellence in leadership.
Additionally, female students from Police Secondary School and other institutions attended the event, where they were introduced to the importance of pursuing engineering careers.
Current statistics indicate that women make up only 5-7% of Nigeria’s engineering workforce, a figure APWEN aims to increase through strategic initiatives under Adekunle’s leadership.
