NASENI Awards N70.5 Million Grant to Six Female Engineers in Pioneering DELT-Her Initiative

Emmanuel Daudu

In a trailblazing move to promote gender equality in science and engineering, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has awarded N70.5 million in grants to six young female engineers.

The funding comes under the Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her (DELT-Her) initiative, a landmark project designed to foster the growth of female-led innovations in traditionally male-dominated fields.

The DELT-Her initiative, launched on March 8, 2024, in celebration of International Women’s Day, is a part of NASENI’s Delta-2 programme.

The programme aims to provide financial and technical support to women pursuing careers in engineering and technology, an effort to close the gender gap and encourage more female participation in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.

During the grant award ceremony at NASENI’s Headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, represented by Dr. Mrs. Nonyem Onyechi, lauded the groundbreaking potential of the six awardees.

“The DELT-Her project is about more than innovation. It’s about changing the narrative and creating spaces where women can lead in the science and technology sectors,” he stated.

The projects funded by the grants span a wide range of critical areas. Engr. Amina Ibrahim Khaleel’s innovative drone for intelligent real-time security and target tracking secured N17.5 million, while Patience Ibrahim-Janda’s eco-friendly brake pads, made from organic waste, received N10 million. Each project was selected through a competitive process from over 120 applications, all of which demonstrated unique solutions to pressing issues.

Speaking during the event, the Chairman of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT), Dr. Mohammed Dahiru, explained the rigorous evaluation process.

“We’ve chosen these six innovators because their ideas are both practical and transformative. These projects have the potential to significantly impact their industries and the nation at large,” he said.

The full list of grant recipients and their projects includes:

Engr. Amina Ibrahim Khaleel, Patience Ibrahim-Janda,
Engr. Rukkaya Abdulmutalib.

Others include Engr. Dr. Kudirat Oyewumi Jimoh,
Engr. Dr. Ikechukwu Ijeoma Francisca,
Engr. Abisola Ayomide Olayiwola

In addition to the financial support, the winners also benefited from technical mentorship, links to industry experts, and assistance in commercializing their products.

Some of the recipients have been selected to represent Nigeria at the AFRI. Lab Annual Gathering in Cape Town, South Africa, where they will showcase their innovations on a global stage.

Dr. Dahiru also noted that the event coincided with the recently celebrated International Day of the Girl Child, emphasizing the importance of fostering interest in STEM fields among young girls.

At the ceremony, four Junior Girls Secondary Schools from Abuja exhibited their own technological innovations, ranging from fuel-less generators to solar-powered agricultural devices, underscoring the potential of the next generation of female engineers.

NASENI’s DELT-Her initiative is a game-changer in Nigeria’s STEM landscape, setting a bold precedent for the future of female engineers. The programme not only empowers the current crop of female innovators but also inspires young girls across the country to pursue careers in science, technology, and engineering.