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“NASENI Awards N70.5 Million in DELT-Her Grants to Empower Women in Engineering”
“NASENI Awards N70.5 Million in DELT-Her Grants to Empower Women in Engineering”
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has awarded six innovative female engineers N70.5 million in grants as part of a ground-breaking initiative to close the gender gap in engineering and technology. NASENI’s Director of Information, Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, announced the funding as part of the DELT-Her project, which is part of the agency’s Delta-2 program and aims to empower women in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Launched on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2024, the DELT-Her project seeks to address the pressing issue of gender imbalance in Nigeria’s engineering sector. Dr. Nonyem Onyechi, representing NASENI’s Executive Vice-Chairman Khalil Halilu, emphasized the importance of providing tools and support to help women excel in these fields. “Fostering innovation requires opportunities for women in engineering and technology,” he stated, encouraging grant recipients to inspire others and cultivate an environment conducive to female success.
The response to the DELT-Her initiative was overwhelming, with over 120 applications received. After a rigorous selection process, six promising projects were chosen for funding. Each recipient will not only receive financial support but also technical assistance and networking opportunities for project commercialization. Notably, some recipients have been invited to showcase their work at the AFRI Lab Annual Gathering in Cape Town, South Africa.
The grant recipients and their innovative projects are as follows:
“NASENI Awards N70.5 Million in DELT-Her Grants to Empower Women in Engineering”
Rukkaya Abdulmutalib: N3 million for an Artificial Intelligence Censored Machine to Monitor Soil Health for Greenhouses.
Patience Ibrahim-Janda: N10 million for producing Automobile Brake Pads from Organic Waste.
Amina Khaleel: N17.5 million for developing a drone for intelligent real-time security and target tracking.
Kudirat Jimoh: N16.5 million for an electronic training board/device for science and engineering students.
Ikechukwu Francisca: N8.5 million for an automatic Bambara flour processing machine.
Abisola Olayiwola: N15 million for a solar-powered snail shelling machine.
The DELT-Her project is not just about funding; it’s about changing perceptions and creating opportunities for women in engineering. Currently, women make up just 5% of the engineering workforce in Nigeria, a stark contrast to the global average of 28%. This initiative represents a crucial step towards achieving gender parity in professional spaces.
As NASENI continues to champion women’s empowerment in STEM, the DELT-Her project stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring female engineers across Nigeria. With the right support and resources, the next generation of women in engineering can truly thrive.
