Women engineers urged to be drivers of practical solutions

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria has challenged women engineers to move beyond advocacy to become leading drivers of practical solutions to national and global engineering challenges.

The National President of the association, Mrs. Chinyere Igwegbe, stated this during the inauguration of the third Chairman and Executive Committee of the APWEN Umuahia chapter in Umuahia, Abia State.

Igwegbe said the future of engineering would increasingly depend on innovation, sustainability and inclusive leadership, stressing that women engineers possess the technical expertise and community centred perspectives needed to address pressing issues such as climate change, renewable energy, food security, infrastructure development and technological advancement.

She congratulated the newly inaugurated Chairman of APWEN Umuahia chapter and her executive committee, urging them to build a united leadership founded on teamwork, purposeful programmes and institutional sustainability.

She said, “I encourage the new executives to strengthen members’ professional competence, mentor young girls into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education, deepen collaboration with government, industry and academic institutions, and champion gender inclusion within the engineering profession.”

Accepting her inauguration as the third Chairman of APWEN Umuahia chapter, Mrs. Chibuogwu Okoro, pledged to build an organisation recognised for excellence, innovation, professional development and sustainable community impact.

She said her administration would pursue five strategic priorities comprising membership expansion, continuous professional development, increased STEM advocacy for girls, stronger partnerships with government and private sector organisations, and engineering interventions that directly improve the lives of communities.

Okoro observed that emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, renewable energy, digital transformation and smart infrastructure are redefining engineering globally, insisting that women engineers must not merely adapt to these changes but lead them.

Earlier, distinguished speakers – Dr. Felicia Nnenna Agubata, Prof. Uwaoma Kalu Uche – Dr. Nwachukwu Chibuike and Professor Mabel Onwuka – challenged the new executive committee to prioritise mentorship, technical upskilling, community intervention projects and science communication capable of making engineering knowledge accessible to rural women and young people.

They also encouraged the chapter to institute scholarship schemes and recognition awards for outstanding students while commending the vision and strategic direction of APWEN’s programmes.