FG Moves to Double Female Engineers, Launches DELT-Her Phase Two
By Patience Ikpeme
The federal government has declared its commitment to advancing female engineers through active support for women-led innovation.
This commitment comes from the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT).
Speaking at NASENI’s headquarters on Monday, during the launch of the second phase of the Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her (DELT-Her) proposal portal, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, outlined the goal of doubling the number of female engineers in Nigeria within five years.
He described DELT-Her as a movement encouraging women to take on leadership roles, with NASENI offering support through funding, mentorship, and exposure to global platforms. “DELT-Her is fueling a wave of women-led solutions to Nigeria’s toughest challenges,” he said.
Mr. Halilu cited past successes from the first phase, including AI-driven soil monitoring, drone-based security systems, and eco-friendly brake pads. He noted that over N70.5 million was awarded to six female engineers in 2024, with more support planned for the second phase. He added that NASENI is collaborating with PICTT and the Czech Republic’s Technology Agency to cultivate a thriving innovation ecosystem for women.
The Chairman of PICTT, Dr. Mohammed Dahiru, in his welcome remarks, described DELT-Her as a flagship project designed to empower women, break gender barriers, and reshape Nigeria’s technological future. He spoke of the urgent need to increase the participation of women in engineering, where they currently constitute just five per cent in Nigeria and 28 per cent globally.
According to Dr. Dahiru, the initiative will not only provide funding to successful applicants but also offer mentorship from industry leaders to help transform their ideas into viable startups. He acknowledged the support from the Nigerian Society of Engineers and commended the success stories from the first group of DELT-Her recipients.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on NASENI, Senator Francis Ezenwa Onyewuchi, in his goodwill message, pledged the Senate’s continued support for women engineers and scientists.
The Minister of Women’s Affairs, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Maryam Chira Keshinro, stated that the initiative is a strategic step towards inclusive innovation and national development. She added that it addresses structural inequalities while improving access to capital and mentorship for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntola, represented by Engr. Mistura Adenike Rafiu, promised ongoing support for NASENI and PICTT’s efforts in promoting STEM education.
Other speakers, including the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizens and Leadership, Mrs. Rinsola Abiola, and the Pioneer Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, praised the DELT-Her initiative and called on female engineers to continue pursuing equality in the engineering profession.
The DELT-Her portal opened for applications today, May 20, 2025, on www.delther.pictt.gov.ng and will close on July 31, 2025. DELT-Her aims to create new pathways for Nigerian women in engineering to build, lead, and scale technology solutions with practical, real-world relevance.
