The call for greater female participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) was amplified at the STEM Marketplace event in Abuja, where Dr. Stella Odiase, Deputy Team Lead at the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), reaffirmed that “there is room for more women in this industry.”
Organized by the Women on the Grid Hub (WotGH), the event aimed to connect female STEM undergraduates and early-career professionals with accomplished women in Nigeria’s power sector. Through mentorship and direct engagement, the initiative sought to challenge gender disparities and inspire confidence in young women pursuing STEM careers.
Dr. Odiase addressed concerns that STEM fields may seem intimidating, urging participants to embrace the sector with confidence.“Younger women need to know there is no reason to fear the STEM space. As we can see from the power sector, so many exciting things are happening,” she said.
With over 60 participants, including final-year students and young professionals, the event provided a hands-on learning experience through an interactive marketplace model. Nine stalls representing various aspects of the electricity value chain such as transmission, distribution, gas-to-power, and regulation allowed female executives, referred to as “vendors,” to offer career guidance and industry insights to the eager young women.
Barr. Toju Briggs, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at UKNIAF, praised the marketplace format, emphasizing its effectiveness in fostering direct engagement. “Seeing young women leave the event with clarity, confidence, and new connections reinforces the importance of this initiative,” she noted.
For many participants, the event was transformative. Jacintha Kummiap, a final-year engineering student, shared her personal struggle with self-doubt in a male-dominated field. “One thing I learned from this event is to believe in myself. The Women on the Grid Hub has shown me that I am not alone and that success is achievable,” she said.
Mrs. Fatima Lawan Muhtar, Company Secretary and Legal Adviser at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), provided insights on opportunities arising from the recently passed Electricity Act 2023. She encouraged young professionals to stay curious, keep learning, and embrace new possibilities in the evolving energy sector.
Dr. Odiase and the UKNIAF team emphasized that mentorship and knowledge sharing are crucial in increasing female representation in STEM fields. “Women have the skills and talent to thrive in the power sector and other STEM fields. What they need is a community that encourages them to push forward,” she said.
Through initiatives like the Women on the Grid Hub, UKNIAF is committed to building that community, fostering collaboration, providing access to resources, and strengthening industry connections to ensure a more inclusive and diverse STEM landscape.
