L-R: Representative of the EVC/CEO of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Dr. Mrs. Nonyem Onyechi; Chairman, Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer, Dr. Dahiru Mohammed; and some winners of the Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her (DELT-Her) initiative call for proposal at the presentation of cheques to the winners at the Agency’s headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), through the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT), has awarded N70.5 million in grants to six young female engineers under the Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her (DELT-Her) initiative. This announcement follows a call for proposals under NASENI’s Delta-2 program, aimed at addressing gender disparity in engineering and technology-based businesses in Nigeria.
The DELT-Her program was officially launched on March 8, 2024, in celebration of International Women’s Day, with the goal of fostering gender inclusion by supporting innovative ideas and projects proposed by young women in engineering. The initiative is part of NASENI’s broader effort to increase female participation and leadership in the technology and engineering sectors.
L-R: Minister of Innovation, Science and Techology, Uche Nnnaji and Chairman, Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer, Dr. Dahiru Mohammed at the Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her (DELT-Her) initiative call for proposal announcement of winners held at the Agency’s headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
Speaking at the grant award ceremony held at NASENI headquarters in Abuja, the agency’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, represented by Dr. Mrs. Nonyem Onyechi, Director of Planning and Business Development, emphasized the significance of empowering women in engineering and technology. “The DELT-Her initiative is designed to give women the tools, platforms, and support they need to excel in traditionally male-dominated fields,” Halilu said. He also highlighted the importance of the selected projects, which he noted have the potential to address real-world problems while challenging the status quo.
PICTT Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Dahiru, noted that out of more than 120 applications, six standout projects were selected after a rigorous evaluation process. The winners will receive grants covering the estimated cost of their projects, along with technical support and opportunities for commercialization. “This event is about planting seeds that will shape Nigeria’s future in technology transfer,” Dahiru said, adding that the awards coincided with the recent International Day of the Girl Child to inspire more young girls to pursue careers in science and engineering.
The grant recipients, whose projects were selected for their innovative potential, include:
- Engr. Rukkaya Abdulmutalib – “Artificial Intelligence Censored Machine to Monitor Soil Health for Greenhouses” (N3 million)
- Patience Ibrahim-Janda – “Automobile Brake Pads Produced from Organic Waste” (N10 million)
- Engr. Amina Ibrahim Khaleel – “Drone for Intelligent Real-Time Security and Target Tracking” (N17.5 million)
- Engr. Dr. Kudirat Oyewumi Jimoh – “Electronic Training Board/Device for Science and Engineering Students” (N16.5 million)
- Engr. Dr. Ikechukwu Ijeoma Francisca – “Automatic Bambara Flour Processing Machine” (N8.5 million)
- Engr. Abisola Ayomide Olayiwola – “Solar-Powered Snail Shelling Machine” (N15 million).
In addition to the grant awards, four Junior Girls Secondary Schools were invited to exhibit their innovative technological devices in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child. These exhibits included a fuel-less generator, a mini refinery converting waste plastics into usable fuel, an ultra-modern solar power machine, and a methane gas converter.
NASENI’s DELT-Her initiative continues to be a major step toward breaking down barriers for women in engineering and creating opportunities for young female innovators to thrive in STEM fields.
