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.
"NASENI Grants N70.5 Million to Six Female Engineers for Groundbreaking Innovations Under DELT-Her Initiative"
By Gloria Sarauniya Usman
ABUJA, NIGERIA October, 2024 -
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), through its Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT), has awarded a total of N70.5 million in grants to six female engineers as part of the Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her (DELT-Her) initiative.
This program, launched on March 8, 2024, in celebration of International Women’s Day, seeks to address gender imbalance in engineering and technology by supporting innovative projects from young female engineers.
During the grant award ceremony held at NASENI Headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, represented by Dr. Mrs. Nonyem Onyechi, highlighted the importance of empowering women in traditionally male-dominated fields. He emphasized that the DELT-Her initiative provides a vital platform for women to excel in engineering and technology, and that the selected projects demonstrate both innovation and the ability to solve real-world problems.
"We are committed to fostering environments where women can thrive in STEM fields. These six winners have demonstrated not only talent but also the vision to challenge the status quo," Mr. Halilu said. He urged the awardees to serve as role models for other young women aspiring to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The Chairman of PICTT, Dr. Mohammed Dahiru, noted that after a rigorous evaluation of over 120 applications, six exceptional projects were selected for funding. He added that the goal of the initiative is to drive technological advancements in Nigeria through innovative ideas and technology transfer.
The winners will receive not only financial grants but also technical support, partnerships, and opportunities for commercialization of their projects. Some of the awardees have also been selected to participate in the upcoming AFRI. Lab Annual gathering in Cape Town, South Africa.
The six awarded projects and their respective grants are:
Engr. Rukkaya Abdulmutalib: “Artificial Intelligence Sensor for Monitoring Soil Health in Greenhouses” (N3 million)
Patience Ibrahim-Janda: “Eco-Friendly Automobile Brake Pads 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 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 awards, the event also celebrated the International Day of the Girl Child, featuring exhibits from four Junior Secondary Schools showcasing their own technological innovations. These include projects like a fuelless generator, a machine for converting waste plastic into fuel, and solar-powered agricultural devices.
The DELT-Her initiative represents a significant step towards closing the gender gap in engineering and technology, with hopes to inspire future generations of Nigerian girls to pursue STEM careers.
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