By Patrick Oghuma
The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST) recently joined the global community in commemorating the 2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDEGS), reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to advancing gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Philip Ndiomu Ebiogeh, emphasized that closing the gender gap in STEM is not only a matter of equity but a strategic imperative for national development.
“Bridging the gender gap in STEM will unlock untapped talent, strengthen our innovation ecosystem, and foster groundbreaking solutions to national and global challenges. Nigeria cannot afford to leave half of its intellectual capital behind,” the Minister stated.
Dr. Udeh underscored that the Ministry’s policies and programmes are deliberately structured to expand access to STEM education for girls, provide mentorship opportunities, increase research funding for women scientists, and promote women’s leadership across scientific and technological sectors. He further stressed FMIST’s commitment to building inclusive workplaces, strengthening STEM education pathways, and investing in targeted research grants for women scientists.
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Despite global progress, women remain underrepresented in research and emerging technology sectors. Closing this gap, the Minister noted, will enhance Nigeria’s innovative capacity, promote ethical and diverse scientific inquiry, and align with the nation’s strategic priorities for socio-economic transformation.
Dr. Udeh reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to sustain multi-sectoral collaborations in advancing gender equality, emphasizing that partnerships between government, development agencies, academia, and the private sector are critical to achieving lasting impact.
In her remarks, Dr. Enang Moma, representing UNESCO, recalled the 2014 launch of the UNESCO Call to Action, “Closing the Gender Gap in Science,” which advocates accelerated and collective efforts to achieve gender equality in scientific fields.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Esuabana Nko-Asanye, represented by Director of Child Development Department, Mr. Ali Andrew Madugu, described the 2026 theme as timely and reflective of a shared global responsibility to ensure women’s full inclusion in STEM education and careers.
Earlier, the Executive Director of Induze Tech Foundation, Mr. Chibueze Chilaka, emphasized that the celebration reinforces a collective commitment to gender inclusion within Nigeria’s science, technology, and innovation ecosystem. He noted that it signifies a crucial transition from policy intentions to practical, people-centered outcomes, an approach strongly championed by FMIST through its Gender Unit.
At the breakout session, Engr. Dr. Apollos Patricks Oghuma delivered a paper urging governments, organizations, and innovators to redefine cybersecurity and reimagine artificial intelligence (AI) through inclusivity and gender equity. He emphasized that women’s participation and leadership in technology are not simply matters of fairness, they are catalysts for resilience, creativity, and ethical progress.
“2026 must be the year we stop asking if women belong in tech and start asking how tech can better belong to women. The journey is from exclusion ‘the Other Room’—to empowerment—‘the Upper Room,’” Dr. Oghuma declared.
He urged policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society to mainstream gender perspectives across all projects and programmes, dismantling stereotypes and cultural prejudices that hinder women’s full participation in national development.
This year’s theme, “From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap,” highlights the urgent need to translate commitments into measurable outcomes that empower women and girls to thrive in scientific and technological fields. Established by the United Nations, the International Day promotes full and equal access to science for women and girls while addressing their persistent underrepresentation in STEM sectors.
The commemoration concluded with a renewed call for sustained action, strategic investment, and inclusive policies that will move Nigeria from vision to measurable impact in empowering women and girls in science.
