The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), in partnership with the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT), has approved N229 million in grants to 14 outstanding female engineers under the Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her (DELT-Her 2.0) initiative.

Speaking at the awards ceremony at NASENI’s headquarters, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, described DELT-Her as a platform that empowers women to transform bold engineering ideas into innovative solutions with real-world impact.

From 9,925 project proposals, 14 women emerged as awardees, receiving grants to advance projects in critical sectors including agriculture, clean energy, health, mobility, digital security, and environmental sustainability.

“Gender inclusion is not charity—it is strategy,” Mr. Halilu said. “Every woman empowered through DELT-Her adds unique capacity to Nigeria’s technology and manufacturing ecosystem, driving smarter, human-centered innovation.”

He noted that the first edition of DELT-Her in 2024 supported six female engineers with N70.5 million, while the 2025 edition received an overwhelming 9,925 applications—a significant leap from just 120 proposals the previous year.

The program has also expanded its outreach, mentoring over 150 schoolgirls across Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory, providing bootcamps, fabrication kits, and guidance to help them develop their own prototypes—up from 30 girls reached in 2024.

In his opening address, Chairman of PICTT, Dr. Mohammed Dahiru, praised the awardees’ dedication, ingenuity, and resilience, emphasizing that DELT-Her is helping bridge gender gaps and drive national development in STEM fields.

Represented by Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi, the Senate Committee on NASENI reaffirmed its commitment to promoting indigenous production, local content, and gender inclusion in science and technology. “A nation that builds its technology builds its destiny, and a nation that empowers its women secures its future,” Onyewuchi said.

Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Udoka, commended NASENI and PICTT for their strategic foresight, noting that their initiatives align with the Federal Government’s vision for technological independence, industrial growth, and national competitiveness.

Goodwill messages were also delivered by notable stakeholders, including the Postmaster-General (NIPOST), Engr. Tola Odeyemi; Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Export-Import Bank, Hon. Stella Okotete; Special Assistant on ICT to the President, Fawaz Amodu; and representatives from the Nigerian Society of Engineers, PenCom, SGF, and NIMC.

Through DELT-Her 2.0, NASENI and PICTT continue to showcase the transformative power of women in engineering and reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to innovation, inclusion, and sustainable national development.