Professional Women Engineers Reaffirms Commitment to SDGs, Empowers Young Engineers on World Engineering Day
The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Rivers State Chapter, has reinforced its commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through engineering innovation and inclusivity.
Speaking at an event commemorating the World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development on March 4, 2025, APWEN President, Dr. Adebisi Osim, emphasized the pivotal role of engineers in addressing global challenges.
Osim highlighted the event’s theme, “Unleashing the Power of Engineers to Advocate the Sustainable Development Goals,” as a call to action, stressing the need for engineers to drive sustainable, inclusive, and technology-driven solutions.
“Women engineers play a crucial role in leading transformative solutions across various SDGs,” she stated. “Our unique perspectives, creativity, and problem-solving skills are essential in designing sustainable systems. This is why ‘STEM for All’ is not just a slogan but a movement aimed at empowering young girls and boys to dismantle barriers in our profession.”
Osim further underscored engineering as a catalyst for sustainable development, addressing key global challenges such as:
Access to clean water and affordable energy
Resilient infrastructure
She stressed that engineers are at the forefront of developing smart cities, renewable energy solutions, and innovations in healthcare and agriculture.
Despite the progress made, Osim identified major challenges facing the engineering sector, including:
Energy security
Infrastructure deficits
Digital transformation
Climate adaptation
“These challenges present opportunities for engineering ingenuity,” she noted. “By leveraging artificial intelligence, green energy solutions, and sustainable construction practices, we can drive impactful change.”
She urged stronger public-private partnerships, industry collaboration, and government support for research and innovation, calling for ethical engineering practices that prioritize environmental sustainability and economic growth.
“As we mark this World Engineering Day, let us commit to promoting STEM education, inspiring young engineers, and pioneering sustainable solutions for our communities,” Osim added.
Delivering a keynote address on “Engineering Tomorrow: Harnessing Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals,” Dr. Promise Elechi, a lecturer at Rivers State University’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, reinforced the importance of engineering in achieving the SDGs.
“Engineers are key players in global development,” Elechi said. “The advancement of any economy revolves around engineering, making our role indispensable.”
He urged the government to increase funding and create an enabling environment for engineers to thrive, addressing obstacles such as lack of financial support and inadequate government collaboration.
As part of its commitment to nurturing future engineers, APWEN Rivers invited 20 secondary schools to the event, with 14 schools in attendance.
Four outstanding students received scholarship awards for their exceptional performance:
Deborah Peter – 1st place (Government Craft Secondary School)
Lawson Jane – 2nd place (Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri)
Malachi Emeka – 3rd place (Government Secondary School, Rumuprikom)
Sampson Emmanuelle – 4th place (Stella Maris Secondary School, Port Harcourt)
The event reinforced APWEN’s mission to inspire young minds, bridge the gender gap in engineering, and drive sustainable development through innovation.
