As the world marks International Women’s Day (IWD), two women in technology say the landscape for women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) has evolved significantly over the years.
The women spoke in different interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Saturday, on the backdrop of the 2025 IWD, which is marked annually on March 8.
The two women said that some progress had been made as regards women participation in the sector, but that there was still a long way to go.
According to Oreoluwa Lesi, Chief Executive Officer, Women Technology Empowerment Centre (W-TEC), systemic barriers are the major obstacles hindering women from pursuing careers in technology and science.
Lesi said that, however, W-TEC was one of the organisations that had been working to address these barriers.
“Research has shown that women make up only 20 per cent of the technology workforce in Nigeria.
“This disparity can be attributed to societal expectations and stereotypes that discourage girls from pursuing careers in Science and Technology,” she said.
The W.TEC boss, however, expressed optimism about the potential for change, citing the various initiatives it was implementing to address the systemic barriers.
Lesi said that the organisation had implemented mentorship programmes and career counseling to empower girls and women to pursue careers in technology.
She said that these programmes had been successful in inspiring girls to pursue careers in science and technology.
Lesi also emphasised the importance of storytelling as an effective way to inspire girls to pursue careers in technology.
She cited instances where women in technology shared their experiences with young girls, motivating them to explore opportunities in the field.
Lesi noted that these storytelling sessions had been instrumental in changing the perceptions of girls about careers in technology.
She encouraged companies to implement innovative strategies to attract and retain more women in the technology industry.
Lesi also called on the government to implement policies that would support women in technology.
She expressed confidence that with the right support and policies, more women would be encouraged to pursue careers in technology.
The W-TEC boss said that it would continue to work tirelessly to empower girls and women to pursue careers in science and technology.
“By addressing the systemic barriers and promoting inclusive industry practices, W-TEC aims to create a more equitable environment for women in technology, ” she said.
Also, Dr Funmilayo Dickson, Research Officer at the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) said that organisations are creating more inclusive environments.
She said that organisations were beginning to recognise the value of diverse perspectives in driving innovation.
“Initiatives such as mentorship programmes, women in tech networks and scholarship opportunities have also emerged, making it easier for women to enter and thrive in STEM fields.
“Despite these positive developments, the participation of women in STEM remains disproportionately low, particularly in leadership roles and technical positions.
“According to various studies, women represent only a fraction of the workforce in many tech companies, and this is even more pronounced in certain areas such as Engineering and Computer Science.
“There has been noticeable improvement in awareness regarding gender diversity in tech, with companies increasingly prioritising diversity and inclusion initiatives,” she said.
According to Dickson, however, several challenges still hinder full participation, including cultural stereotypes, bias in hiring, unequal pay, lack of representation in leadership positions and work-life balance.
She said that on the other hand, there are many encouraging factors that promote women’s participation in STEM, including community support, educational initiatives and policy changes.
She said that the rise of women-centered tech groups and communities fostered networking and mentorship opportunities, helping women build connections and share experiences.
According to her, programmes targeting young girls, such as coding bootcamps and STEM workshops, are instrumental in sparking interest and confidence in technology from a young age.
Dickson said that many organisations are beginning to implement policies that promote diversity, equity and inclusion, which could create a more supportive environment for women.
“Women must continue to push for greater diversity and inclusion in tech, and work together to create a more equitable and just industry for all,” she said.
According to her, together, we can continue to advocate for policies and practices that support women in tech, while also encouraging the next generation of female leaders in STEM.
‘’By fostering an inclusive environment, we can unlock the full potential of all individuals in the tech industry, driving innovation and progress for everyone,’’ Dickson stressed.