The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST) today 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).
With the theme, “From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap,” this year’s celebration underscores the urgent need to transform commitments into measurable outcomes that empower women and girls to thrive in scientific and technological fields. The International Day, established by the United Nations, promotes full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, while addressing their persistent underrepresentation in STEM sectors.
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,” the Minister stated. “Nigeria cannot afford to leave half of its intellectual capital behind.”
Dr. Udeh highlighted 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 strengthening STEM education pathways for girls, investing in targeted research grants for women scientists, fostering inclusive workplaces, and building robust mentorship networks that support women at every stage of their careers.
Despite global progress, the Minister noted that women remain underrepresented in research and emerging technology sectors. Closing this gap, he said, 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, the representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Dr. Enang Moma, noted that UNESCO has taken intentional steps to address gender disparities in science. She 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 the 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, stated 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.
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.
Mrs. Pauline Sule, anipr
Head, Press & Public Relations
11/02/2026
