Gender Gap in STEM Education in Nigeria

In Nigeria according to the National Bureau of Statistics, women make up on average just 22% of the total number of Engineering and Technology university graduates each year.

According to the same source, women make-up roughly a fifth of the total number of people working in information and communication technology sector.

Research has also shown that early-stage girl focused intervention, which continue to nurture this interest through their adolescence and early adulthood are critical in closing this gender gap.

The implication of having less females in STEM Fields is that females will have less than two third of the job opportunities that men have because the future of work will be driven by STEM concepts.

As we continue to strive to close the gender gap in STEM, we must also work towards changing the underpinning policies, practices and behaviours that drives and sustains this inequality/imbalance; Stereotypes, Low Self-esteem etc.