The Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas Bonny has deepened its commitment to inclusive technical education with the inauguration of a campus chapter of Women in Technical Education and Development (WITED), a move aimed at strengthening female participation in STEM and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The inauguration, held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, is seen as a strategic intervention to address the persistent gender gap in technical education while promoting skills acquisition for economic empowerment.
Representing the Rector, Dr Victor Okolobah, the Deputy Rector (Administration), Dr Akos Noel Ibrahim, stressed the importance of women taking deliberate steps toward active participation in technical fields, noting that inclusion remains critical to national development.
He encouraged female students and professionals to embrace opportunities provided through the platform, emphasizing that technical education is no longer optional but essential in today’s evolving economy.
“Women must position themselves for integration and actively engage in technical education to remain relevant in a competitive global space,” he said.
In their keynote addresses, Engr Mrs Fortune Dan-Jumbo and Dr Uchechukwu Virginia Eze underscored the urgency of sustained advocacy, mentorship, and institutional support to drive women’s inclusion in technical disciplines.
They highlighted that while progress has been made, many women still face structural and cultural barriers, including limited access to training opportunities, societal expectations, and inadequate mentorship frameworks.
WITED, which focuses on advancing women’s involvement in STEM and TVET, continues to champion initiatives that provide capacity building, policy advocacy, and awareness campaigns designed to bridge these gaps.
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Stakeholders at the event noted that technical and vocational education remains a powerful tool for equipping women with practical, income-generating skills, thereby enhancing employability and fostering financial independence.
The inauguration of the FPOG Bonny chapter also signals a forward-looking approach to building a supportive ecosystem for women in technical education, with emphasis on digital skills development, leadership training, and improved career pathways.
The newly constituted leadership of the chapter is expected to drive these objectives within the institution by promoting participation, mentoring young women, and creating platforms for professional growth.
Education observers say the development aligns with broader efforts to reposition technical education as a catalyst for inclusive growth, with institutions like FPOG playing a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of skilled female professionals.
Destiny Tamunoala Emmanuel
