The message was clear and empowering: women belong in STEM. This sentiment was echoed by Deputy Team Lead at the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), Dr Stella Odiase.

She disclosed this during the STEM Marketplace event organised by the Women on the Grid Hub (WotGH) in Abuja.

“There is room for more women in this industry,” she said, emphasising that the power sector offers exciting opportunities for women ready to take on the challenge.

The event, held to connect female STEM undergraduates and early-career professionals with accomplished female leaders in Nigeria’s power sector, highlighted the importance of mentorship in addressing gender disparities.

Dr Odiase addressed the common perception that STEM fields were intimidating for women, urging participants to embrace the sector with confidence.

“Younger women need to know there is no need to be scared of the STEM space. As we can see from the power sector, so many exciting things are happening,” she added.

With over 60 participants, including final-year students and early-career professionals, the event provided a platform for direct mentorship and meaningful exchanges.

The interactive format of the marketplace featured nine stalls representing key aspects of the electricity value chain, such as transmission, distribution, gas-to-power, and regulation. Female executives—referred to as “vendors”—offered advice, career guidance, and personal insights to “customers,” the young women eager to advance in STEM.