US Consulate Offers STEM Mentorship To Young Girls

Ten Nigerian women aged 18-30 years have been professionally mentored in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, STEM, in Lagos

The six-week mentorship programme was organised by TechWomen Nigeria Alumni Association with support from the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos

Paired with ten women in top positions in leading technology and STEM-related companies in Lagos, including Intel and Microsoft, the mentees shadowed their mentors and attended capacity building workshops with their peers, while they also design and execute a project with mentors in their field of interest.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the mentorship programme on Lagos Island, the US Consul-General, Ms Claire Pierangelo noted that women and girls empowerment is needed for sustainable economic development, encouraged the young women to take advantage of the network and opportunities the mentorship programme has afforded them.

Ms Pierangelo also encouraged the young women to take advantage of other US exchange programme and to take advantage of the free resources at American corners in SouthWest Nigeria.

In a keynote speech entitled “Breaking the Bias through Mentoring” the Country Director, Intel West Africa, Ms Rita Amuchienwa, said women should take up any challenge that comes their way in the course of their careers.

The Vice-President of the TechWomen Alumni Association, Nigeria, Ogo Maduewesi said the mentorship programme is a replica of the US government sponsored programme in which six Nigerian women get grants to interact with top women in technology the United States

In an opening remarks, a 2014 Fellow of the TechWomen programme, Ms Busayo Durojaiye stated that the mentorship programme is aimed at giving young Nigerian women in tech a leverage.

Some of the mentees said the programme has impacted positively on them and their career choice.

TechWomen is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, aimed at strengthening participants’ professional capacity, increase mutual understanding between key professionals, and expands young women’s interest in STEM careers by exposing them to female role models.

So far, 45 Nigerian women in STEM have participated in the unique mentorship programme.

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