The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) has emphasised the need for women engineers to acquire essential skills to enhance their transition from technical experts to strategic decision-makers.

The association’s president, Chinyere Igwegbe, stated this on Saturday in her opening remarks at APWEN’s “Emboldened Without Boundaries (EWB) 2.0” Fireside Chat webinar themed “Women Leaders in Policy and Engineering.”

Ms Igwegbe noted that the webinar series was designed to provide insights from top professionals and industry leaders across various fields, empowering members both individually and collectively as a professional body.

The guest speaker, Chichi Emenike, the acting managing director and gas asset manager at Neconde Energy Limited, stressed the need for continuous learning and self-development to enable a transition into leadership roles.

Ms Emenike said women engineers must prioritise personal development and acquire critical skills such as financial modelling, data analysis, and emotional intelligence to succeed in leadership positions.

She stressed the need for intentional career growth, urging women to actively seek opportunities that would enhance their competencies.

Ms Emenike emphasised mentorship and sponsorship as vital for career growth, encouraging women to seek guidance from mentors and support others in their networks.

“One of the key challenges facing women engineers is the patriarchal nature of society. As women, we must be proactive in driving change and seeking leadership opportunities.

“We must remain open-minded, committed to continuous learning, and intentional about pursuing opportunities, collaborations, and partnerships while building strong support networks of peers and mentors,” she said.

The chairman of APWEN, Lagos chapter, Bosede Oyekunle, who moderated the session, said hard work and visibility remain critical to unlocking greater opportunities and influence.

Ms Oyekunle urged members to apply the actionable insights discussed during the webinar.

The session also featured a certificate presentation and a question-and-answer segment, during which participants sought clarifications and received practical insights to support their career advancement.

(NAN)