Despite comprising the majority of the workforce in many African countries, women hold less than 20 per cent of science and engineering jobs on the continent, according to African Women in Science and Engineering (AWSE). 

A World Bank-funded project, part of the Energizing Education Programme (EEP) Phase II by Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA), aims to provide clean, reliable energy to seven federal universities and two university teaching hospitals. The project also wants to bridge the gap in the traditionally male-dominated field of engineering by engaging twenty female students as interns on each project site. 

“The objective is to promote Gender Inclusiveness; in this case, encouraging more women to participate and take up more active roles in the power sector,” REA said in a statement. 

The University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, is leading the way with the ongoing construction of a 12-megawatt solar power plant – the largest among the seven universities on the project.

“My on-site experience has been nothing short of amazing. It has given me hands-on experience in renewable energy, especially solar power. I have learned skills ranging from surveying to solar panel installations. This opportunity is a stepping stone towards a sustainable future,” said Aisha Kabir Abbagana, a 500-level UNIMAID engineering student and an intern of the project.  

A few weeks ago, Aisha, along with 19 other female UNIMAID engineering students, led a high-level delegation from the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the World Bank Mission on a tour of the facility on the university campus.

“My internship at a solar power plant has broadened my knowledge of renewable energy,” said Deborah Silas, a 400-level Civil and Water Resources Engineering student at UNIMAID. “This internship has taught me how to connect PV panels to batteries, inverters, and transformers as needed. It has also shown me that the renewable energy space is not gender-biased, and I can excel in this field.” 

“I intend to pass on the skills I have acquired to future generations, emphasising the benefits of renewable energy in drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I plan to maximise the knowledge I’ve gained by incorporating it into my field of study, civil engineering, so that I can design not only structures but also solar power plants and bring them to reality if needed,” Deborah added. 

Another intern, Zainab Umar Ibrahim, a 400-level computer engineering student at the university, said the internship had opened her mind to the fundamentals of renewable energy and highlighted its importance to the environment. 

“The use of fossil fuels and gasoline has caused more harm than good, and we need to explore other energy options to save the planet, ” she said. “I have learned a lot during this internship, from health, safety, and environmental considerations to energy auditing and designing simple solar systems. I’ve had the opportunity to learn practically from professionals in the field, which has expanded my understanding from theoretical to real-world applications, including electrical generation and distribution. This experience has allowed me to explore different paths in the renewable energy sector, distinct from my original course of study.”

By September, when the 12-megawatt solar plant is completed, the women will be primed to tell their stories of empowerment, emphasising the objective of the internship.

“I plan to share my knowledge with others, especially women because I strongly believe that renewable energy is the future of the global energy landscape,” Hauwa Muhammad, a 400-level mechanical engineering student, said. 

The Energizing Education Programme is about more than just electricity, according to Ashish Khanna, World Bank’s Practice Manager for West Africa. “It’s about skill-building, job creation, and fostering innovation, especially among female STEM students,” he said.

Regarding the project’s significance, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, REA’s Managing Director/CEO, said: “Providing electricity to tertiary institutions is crucial.”

Currently, universities in the country are facing a financial crunch due to rising electricity costs. Recently, several institutions have been disconnected from the national grid for outstanding debts to power distribution companies running into millions of naira. Others, still connected, struggle with managing hefty electricity bills. 

“Sustainable energy solutions enhance learning environments, catalysing socio-economic development and empowering communities across Nigeria,” he added.

“The mission is to create a sustainable future for Nigeria’s educational institutions,” Olufemi Akinyelure, Head of the Nigeria Electrification Project, stated. 

Challenge with an all-female interns ? 

The student coordinator for the solar power project, Ms. Walong Goodabar, stated that despite all the student interns being female, their presence on-site has never hindered the progress of the work or caused any problems. 

“Yes, all the interns are female, but this has not posed any challenges for us on site. The main engineers, who are mostly male, act as mentors and guides for the interns. We have encountered no issues whatsoever,” she explained.