In a bold move to foster innovation and bridge the gender gap in technology, the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, APWEN Lagos Chapter, has unveiled two groundbreaking competitions aimed at empowering girls and women in engineering.
Under the leadership of Engr. Atinuke Owolabi, APWEN Lagos has launched the APWENLagos Inter-School Robotics Competition for Girls 2025 and the APWENLagos SHEnovation Hackathon 2025, both designed to nurture creativity, problem-solving skills, and technological expertise among female students and professionals.
The Inter-School Robotics Competition is open to secondary school girls, challenging them to develop innovative robotic solutions for efficient waste management. Participants will select a specific type of waste and design cutting-edge technologies to address Lagos’ environmental concerns.
“This initiative is about inspiring young girls to see themselves as future problem-solvers and leaders in STEM. By engaging in robotics and sustainability, they are shaping a cleaner, greener future for Lagos,” said Engr. Owolabi.
Interested schools can register for the competition at apwenlagos.org/inter-school-robotics.
Alongside the robotics challenge, APWEN Lagos is also launching the SHEnovation Hackathon 2025, themed “AI in Engineering Design.” This competition is tailored for female engineering students and young professionals, encouraging them to leverage artificial intelligence to solve real-world engineering problems.
Participants, who can apply individually or in teams, will have access to mentorship from industry experts, providing them with guidance to refine their projects and advance their careers.
“This hackathon is more than a competition—it’s a movement to empower women engineers with the tools and skills to drive AI-driven innovations in the industry,” Owolabi added.
Applications and more details are available at apwenlagos.org/shenovation.
These initiatives reflect APWEN Lagos’ commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, empowering women in engineering, and tackling societal challenges through technology. The launch also fulfills key promises made by Engr. Owolabi during her inauguration as APWEN Lagos Chairperson last year.