Women and STEM Education in Nigeria

Abstract

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education teach the four disciplines in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Globally, the STEM areas are in the forefront of economic development. The government of Nigeria has already forged partnerships and is drawing upon the technological experience of other countries to build new STEM learning opportunities for Nigerian students. The federal government has established several federal universities of science and technology with the sole purpose of improving the teaching of STEM areas. Traditional education in Nigeria challenges range from poverty, poor school funding, poorly trained teachers, inadequate learning aids, incessant strikes, among others. It is time that Nigeria realizes that women and girls continue to be extremely underrepresented in the sciences and incorporate them in the new programme because ensuring that more girls receive a quality education will reap dividends for the safety, security, and prosperity of the nation and for the next generations.