Punch
The Lagos State Government has said its priority is for more female students in public schools to study science through the Eko Excel initiative.
The Executive Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr Wahab Alawiye-King, said this in a statement to commemorate the 2022 International Day of Women and Girls in Science, on Thursday.
He said, “Eko Excel harnesses innovation and science to improve both pupils and teachers in Lagos’ public schools, so encouraging more females to study science is a priority to us.
“Nigerian female amazons have recorded great strides in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and we want to promise that the initiative would continue to create an enabling environment for the female pupils.”
Alawiye-King added that more women need to be represented in the fields of science and technology.
“The International Day of Women and Girls in Science observed on February 11, aims to amplify the critical role women and girls can play in science and technology. It also promotes equal opportunities as women remain underrepresented among senior scientists in academia and leadership positions in the workplace.
“A 2021 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation science report showed that women are awarded less research funding than men and are less likely to be promoted, and in the private sector too, women are less present in company leadership and technical roles in tech industries. This lack of equal opportunities in the workplace is driving women out of research professions,” he said.
