At Bayero University in Kano (BUK), Dr. Umma Abdullahi has been elevated to the position of Professor of Mechanical Engineering. On December 27, 2024, the Appointment and Promotions Committee (A&PC) of the university authorised this promotion, which went into effect on October 1, 2023. In Northern Nigeria, Dr. Umma Abdullahi is the first female professor of mechanical engineering and the third woman in the nation. She has lectured at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria from 2017 to 2022, Kano University of Science and Technology in Wudil from 2007 to 2017, and Bayero University in Kano.
A major turning point in Nigeria’s Higher Education and engineering sectors has been reached with the appointment of Dr. Abdullahi as Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Bayero University, Kano. Her accomplishment challenges existing gender imbalances in STEM professions, as she is the first female professor in this field in northern Nigeria and just the third in the country. The significance of her achievement is highlighted by the fact that women make up only 22% of Nigerian engineering and technology graduates. Dr. Abdullahi’s considerable research in materials engineering is a notable aspect of her academic trajectory.
This shows her dedication to providing top-notch engineering instruction.
With a focus on the potential of Agro-waste to lower Greenhouse gas Emissions and material costs, her critical analysis of the use of rice husk as reinforcement in composite fabrication investigates sustainable materials for engineering applications. Dr. Abdullahi’s colleagues praise her commitment and spirit of innovation. According to Dr. Hadiza Ibrahim, a senior lecturer at Bayero University, her promotion is evidence of her steadfast dedication to providing top-notch engineering instruction. Her efforts to furthering mechanical engineering research and her role as a mentor to young engineers have also been emphasised by university officials.
Dr. Abdullahi’s accomplishment has wider ramifications for promoting women’s involvement in STEM fields in Nigeria and elsewhere. Her accomplishments illustrate that women may succeed in fields that have historically been controlled by males if they are given the necessary support and perseverance. Concerning the low proportion of women in science-related courses and professions, groups such as the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) have called the situation concerning. Dr. Abdullahi’s achievement promotes young girls to seek jobs in STEM and dispels preconceptions, fostering a more varied and inclusive scientific community.
Social norms frequently deter women from pursuing technical-related jobs.
The promotion of Dr. Umma Abdullahi is a major step forward for female equality in STEM as well as a personal victory. The impact of diversity in academics and research is profound, as demonstrated by her contributions to mechanical engineering and her role as a trailblazer for women in science. Until recently, there were no female professors of mechanical engineering in northern Nigeria. This was due to a number of interconnected causes. In northern Nigeria, deep-rooted cultural values have historically placed a higher value on women’s household responsibilities than on professional pursuits, particularly in traditionally male-dominated industries like engineering. These social norms frequently deter women from going to college and pursuing technical-related jobs.
Northern Nigerian girls have numerous obstacles to their education, such as early marriage, financial limitations, and restricted school access. Girls’ secondary and postsecondary Education enrolment rates are lower as a result of these obstacles, especially in STEM professions. Women are not encouraged to pursue engineering because of the persistent belief that the field is exclusively for men. The under-representation of women in engineering faculties feeds into this image, which subsequently keeps women out of further education. Women have historically faced obstacles in their pursuit of professorial positions due to gender inequities in academic institutions, which include prejudices in recruiting, promotion, and support.
Related Article: Nig Promotes Gender Inclusion in Engineering
Significant gender discrepancies in Professional Development persist even though the number of women earning PhDs has increased, according to a study on gender inequality in Nigerian academia. Fewer mentors and role models for aspiring female engineers result from the lack of female engineering professors, which may discourage young women from studying and pursuing these career pathways. Research has demonstrated that the presence of female role models has a favourable impact on women’s involvement in STEM fields. A diversified strategy is needed to address these issues, including programs to support and encourage women pursuing engineering jobs, regulations that promote Gender Equality in academics, and societal changes that respect women’s education.