The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has called for increased investment in inclusive energy access and engineering education for women and girls with disabilities, describing sustainable energy as a key driver of economic empowerment, quality education, healthcare and national development.
Abba Isa made the call while speaking at the V.E.C.T.O.R. Initiative 2026, organised by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) through its Gender, Environmental, Social Inclusion and Counselling (GESIC) Unit to mark the 2026 International Day of Women in Engineering.
Addressing participants on the theme, “Engineering Intelligence,” the presidential aide said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places strong emphasis on technological innovation, engineering excellence and sustainable development.
He commended the Rural Electrification Agency, the GESIC Unit, development partners, industry leaders and other stakeholders for advancing gender inclusion and creating pathways for women and girls to thrive in engineering, science, technology and innovation.
According to Abba Isa, the accomplishments of women engineers continue to inspire a new generation of girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), while breaking long-standing stereotypes and barriers.
He stressed that access to reliable and sustainable energy extends beyond infrastructure, noting that it serves as a catalyst for inclusive development by improving education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, economic growth and the overall quality of life.
Reaffirming his office’s commitment to inclusive development, Abba Isa pledged continued collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency and other partners to expand access to clean and sustainable energy solutions for women and girls with disabilities across Nigeria.
“Nigeria is home to approximately 35.5 million persons with disabilities. Excluding this significant population from sustainable and renewable energy initiatives comes at a huge economic cost,” he said.
He observed that inadequate access to electricity and clean energy technologies continues to widen barriers faced by persons with disabilities in education, communication, mobility, healthcare and entrepreneurship. According to him, inclusive energy systems have the potential to boost productivity, stimulate innovation, create jobs and enhance social mobility.
The presidential aide urged government institutions, engineering bodies, development partners, educational institutions and the private sector to strengthen collaboration in promoting accessibility, diversity and equal opportunities within the engineering profession.
He also advocated greater investment in mentorship programmes, scholarships, technical training, capacity-building initiatives and inclusive policies that would encourage more girls and women, particularly those with disabilities, to pursue careers in engineering and other STEM disciplines.
Speaking directly to young women at the event, Abba Isa encouraged them to dream boldly, embrace innovation and strive for excellence, assuring them that the engineering profession needs their creativity, resilience and unique perspectives.
He expressed confidence that a more inclusive approach to engineering and innovation would accelerate Nigeria’s development while ensuring that no citizen is left behind, regardless of gender or disability status.
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