*says Nigeria must break barriers holding Women back
From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
A university don, Professor Deborah Adekeye of the University of Ilorin, has urged the federal government to deepen its support for female education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), saying Nigeria cannot make meaningful progress without opening more opportunities for the girl child.
Professor Adekeye made the appeal while delivering the 293rd inaugural lecture of the University of Ilorin, titled Breaking the Glass Ceiling for African Women: Insight from Gender Studies, at the institution’s auditorium in Ilorin, Kwara State.
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She said government must go beyond policy statements and fully implement international gender laws to eliminate disparities across sectors.
According to her, strengthening such policies would significantly boost girls’ enrolment in higher education.
“The gap in opportunities for the girl child will continue to widen if we fail to take STEM education for girls more seriously,” she said, adding that proper implementation would “close the enrolment gap and give Nigerian girls a fair chance.”
Professor Adekeye also urged government at all levels to enforce the 35 percent affirmative action for women in politics, noting that other African countries have made greater strides by ensuring women’s voices are better represented in leadership.
She called for a collective effort to challenge harmful norms embedded in the patriarchal system, stressing the need to eliminate gender-based violence, discriminatory practices and other traditions that hinder women’s advancement.
The academic further appealed to organisations to dismantle workplace cultures that promote gender discrimination, biased policies and leadership styles that work against women.
She said institutions must intentionally create a healthy work–life balance that supports women both at home and in the workplace.
Professor Adekeye also encouraged women to confront personal limitations such as inadequate education, low self-esteem and poor time management, noting that overcoming these barriers is key to achieving their aspirations.
“Our growth as a nation depends on how well we allow women to grow,” she added.
