Women in Engineering

IEEE WIE OAU WIE Week 2026 was a four-day programme held from 28–31 July 2026 under the theme “Technology with Purpose: Responsible Innovation for Global Impact.” The programme was designed to inspire, equip and connect students, young engineers and aspiring STEM professionals while promoting responsible and impact-driven use of technology.

The week featured a STEM Outreach, WIE Week Conference, Industry Visit, and WIE Learning Track Finale. Through these activities, participants were exposed to STEM career opportunities, technical learning, industry experience, leadership insights, networking and practical approaches to solving real-world problems with technology.

The programme reached 60+ secondary school students through the STEM Outreach, attracted 270+ participants to the Conference, and engaged 40 participants across three technical Learning Tracks: AI & Introduction to Quantum Computing, Robotics & UAV, and Engineering Design & CAD.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW & TIMELINE

WIE Week 2026 was initially scheduled to take place towards the end of June 2026, in line with the period of the global IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Week. However, due to the academic calendar and the commencement of the Obafemi Awolowo University break, the programme had to be rescheduled.

The organizing team subsequently adjusted the timeline and moved the programme to 28–31 July 2026. Despite the change in dates, the team maintained the original vision and objectives of WIE Week 2026 and successfully delivered the planned activities.

The four-day programme featured STEM Outreach, WIE Week Conference, Industry Visit, and WIE Learning Track Finale, providing participants with opportunities for STEM exposure, technical learning, industry engagement, leadership development and networking.

Stem OutReach

STEM Outreach at Oni Girls School, Oke-Igbo

Building the Next Generation of Women in STEM

OONI Girls Secondary School | Friday | 10:00 AM

16 Volunteers | 60+ Students Reached

With the goal of building the next generation of women in STEM, the outreach introduced female secondary school students to STEM, IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE), and the possibilities within different STEM careers.

• Volunteers from different STEM disciplines shared their personal journeys and what inspired them to pursue their fields.
• Students explored their career aspirations and gained a broader perspective of opportunities in STEM.
• An interactive problem-solving session challenged students to identify real-world problems within their communities.

About the Outreach

As part of IEEE WIE Week 2026, the STEM Outreach was organised to broaden students' understanding of STEM and introduce them to the various opportunities available in engineering and technology.

Key Highlights

• Introduction to STEM and different branches of engineering.
• Team members shared their personal experiences and career journeys in engineering in a simple and relatable way.
• Interactive question and answer sessions encouraged students to participate and engage.
• Students received prizes for asking questions, creating an energetic and engaging atmosphere.
• HydroSmarts, an automated water pumping system, was demonstrated to show how engineering can be applied to solve real world problems.

Impact & Takeaways

• Inspiring young girls to see STEM as a field they can belong to, contribute to, and use to create meaningful solutions.
• The outreach broadened the students’ perspectives on STEM careers. While many were initially more familiar with fields such as medicine and nursing, the session introduced them to a wider range of possibilities.
• By the end of the programme, some students expressed interest in pursuing Civil Engineering and Computer Engineering, highlighting the impact of exposing young minds to different STEM pathways.

Closing & Continued Engagement

The programme concluded with appreciation from the school staff and an expression of interest in future collaboration. Books and souvenirs were shared with the students, followed by photographs with the students, teachers, principal and outreach team. The outreach served as an opportunity to inspire curiosity, encourage exploration and show young girls that they can play a role in shaping the future of STEM.

Conference Day

WIE WEEK 2026 CONFERENCE

Technology with Purpose: Responsible Innovation for Global Impact

29 July 2026 | BOO C, Obafemi Awolowo University

270+ Attendees | 2 Keynote Speakers | 3 Panelists | 1 Workshop Facilitator

The WIE Week 2026 Conference brought together 270+ participants for a day of learning, meaningful conversations, networking and exposure to purposeful technology and leadership.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Keynote I: Precious Okafor — Building Purposeful Solutions Through Technology
• Workshop: Olamide Lawal — Positioning for Opportunities through Skills, Relationships & Visibility
• Keynote II: Tijsunimi Afolabi— Leadership with Purpose: Building Impact through Vision, Teams & Execution
• Panel Session: Purpose-Driven Careers: Building Impact Through Technology and Leadership
• IEEE & WIE Awareness: Introduction to IEEE, WIE and opportunities within the OAU Student Branch
• Networking: Attendees connected, shared interests and explored potential collaborations.
• Recognition: Our Official Corporate Sponsor (In-Right Kenexcl), alongside speakers, panelists, volunteers, organizing committee, and lecturers, were appreciated and recognized.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Purposeful innovation starts with solving real problems, while impactful leadership requires vision, the right team and effective execution. Participants were encouraged to build skills, document their work, create meaningful relationships and take action.

IMPACT

The conference created a platform for participants to learn, connect, gain practical insights, explore opportunities and rethink how technology can be used responsibly to create meaningful impact.

Industry Visit

Connecting Classroom Learning with Real-World Engineering

30 July 2026 | Dutum Company Limited

The WIE Week 2026 Industry Visit provided participants with firsthand exposure to professional engineering practice, connecting academic knowledge with real-world project execution.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Visited two active project sites and observed ongoing engineering and construction activities.

• Received a safety briefing on site safety, PPE and responsible conduct in professional environments.

• Interacted with industry professionals and gained insight into project planning, coordination and execution.

• Observed how engineering teams apply technical knowledge to solve real-world challenges.

• Explored the realities of engineering careers and the skills required beyond the classroom.

KEY TAKEAWAY

The visit reinforced that engineering goes beyond theory. Effective engineering requires technical knowledge, teamwork, precision, planning, safety and responsible execution.

IMPACT

Participants gained practical industry exposure and a clearer understanding of how engineering knowledge is transformed into real-world solutions and meaningful impact

Learning Track Finale

31 July 2026 | WIE Week 2026 Closing Activity

The WIE Learning Track, which began two months before WIE Week, came to a close with a celebration of learning, practical experience and achievement.

3 TECHNICAL TRACKS

• AI & Introduction to Quantum Computing — 20 Participants
• Robotics & UAV — 13 Participants
• Engineering Design & CAD — 6 Participants

Over 8 weeks, participants engaged in physical classes held every two weeks, alongside practicals, assignments and projects designed to turn knowledge into hands-on experience.

THE FINALE

The final list of active participants was recognized, with certificates presented in appreciation of their commitment and participation throughout the programme.

IMPACT

From learning concepts to building projects, the Learning Track embodied the spirit of “Technology with Purpose: Responsible Innovation for Global Impact” — ending WIE Week 2026 by celebrating not just what was taught, but what participants learned, applied and accomplished.

Attendees and Participation

60+ Students reached through

STEM Outreach*

270+ Participants at the

WIE Week Conference

40+ Learning Track Participants across

3 Technical Tracks

Impact and Outcome

STEM INSPIRATION

Inspired young girls to explore STEM and challenged gender-based perceptions of engineering.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Provided hands-on exposure to AI, Quantum Computing, Robotics, UAVs and CAD.

INDUSTRY EXPOSURE

Connected participants with real-world engineering practice and professional environments.

CAREER & LEADERSHIP

Equipped participants with insights into career development, leadership, visibility and opportunities.

NETWORKING & COMMUNITY

Created meaningful connections between students, engineers, professionals and STEM enthusiasts.

RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION

Encouraged participants to identify real problems and think about how technology can create meaningful impact.

OUTCOME:

Learn. Connect. Build. Lead with Purpose.

Sponsors, Partners & Supporters

WIE Week 2026 was made possible through the generous support of brands, organizations, professionals, lecturers, alumni and individuals who believed in the vision.

Brands We Partnered With

• In-Right Kenexcl (in-right.com)

WITH APPRECIATION TO

Our individual sponsors, mentors, lecturers, volunteers, alumni and everyone who contributed financially, materially, professionally or through their time and expertise.

Your support helped us create meaningful opportunities for learning, technical development, STEM exposure and industry engagement.

Thank you for believing in the vision.