INSPIRING INNOVATION AND PURPOSE
Highlights from SHEnovation Mentoring Webinar 5 with Prof. Rose Margaret Ekeng Itua
The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Lagos Chapter, hosted its fifth SHEnovation Mentoring Webinar on Friday, April 18, 2025, as part of the ongoing SHEnovation Hackathon 2025. The virtual event commenced promptly at 3:05 PM (WAT) with a warm welcome extended to all attendees, setting a vibrant tone for an impactful session.
Spotlight on a Trailblazer
The highlight of the day was the presence of the distinguished guest speaker, Professor Rose Margaret Ekeng Itua, who joined the session live from California, USA. Her introduction was met with great enthusiasm, and her participation added immense value to the program.
Discovering the “Why” of Innovation
Prof. Itua began by honoring the founders of APWEN and commending the SHEnovation leadership for their visionary work. She then launched into her powerful “Innova Story,” focused on understanding the why behind innovation and advocating for purpose-driven engagement in STEM.
“Why are you in STEM innovation? Why do you do what you do?” she asked the audience.
She explained that our “whys” often stem from purposes much greater than ourselves. For her, they include:
Advancing humanity and sustainability
Empowering women globally
Creating visibility for Africa and contributing to its growth story
Enjoying the process of learning and growing
From Vision to Impact: Research, Innovation and Advocacy
Prof. Itua described how she transforms purpose into impact through research, innovation and advocacy. These pillars have defined her career and fueled pioneering projects, including the use of artificial intelligence to tackle climate change with Africa as the focal point.
She also shared insights from her experience at Silicon Valley and Tesla, where she mentors students and empowers them not only to gain knowledge but to secure high-paying roles in the tech sector. Her deep commitment to bridging the gender gap in technology resonated powerfully with participants.
Building Africa’s Tech Future
Driven by her passion for advocacy, Prof. Itua founded both the Africa Technology and Innovation Institute (ATII) and SABI Africa, platforms designed to champion indigenous innovation, tech inclusion and visibility for African contributions to STEM. Through these initiatives, she has facilitated partnerships with institutions across the globe.
She reminded attendees that coding and innovation have long-standing roots in Africa, citing SABI Africa as a living repository of African knowledge systems, and referencing ancient astronomical sites in Sudan as further evidence of Africa’s scientific heritage.
The Four Cs Behind Her ImpactProf. Itua outlined the foundational values guiding her work:
- Compassion
- Connectedness
- Community
- Courage
She encouraged participants to align their careers with these values to drive meaningful innovation and personal fulfillment.
Real Talk: Academic Transition and Growth
In response to a participant’s question about academic progression, Prof. Itua candidly shared her own transition from FUTO (Federal University of Technology, Owerri) to more technologically advanced environments abroad. She spoke of the skill gaps she had to overcome, particularly in programming, and emphasized the importance of adaptability.
Her advice for students and early-career professionals:
- Gain hands-on experience
- Pursue internships to build practical skills
- Explore both the financial and technical paths within the innovation space
The Future is Blockchain
Highlighting the vast potential of blockchain and cryptocurrency, she revealed plans to provide free blockchain training to webinar participants. She encouraged everyone to dive into the opportunity, participate actively and submit assignments to maximize their learning.
What’s Next
Prof. Itua closed with a powerful reminder:
“We have a lot inside us. Let’s showcase it.”
As the session wrapped up around 4:00 PM, attendees were informed of exciting upcoming initiatives:
- A public lecture scheduled for the following week
- The commissioning of a lecture hall at the University of Lagos, dedicated to supporting women in Africa’s tech ecosystem
The session concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks to Prof. Rose Margaret Itua and to everyone who contributed to the success of the webinar.
