Abuja, Nigeria – Professor Chibuogwu Virginia Nnaka, a distinguished professor of Science and Technology Education at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has underscored the critical role of professional teacher education in dismantling systemic gender barriers prevalent in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Her insights were shared during the 34th Inaugural Lecture of the university.

Professor Nnaka, a recognized champion of gender equity within science and technology education, delivered her lecture, titled “Professional Teacher Education: A Catalyst for Widening the Gateway to Gender Equity in STEM Education and Careers,” on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at NOUN headquarters in Abuja.

The core message of the lecture centered on the idea that achieving genuine equity in STEM is not a matter of chance, but rather the result of deliberate, strategic, and policy-driven initiatives. Nnaka posited that well-structured teacher education programs are essential for shaping perceptions, cultivating skills, and transforming classrooms into inclusive learning environments for all students.

Professor Nnaka emphasized that teachers, being the primary point of contact for learners with STEM subjects, must receive specialized training to effectively challenge ingrained cultural biases, break down gender stereotypes, and provide robust mentorship to girls navigating their academic journeys within these disciplines.

"Teachers can either be gatekeepers of inequality or champions of inclusion," she stated, emphasizing that "The difference lies in how they are trained."

She further elaborated on the significance of STEM, framing it not just as an academic pursuit but as a vital engine for innovation, industrialization, and overall national development.

Expressing concern, Nnaka highlighted the persistent underrepresentation of women and girls in STEM fields, identifying it as a significant impediment to Nigeria's progress.

Citing both global and national statistics, the professor highlighted that women constitute less than 30% of researchers worldwide, and in Nigeria, only 17% of students enrolled in tertiary STEM programs are female.

She attributed this disparity to persistent cultural norms, gender stereotypes, insufficient mentorship opportunities, and curriculum content often biased towards male perspectives.

"When women are missing in STEM, half the population’s potential is lost. Innovation becomes stunted, and national development suffers," Nnaka asserted.

Drawing from over four decades of academic research, administrative roles, and practical interventions, Professor Nnaka presented compelling empirical evidence to support her claims.

The lecture showcased research demonstrating the effectiveness of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in expanding access for marginalized and female learners in remote areas, the positive impact of gender-sensitive curriculum interventions in fostering inclusive pedagogy and challenging traditional biases, and the significant improvements in STEM retention and performance among girls when supported by trained female educators acting as mentors.

In his opening address, NOUN Vice-Chancellor Professor Olufemi Peters commended Professor Nnaka's contributions to education and her unwavering dedication to inclusion, policy advocacy, and academic excellence.

"This inaugural lecture is not just another academic engagement," Professor Peters stated, in a speech read by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Innovation and Research), Professor Godwin Akper. "It is a reflection of where we are as a society and where we must go if we are to break the chains of inequality and empower the next generation."

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Chiedu Mafiana, represented by Professor Isaac Butswat, delivered the vote of thanks, lauding Professor Nnaka's lifelong commitment to education and social change.

"This lecture is more than an academic ritual; it is a national call to transform our classrooms, policies, and systems in favor of equity, innovation, and national progress," Professor Mafiana remarked.