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The Making of Nigerian Women Scientists and Technologists

Research has indicated that the interest of girls in a career in science and technology can be fostered by female role models. In Nigeria women accounted for only 17% of total enrollment in science-related university programs in 1984 and 21% in 1988. In order to provide a basis for designing an intervention program to promote sciences among girls in Nigeria a study was undertaken of Nigerian women scientists and technologists. Of the 520 Nigerian women working in scientific and technological professions who were sent a questionnaire 209 responded. Data were also gathered from in-depth interviews with a subsample of women. it was found that 89.5% of the women were married divorced or widowed and 72.7% had attended an all-girls secondary school. Most had formally educated parents and 43.5% and 33.5% had fathers and mothers respectively working in scientific professions. The most important factor in their choice of profession was personal interest followed by ability and altruism. The least important factors were imitation of role models peer influence and potential financial reward. The women reported a great deal of support from their fathers spouses mothers and teachers tempered by a minor amount of discouragement from male peers. The women expressed anxiety only about their ability to distinguish themselves and their compatibility with their chosen fields. They coped with this by relating with their male peers. Excerpts from four of the interviews underscore these points as well as the satisfaction the women reported with their choices.