Nigeria’s First Women-in-STEM Climate Fellowship Launches Inaugural Cohort

The inaugural cohort of the STEM4Climate Fellowship is set to commence on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in what organisers describe as a significant milestone for climate action and women’s participation in sustainability leadership in Nigeria.

The five-month programme, regarded as Nigeria’s first cohort-based climate fellowship designed specifically for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), will train 30 selected early-career female STEM professionals in climate literacy, sustainability, and practical project implementation aimed at addressing pressing environmental challenges across the country.

Organisers disclosed that the fellowship recorded an overwhelming response shortly after applications opened, attracting 360 applications from women across 12 African countries within two weeks. According to the organisers, the turnout reflects the growing demand for structured and technical climate education opportunities for women in STEM fields across Africa.

Participants in the fellowship will engage in virtual learning sessions focused on linking STEM disciplines to climate-related issues such as renewable energy, waste management, climate-resilient infrastructure, and food security. Each fellow is expected to produce an individual Climate Impact Brief in a digital report titled “Her Climate Story,” highlighting local environmental challenges through the lens of climate science and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The cohort will also jointly develop and execute a community-based climate project aimed at delivering measurable impact.

Speaking on the initiative, Founder of the STEM4Climate Fellowship and Sustainability and SDG Advocate of the Year 2025, Ini-Obong Antaih, said the programme was inspired by her personal experience navigating the connection between STEM education and climate action.

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She explained that despite graduating as a Chemical Engineer, she spent years without understanding how climate change intersected with her profession until pursuing further studies abroad. According to her, the fellowship was created to bridge the gap between STEM education and climate solutions by equipping young African women with knowledge, practical tools, mentorship, and networks needed to contribute meaningfully to sustainability efforts across Nigeria and the continent.

She added that the initiative aims to build a pipeline of female climate leaders capable of shaping sustainable systems for the future.

The organisers also revealed that the STEM4Climate Fellowship is currently seeking partnerships in areas including funding, mentorship, technical support, media engagement, and community project implementation as it expands efforts to promote inclusive climate action and develop a national network of emerging female climate leaders across Africa.