Women to champion Nigeria’s oil, gas technological advancement

Women in Oil and Gas (WEOG) have expressed readiness to lead the future of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria and ensure technological advancement.

As the global oil industry is changing, WEOG, rising from their Annual Membership Meeting (AMM) and inauguration of new executives and members emphasised the role of collaboration to enhance sustainable energy solutions and the future of Nigeria.

National Consultant on Private Sector Partnerships, United Nations Women, Hansatu Adegbite, speaking at the event said women could leverage the affirmative procurement policies also called supplier diversity.

The development, coming up in Nigeria, especially in Lagos and Kaduna State means that a certain percentage of public procurement contracts in the private sector should go to women-owned businesses.

According to her, in Nigeria currently, over $6.6 billion goes to procurement annually from the private sector and less than one per cent of women-owned businesses benefit from it.

“So, UN Women, World Bank are training women to handle procurements and helping them with certifications they need for that,” she said.

She urged women to be informed, act and collaborate to strengthen their advantage either as consortiums or experts, to take advantage of such opportunities.

Adegbite, who is also an Advisory member, WEOG said there are multiple opportunities women within the space could explore but it requires identifying them and collaboration.

“There is power in numbers. If you are a consortium or have the strength of numbers, you can achieve so much more. There has to be a galvanising of skills, strengths, networks, opportunities and access. It is good to collaborate so you can leverage on stronger opportunities and have a stronger advantage,” she added.

Founding National President, WEOG, Dr Oladunni Owo, said in 2025, the body seeks to accelerate a sustainable energy future for the careers and businesses of members and the industry.

She said they would embark on multiple collaborations for capacity building, training, mentorship and business partnerships.

“We would train members on how to form joint ventures that would last. We are also looking forward to leveraging this theme to also have both local, national and international collaborations geared towards closing the gender gap in the energy oil and gas value chain, energy poverty and economic gap,” she said.

Newly Inaugurated President, WEOG, Tolu Longe, tasked the women with bold action as they need to rewrite the narrative, challenge the status quo and break barriers of women in the sector.

To do this, she urged the women to commit to actions that elevate, empower, impact, influence and innovate.

“Together we will strengthen our mentorship networks, create leadership pipelines and ensure that no woman in the industry has to work alone again. We will lead conversations on sustainability, technological advancements, as well as the future of energy.

“We will take our place at decision-making tables, advocate for policies that create opportunities, and forge strategic alliances that amplify our impact on a national and global scale,” she said.