Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL) has reiterated its commitment to expanding procurement access and strengthening supplier diversity within Nigeria’s energy sector through targeted engagement with women-owned businesses.

The company recently hosted a focused supplier diversity engagement session titled “Meet the Member Buyer” at its Ikoyi office in Lagos, aimed at deepening collaboration, promoting inclusive sourcing and supporting local capacity development across the oil and gas value chain.

The session brought together members of WEConnect International and certified women-owned enterprises operating within various segments of the energy industry, creating a platform for direct engagement between suppliers and procurement decision-makers.

Speaking during the event, Executive Director, Development, EEPNL, Etabuko Arbihire, said Esso’s Supplier Diversity Programme is designed to go beyond corporate commitments by creating practical opportunities for women-owned businesses to participate in the sector’s procurement ecosystem.

He explained that while policy commitments are important, enabling participation in a complex and highly regulated industry requires deliberate efforts that help suppliers understand expectations and build capacity.

“At Esso, we believe strong partnerships drive sustainable progress. Our Supplier Diversity Programme underscores our focus on creating real opportunities for Nigerian businesses, especially women-owned enterprises that bring innovation, agility, and value to the energy industry,” he said.

Arbihire noted that promoting inclusion within the oil and gas industry requires more than simply opening vendor registration platforms, stressing the need for structured engagement between buyers and suppliers.

According to him, such engagements help provide clarity on procurement requirements while strengthening confidence and competitiveness among local businesses seeking to participate in the energy supply chain.

He further reiterated that despite ExxonMobil affiliates’ divestment from shallow-water assets, the company remains committed to Nigeria through its deepwater operations.
He noted that the firm continues to maintain significant investments in deepwater assets, including the Erha and Usan fields, with growth plans spanning the near, medium and long term.

Arbihire explained that the supplier diversity initiative was designed to position women-owned enterprises to take advantage of emerging opportunities within the sector.

“The ‘Meet the Member Buyer’ engagement is not just a networking event, it is a deliberate step toward strengthening transparency, improving access to procurement, and advancing Nigeria’s local content objectives,” he added.

Also speaking at the event, Senior Manager, Capacity Building at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Alexis Emelle, reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to supporting women-owned businesses through access to funding and capacity development initiatives.

Emelle emphasised the importance of strengthening documentation processes and building the institutional capacity required for local businesses to meet industry standards and participate competitively in the sector.

Participants at the event engaged in an interactive session with senior officials from EEPNL and the NCDMB, where discussions centred on procurement procedures, regulatory expectations and potential growth pathways for women-owned businesses within the energy sector.

Both organisations also pledged continued collaboration aimed at addressing barriers that often limit access to procurement opportunities and financing for women entrepreneurs in the oil and gas industry.

EEPNL noted that initiatives such as its Supplier Diversity Programme are part of broader efforts to deepen local participation in the Nigerian business ecosystem, particularly by supporting women-led enterprises seeking to scale operations and integrate into the sector’s supply chain