Fueling progress: Trailblazing women shaping the future of oil and gas


In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), we are delighted to shine the spotlight on some of the remarkable women within the Obijackson and Nestoil Group whose unwavering dedication and accomplishments exemplify the spirit of inclusion and empowerment. This feature aims to capture the essence of their influential roles, highlighting the diverse talents, leadership and resilience that these women bring to the forefront. As we celebrate their achievements, we recognise the profound impact they have on fostering inclusion not only within their organisation but also in the broader community. Join us in honouring these inspirational women whose stories illuminate the path to a more inclusive and diverse future.

Engr. ChiChi Emenike (Acting Managing Director and Gas Asset Manager, Neconde Energy Limited)
CHICHI has over 22 years of experience in the oil and gas industry spanning across the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. Team Lead overseeing all the functional teams covering Crude and Gas Production and Export. She champions gender diversity, fostering an inclusive environment where all voices, especially women’s, are valued. Committed to creating pathways for women to excel in the male-dominated Nigerian oil and gas industry, her focus is on amplifying voices and deliberately creating opportunities for greater representation.
 
Folasade A Akinmusire (Group Company Secretary)
MRS. FOLASADE Akinmusire is a seasoned Legal and Governance practitioner and a C-suite Chartered Company Secretary with over 20 years’ experience in Corporate Commercial Legal Practice and Advisory,  Regulatory Compliance, Chartered Secretaryship, Sustainability Reporting, Board Advisory and Dynamics.
 
Folasade emphasises the importance of including and providing opportunities for women in leadership roles. Proud to be part of a Board promoting diversity, she joins her colleagues in advocating for increased women’s inclusion for enhanced productivity and sustainability globally. Happy International Women’s Day to us all.

 
Osamuede Oriaikhi (MD/CEO Energy Works Technology & IMPAC Engineering)
OSAMUEDE is an accomplished professional with a wealth of experience and track record of success, delivering value in the energy sector, Engineering Consultancy and Private Equity. Her career expertise is focused on EPC, digital transformation, strategy and business development, organisation restructuring and recovery with a talent for building winning teams. She has a global footprint of professional experience across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
 
As a female in leadership, gender equality remains a challenge with few women with a seat at the table leading and/or driving conversations and entrepreneurs struggling to attract gender equality financing. Within my role that means investing and positively promoting the presence and contributions of our female engineers/managers, welders, accountants, supply chain specialists towards building an inclusive organisation and society. Achieving this means embracing solidarity in our workplaces and beyond – sharing knowledge and seeking support to advance women. #IWD is inclusive, not exclusive.
 
Dooshima Mayange (Legal Manager, Neconde Energy Limited /Group Regulatory Compliance Manager)
DOOSHIMA Mayange is an astute Benue-born legal practitioner with almost 20 years cognate experience in corporate and commercial law, as well as litigation and ADR. Her leadership skills and firm understanding of Enterprise Risk Management is also incisive with an in-depth focus on current global trends in Corporate Governance, Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance (GRC) for business operations. On an individual basis, my job role involves trainings and mentorship which is an important opportunity to understand, value and seek out the inclusion of women in the workspace to be more proficient in their job roles within the organisation.
 
Pamela Egbo (Executive Director – Obijackson Foundation)
PAMELA, with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Politics from the University of East Anglia and a Master’s in Development Economics from SOAS University of London, brings over two decades of diverse experience. She has held key roles in education, including Head of Business Development at Crimson Business Solutions, Senior Fund Service Administrator at Langham Hall Limited, and Executive Director at Pat Utomi’s Centre for Values Leadership.
 
This year’s theme of ‘Inspiring Inclusion’ aligns seamlessly with the foundation’s ethos of making a positive impact on the lives of the most vulnerable and marginalised in our communities. The focus is on women and young girls, aiming to bring transformative change through empowerment programmes for local market women and health talks for girls in secondary schools, such as the “One Girl One Pad Programme.” The foundation is eagerly anticipating inspiring inclusion by empowering more women in the areas of financial and digital literacy.
 
Olori Mariam Anako Ogunwusi (Manager, Business Administration)
OLORI Mariam is a distinguished alumna of Bayero University, Kano State, and has furthered her education through various local, national and international training programmes, notably completing high-impact executive management courses, including those offered by Columbia University Business School.

In addition to her academic achievements, Olori Mariam is honoured to be married to His Imperial Majesty, Olofin Adimula, Arole Oodua, Ooni (Dr.) Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, who holds the esteemed title of the Ooni of Ife.

 
Top of FormAs an administrator and a proponent of transformation, she underscores that gender should not be a factor in assessing competence and the ability to achieve results. Once the agenda is defined, women can offer valuable and impactful contributions that are both profitable and inspiring to the workplace and society. Her focus lies on the humanity and dignity of individuals she works with, prioritising these qualities over gender considerations.
 
Dr. Ngozi Ogbunude (Medical Doctor, Nestoil Group)
DR. NGOZI is a dedicated Medical Doctor, currently practicing Occupational Health. With a commitment to optimising workplace and patient safety; and enhancing health outcomes, Ngozi combines clinical expertise with a keen interest in Health Informatics to improve the wellbeing of patients. She is a firm advocate for empowering women to make informed decisions about their health. She strongly believes in encouraging women to actively participate in preventive health and wellness programmes, promoting a proactive and informed approach to their overall well-being.
 
Obioma Ogakwu (Group Head of Administration)
OBIOMA, born as the only child to parents from Oraifite in Anambra State, had a vibrant childhood that unfolded both in Nottingham, England (her birthplace) and various oil cities across Nigeria. Her father’s employment with the Shell Petroleum Development Company took the family to different locations in Nigeria. Obioma pursued her education in both England and Nigeria, culminating in her highest academic qualification from the Alliance Manchester Business School, formerly known as “The Manchester Business School.”
 
In her role as an administrative manager, she actively interacts with every employee in the organisation, serving as the primary point of contact. Given this pivotal position, it is essential for her to effectively inspire inclusion. To inspire inclusion means deliberately cultivating an environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds feel not only welcomed but also valued, respected and included in all aspects of the organisational culture.
 
Idianemi T. Anifowoshe (Head, Facility Management at Nestoil Limited)
IDIANEMI, a visionary Civil Engineer (COREN No: R37650), has significantly influenced civil engineering, infrastructure and environmental conservation in her two-decade career. Alongside her professional achievements, her dynamic approach stems from continuous learning, including an M. Sc. in Environmental and Resource Engineering from the University of Nottingham, UK. This educational background uniquely positions her to integrate environmental sustainability with core Civil Engineering principles. In her role, she focuses on promoting gender diversity, leading initiatives for equal opportunities, safety and professional growth. Her contributions foster a resilient workforce and an inclusive workplace.
 
Onyinye Anyaegbu (Human Resources Manager)
BORN in Lagos, Nigeria, Onyinye Anyaegbu is a dynamic Human Resources professional driven by a passion for excellence. She earned her degree in Accounting from Covenant University in 2009. In 2012, she furthered her education by obtaining a Master’s in International Human Resources Management from Birmingham City University, qualifying in the same year.
 
In her role as a Human Resources professional, she actively champions gender-inclusive practices in recruitment, talent management and career advancement. Through her dedicated efforts to promote gender diversity, she contributes to creating a more dynamic workplace, ultimately enhancing Nestoil’s overall success.
 
Chioma Odinchefu (Deputy Manager, HR Business Partner for Nestoil Enterprise)
CHIOMA Odinchefu is a self-motivated Human Resources professional who has carved a niche for herself in her chosen career. Chioma is a graduate of Business Administration with honours from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and holds a Master’s degree in the same discipline.  
Encouraging inclusion involves striving for excellence in any field as a woman. By doing so, you not only provide hope to other women but also empower them to pursue and achieve their dreams.
 
Mary T. Babatunde (Financial Accountant, Group Finance)
MARY Babatunde is a seasoned finance professional with over 12 years of demonstrated success in Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting. Her skill set includes the adept handling and execution of assignments with a high degree of intelligence, sound professional ethics, minimal supervision and utmost confidentiality.
 
In her role as a Financial Accountant, promoting inclusiveness involves providing training and mentorship to junior colleagues. This focuses on enhancing their understanding of financial processes, systems and best practices, with the goal of fostering a high level of competency and engagement within the team.
 
Stella Amadi (Supply Chain Manager, Procurement and Logistics)
STELLA Amadi is a seasoned professional with a robust background in banking, having ascended to the position of Head of Operations at Access Bank, Port Harcourt. Armed with a degree in Industrial Physics, she brings a distinctive blend of technical knowledge and managerial expertise to her role.
 
Top of FormThe supply chain is a vast and dynamic ecosystem, requiring collaborative thinking, with women often demonstrating an intuitive understanding of this complex environment. Some argue that female leaders have excelled during the great resignation due to their inclusive nature. Moreover, attracting staff now demands a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, qualities often championed by women executives who have faced their own leadership barriers.
 
Pamela Osanakpo (Lead, Group Corporate Communications)
PAMELA Osanakpo, a graduate in Advertising and Brand Management with an M. Sc in Management from the University of Loughborough UK, brings over 12 years of expertise to the realm of communications. Her dynamic career is marked by a passion for crafting compelling brand narratives and implementing effective communication strategies. Pamela is recognised for her commitment to innovation, blending academic insights with hands-on experience to contribute to the evolving landscape of communications.
  
My role actively contributes to inspiring inclusion by implementing inclusive communication strategies, promoting diversity in leadership, fostering an empowering work environment, and highlighting diverse voices in the messaging being communicated to internal and external stakeholders. These efforts collectively contribute to a more inclusive workplace and support the broader goals of the International Women’s Day.

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