Sopuruchi Onwuka

The role and contribution of women are critical to the pivotal position of Africa in shaping the emerging global energy transition, and the emerging situation requires that women with immensely industry capabilities are recognized and built into leadership of the sector.

Ad >>>

The urgent need to harness the leadership skills and massive number of women in energy industry was emphasized by panel debaters at an industry policy session at a recent conference hosted by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in Abuja.

Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Presidential Adviser on Energy Matters, Mrs Olu Verheijen; the President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group), Mrs Owen Diana Omogiafo; and other numerous speakers all agreed that African women have proved very efficient in delivering key economic targets of the industry.

Presidential Adviser on Energy Matters, Mrs Olu Verheijen

The Oracle Today reports that Mrs Olu Verheijen is a prominent member of WIEN who has remained solidly committed to the transformation of the domestic energy sector through diversification of energy supply and sanitization of the electricity supply market.

The discussions which formed part of the several panel sessions at the event was dominated by the members of the Women in Energy Network (WIEN), the leading gender equity advocate in the Nigerian energy sector.

Minister of Trade and Investments, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, declared in a keynote address that women’s role is critical to the agenda that places Africa in the forefront of global energy transformation. She also pointed at the need for harnessing the capacity of women in delivering Nigeria’s key economic aspiration in the energy sector.

In pointing at the critical role of women in the transformation of the Nigerian economy, Dr Oduwole noted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has involved women in addressing structural inefficiencies that stall speedy development of the country.

She said efforts are currently being coordinated to position Nigeria as a destination of choice for global investments in every sector of the economy. She added that integrating the African markets has become crucial to achieve the triple goal of energy available, accessible and affordable for the enhanced development of the continent.

The minister pointed at the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) as providing critical moment for placing women in the lead to achieving energy sufficiency for the continent. She noted that the continent’s 200 million population provides the opportunity for accelerated economic growth.

The CEO of Transcorp, Mrs Owen Diana Omogiafo, noted that women in position have always been the point of difference in leadership, adding that the performance of WIEN members in the present administration of the federal government has proved exceptional.

According to her, from promoting and sponsoring STEM education for girls to building knowledge and experience base for its members in leadership positions, WIEN “has provided a future for us.”

Mrs Olu Verheijen told the delegates at the event that promoting inclusion and gender balance has become imperative to defining the future of critical sectors of the economy. She added that gender diversity in the industry has become an economic and developmental necessity.

She noted that gaps in gender balance reflect missed opportunities for the economy, arguing that corporate governance in the industry must be structured to connect women and enable them enrich the pool of existing experience.

She noted that the wealth African governments could create by harnessing cumulative human capacity, experience and skills is phenomenal.