Women in Energy Network (WIEN) has urged policymakers and industry leaders to place women at the center of implementation of Nigeria’s sustainable energy programs and overall economic development agenda.

The group which leads gender equity advocacy in Africa declared that women are naturally disposed to champion realization of Nigeria’s prime economic aspirations in the energy sector, arguing that female professionals and business leaders in the country have demonstrated adequate capacity and competence in industry roles and niches respectively.

President of WIEN, Mrs Eyono Fatayi-Williams, whose presentation was delivered at the 2025 Nigerian Content Stakeholders’ Retreat and Appreciation Night in Rivers State, stressed that the country cannot achieve long term growth or a resilient energy sector without fully integrating women into strategic decision making and technical roles.

The event, organized by the Nigeria LNG Limited in partnership with Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) focused on Deepening Stakeholders’ Collaboration for Sustainable Economic Development.

Fatayi-Williams who was represented at the event by the Executive Secretary of WIEN, Engr Asanimo Omezi, made it clear that collaboration remains incomplete if women are not treated as essential contributors across the energy value chain.

She pointed at research outcomes linking gender diversity in leadership and technical positions to stronger innovation and better financial performance, calling on the energy industry to see gender inclusion as an economic and strategic necessity.

She emphasized that women-led enterprises and female professionals must be upgraded from the perception of merely beneficiaries to active drivers of the Nigerian Content Development Act.

Mrs Fatayi-Williams outlined three key collaboration pillars needed to move the industry forward to include deeper partnerships between academia and energy companies to boost training for young women in technical fields; targeted regulatory policies from the NCDMB to expand funding access for women-owned energy businesses; and stronger networks and mentorship platforms to build a steady pipeline of female talent.

She also emphasized the critical role women must play in Nigeria’s energy transition, stating that women are strategically positioned to lead progress in renewable energy, gas utilization, and community engagement. She said the three sections of the industry are central to achieving a just transition.

In recognizing the role of the NLNG Limited in the industry and the economy, Mrs Fatayi-Williams commended the Nigeria LNG on maintaining its leadership role in the sector. She also lauded the NCDMB for its ongoing commitment to expanding local content and building domestic capacity.

However, she stressed that Nigeria’s energy future will be stronger, more innovative, and more sustainable when women are fully included in policy design, collaboration frameworks, and economic development strategies.

Hosts of the event, the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited noted the central role of collaboration in delivering the nation’s Nigerian Content policy objectives, explaining that the week-long program which brought together senior oil and gas executives and community partners provided necessary platform for collective reflection on the progress of Nigerian Content and the joint actions needed to strengthen its impact.

Throughout the event, speakers stressed that meaningful results in local capacity development, enterprise growth, and community empowerment can only be achieved when industry operators, regulators, and host communities work in close alignment.

At the Appreciation Night, NLNG Deputy Managing Director, Olakunle Osobu, affirmed that collaboration remains the backbone of the Company’s Nigerian Content strategy. He explained that NLNG has gone beyond compliance, embedding partnerships that expand indigenous capacity, strengthen local enterprises, and support sustainable prosperity.

Deputy MD at NLNG, Olakunle Osobu (Middle), presents the Nigerian Content (NC) Business Enabler Award to NCDMB. The award was received by NCDMB’s Director, Capacity Building, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele and other NCDMB officials at NLNG NC Stakeholders’ Retreat & Appreciation Night held in Bonny Island.

“Our journey in Nigerian Content is about creating opportunities. It is about building capacity through the power of collaboration with NCDMB and our industry partners. We remain committed to empowering local enterprises and expanding participation across the energy value chain,” Osobu said.

He noted that NLNG’s investments in local technology, talent development, and domestic suppliers are designed to position Nigerian participation as a driver of innovation and competitiveness across the energy landscape.

The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, echoed this message, praising NLNG for sustaining the Stakeholders’ Retreat as a space for open dialogue and shared planning. He emphasized that the most successful Nigerian Content outcomes have emerged from the collaborative efforts between NCDMB and NLNG.

He cited joint initiatives such as the Service Level Agreement, the Technical Working Group, and staff secondment programmes as proof that regulators and operators can build productive partnerships that advance national goals. According to him, these initiatives demonstrate that Nigerian Content thrives when organisations align their strengths and work collectively.

Ogbe also commended NLNG for its achievements in the Train 7 project, which has delivered significant local content contributions in jobs, capacity development, and community impact. He encouraged the Company to continue driving collaborative efforts that set new industry benchmarks.

The retreat itself demonstrated collaboration in action. Activities included a contractors capacity development programme for Bonny community businesses, a mini exhibition for local vendors, a tour of the Train 7 site, and social engagements including a sporting contest between NLNG and NCDMB teams. The exhibition gave entrepreneurs a platform to connect with industry players, underscoring the shared commitment to strengthening the local supply chain.

Participants agreed that the goals of the Nigerian Content policy can only be achieved through sustained partnership among government, operators, communities, and industry groups, including women-focused organisations working to expand inclusion across the sector. The retreat highlighted the growing understanding that collaboration is not only valuable but essential to building an energy industry anchored on local capacity, innovation, and long-term national development.

With NLNG and NCDMB reaffirming their shared vision, the 2025 Stakeholders’ Retreat strengthened the collaborative spirit needed to advance Nigerian Content and shape a more competitive and inclusive energy future for Nigeria.