Sopuruchi Onwuka

The Women in Energy Network (WIEN) marked its Annual General Meeting with a strong message about its expanding influence and its growing role in shaping a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable energy sector in Nigeria and beyond. Addressing members, partners, and industry stakeholders; WIEN President, Mrs Eyono Fatai Williams, celebrated five years of measurable impact and a future defined by bold ambition.

She noted that WIEN which was founded to create space for women across the energy value chain has evolved into a powerful movement advocating for equity, leadership, and innovation.

With membership jumping from modest 30 discerning women in 2020 to 1,108 individual members and 27 corporate members in 2025, Oracle Intelligence observes that WIEN’s growth reflects its rising credibility and its relevance in an industry undergoing rapid transformation.

With a key agendum centered on inclusive and gender balanced energy industry leadership, WIEN’s interventions have since transcended the fortunes of members currently career and commercial activities in the energy industry to sustainable empowerment of women from early life through STEM education to full accomplishments.

Mrs Fatai-Williams noted that the Network has advanced girls’ and women’s participation in STEM through grassroots IWD career fairs in Lagos and Port Harcourt, and through active involvement in national and global IWD events.

“These programmes connected young girls and professional women to mentors, insights, and opportunities, helping build a future workforce that mirrors the diversity the sector needs,” she told reporters at a pre-AGM media briefing.

She said WIEN also expanded its industry footprint with active participation in key energy conferences, exhibitions, and policy dialogues across Nigeria, Africa, and the world. The engagements, she said, enabled WIEN to champion gender inclusion, highlight the importance of diverse leadership, and push for sustainable energy solutions.

She pointed out that WIEN has consistently reinforced its position as a strategic partner in shaping the future of the energy sector by ensuring that women’s voices are part of national and continental policy conversations.

Innovation and capacity building remained central to WIEN’s work, Mrs Fatai-Williams declared, adding that the group has equipped members with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing sector through masterclasses and webinars on AI, cybersecurity, financial management, investment, and regulatory compliance.

“The Collegiate Community advanced the Girls in STEM agenda through mentorship, research initiatives, and digital skills training,” she stated, noting that the group has delivered over 2000 hours of learning solutions and facilitated more numbers of mentorship opportunities for members.

As part of its engagement with policy drivers and industry governance leaders, Mrs Fatai-Williams stated that WIEN recently engaged the Special Adviser to the President on Energy to explore growth opportunities for female professionals and women-led businesses in the sector.

“This engagement produced a database of women owned businesses and qualified female leaders, reinforcing WIEN’s push for fair representation in energy business and governance. A new partnership with eTranzact International Plc will offer cost easing digital solutions to women led enterprises, boosting their competitiveness in Nigeria’s growing technology-driven economy, she pointed out.

The role and impact of WIEN have continued to earn appreciation of the energy industry community, including the energy media, which have acknowledged the group with multiple Industry Advocate Awards. Mrs Fatai-Williams explained that the awards affirmed WIEN’s increasing influence and its commitment to positive change within the sector.

In appraising the performance of the group in 2024, Mrs Fatai Williams commended the outgoing leadership and welcomed the incoming Board, emphasizing that WIEN’s next chapter must build on its strong foundation to accelerate change. She urged members to remain unwavering in their mission to open doors, challenge limits, and shape a sector that reflects the creativity, competence, and leadership of women.

“As we step into 2026, WIEN will continue to drive inclusion, spark innovation, and champion sustainability across the energy landscape. Our strength lies in our unity, our vision, and our commitment to shaping the future,” she said.

In her speech at the event, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Mrs. Cecilia Aqua-Umoren, declared that 2024 had been a year marked by growth, strategic engagement, and rising visibility for the organization across Nigeria’s energy sector.

In her remarks which were delivered by the founding President of WIEN, Mrs Funmi Ogbue, the BOT Chairman sent assurances of progress and solid commitment from the Board, saying that WIEN strengthened its programs, expanded partnerships, and advanced advocacy efforts aimed at improving gender diversity and inclusion in the industry.

She noted that the network’s achievements were driven by the dedication of its executives, committee leads, volunteers, and members who continue to push for wider opportunities for women in the sector.

Dr. Aqua-Umoren called on members to reflect on the ground already covered and the momentum the organization has built; stressing that WIEN would continue breaking long standing barriers and opening new doors for women to lead and influence policy and business outcomes within the full scope of the energy industry.

The Board Chair also reaffirmed the commitment of the Board of Trustees to provide steady support for the executive arm of the organization; pledging that the board will continue to strengthen governance, back leadership development initiatives, and ensure that WIEN remains a platform where women grow, thrive, and contribute to sector-wide transformation.

The meeting set a positive tone for the year ahead with the election of new executive members led by Mrs Eyono Fatai-Williams who was reelected into the position after an initial term in office, as members look forward to building on the progress already made and expanding WIEN’s impact across the energy industry.

The AGM closed with renewed commitment from members who remain determined to advance WIEN’s mission and solidify the network’s role as a key driver of transformation in the energy industry.