Ziggy Ojiegbe

The Chief Executive Officer of Falcon Corporation Limited, Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, has urged Nigeria’s energy industry to deepen its commitment to appointing women to top leadership positions, particularly across the gas value chain, as the sector marks International Women’s Day 2026.

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Joe-Ezigbo made the call while reflecting on the growing presence of female chief executives and managing directors in Nigeria’s energy sector, describing it as a significant shift in an industry historically dominated by men.

She noted that the emergence of women in strategic leadership roles across the sector signals a structural change in how talent and governance are perceived within the industry.

Among the notable female leaders she highlighted was Olu Arowolo Verheijen, whose policy advocacy has helped elevate national dialogue on energy reforms and sector investment, and Oritsemeyiwa Amanamisi Eyesan, whose recent confirmation as chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission marks a major milestone in regulatory leadership in the country’s upstream petroleum industry.

Joe-Ezigbo also acknowledged the growing influence of female executives across key segments of the energy value chain. These include Folake Soetan of Ikeja Electric, Jennifer Adighije of Niger Delta Power Holding Company, and Wola Joseph-Condotti of Eko Electricity Distribution Company.

She further cited leaders in the oil and gas industry such as Elozino Olaniyan of Midwestern Oil & Gas Company, Catherine Uju Ifejika of Brittania-U Nigeria Limited, and Seinye Lulu-Briggs of Moni Pulo Limited as examples of women shaping leadership in Nigeria’s energy industry.

According to Joe-Ezigbo, the willingness of corporate boards and shareholders to elevate women into the highest decision-making positions reflects increasing maturity in the sector and a growing recognition that competence and vision are not defined by gender.

“Each of these appointments sends a powerful message beyond boardrooms and balance sheets,” she said. “It signals to the world that Nigeria’s energy sector is prepared to compete on the strength of its full talent pool. It signals to investors that governance and leadership selection are becoming more merit-driven. And most importantly, it signals to the girl child that there is no part of the energy value chain that is beyond her reach, not the control room, not the trading desk, not the executive suite.”

She commended organisations that have taken what she described as bold decisions to entrust women with complex operational mandates, noting that such choices strengthen institutional credibility and long-term sustainability.

Joe-Ezigbo said the gas sector in particular stands at a pivotal moment as Nigeria advances its industrialisation and energy security agenda through expanded domestic gas utilisation.

“As we build pipelines, scale distribution networks and finance critical gas infrastructure, we must also build leadership systems that reflect inclusion and foresight,” she said. “Gas is central to Nigeria’s transition story. The leadership shaping that story must reflect the diversity of the nation it serves.”

She added that the current decade presents a rare opportunity to redefine leadership expectations in the energy industry, urging boards, regulators and investors to institutionalise inclusive succession planning rather than treat female appointments as isolated milestones.

“At Falcon, we see inclusion not as a campaign theme but as a governance principle,” she said. “The progress we are witnessing across the sector should not be episodic. It should be sustained, measurable and irreversible.”

Joe-Ezigbo said the commemoration of International Women’s Day provides the industry with an opportunity not only to celebrate the achievements of women but also to consolidate progress and ensure that the next generation of female engineers, economists and energy executives inherits a sector defined by merit, opportunity and equal access to leadership.