By Ono Yima
In a push for gender diversity in Nigeria’s energy sector, the Women in Energy Network (WIEN) recently met with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Ogbe. WIEN President Eyono Fatayi-Williams led the delegation in a dynamic discussion aimed at fostering inclusivity for women in the industry.
Held at the NCDMB office in Abuja, the meeting provided WIEN a platform to champion greater representation of women in leadership roles, technical positions, and entrepreneurial ventures within the energy sector. WIEN stressed the need for supportive policies that empower women to thrive and drive the sector’s growth.
Engr. Felix Ogbe praised WIEN’s dedication to gender diversity and promised NCDMB’s backing for initiatives promoting women’s participation in the energy field.
In furtherance of their aim, WIEN presented research findings and recommendations, proposing actionable steps to dismantle barriers and boost opportunities for women in the sector.
Engr. Ogbe affirmed NCDMB’s commitment to collaborating with WIEN and other stakeholders to effect positive change. He highlighted the crucial role of partnership in advancing gender diversity and expressed confidence in the transformative impact of inclusive practices on the industry’s sustainability and competitiveness.
Both WIEN and NCDMB committed to implementing measures that ensure equal opportunities for women, contributing to Nigeria’s socio-economic development and global competitiveness in the energy sector.
In a similar move, WIEN had also appealed to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to embrace gender diversity and inclusivity. They noted that their organization comprises a diverse group of highly skilled and accomplished women.
“Our network comprises a diverse group of highly skilled and accomplished women who have made substantial contributions to the energy sector and have achieved some remarkable results in the process,”
“A body of experts from WIEN liaised with the National Assembly to ensure gender consideration in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA); partnered with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to set up a sectoral working group and fund for women; and also built a college and varsity scholarship programme for science inclined rural students.
“Other initiatives pioneered by the group include partnerships with numerous industry and multilateral organizations including Power Africa, USAID, DFID, Afrexim Bank, IoD, and many others. The group has also been providing thought leadership and policy alternatives to the energy industry through participation at major industry events” WIEN said in their congratulatory message to the President, urging him “not to leave out its members in the appointment of board members and heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)”.