Women In Energy Restate Commitment To Excellence

The Women in Energy Network (WIEN) has called on its members to remain innovative in their business development skills to support Nigerian energy landscape.

The group expressed its desire to strengthen partnerships and actively participate in several energy conferences, exhibitions, and industry events.

The WIEN said it will continue to shape the future of the energy industry, making it more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable in the coming year 2026.

This is despite the Network re-electing Eyono Fatayi-Williams as president to steer the group’s affairs for the next two years.

At the 4th Annual General Meeting 2025, held in Lagos, WIEN ratified the new executives, expressing enthusiasm in the increasing number of women in leadership positions in the midstream and downstream, while the percentage in the upstream is also growing.

Speaking at a press conference preceding the AGM, Fatayi-Williams stated that the group had grown in size, significance, and impact over the last five years and is committed to continuing to create a platform for women to excel across the energy value chain.

“While we celebrate our successes, we also acknowledge the challenges that remain. Our story is still being written. The next chapters must be bolder, louder, and even more impactful. The journey is ongoing, and there is still much work to be done”, she stated.

Looking ahead to 2026, she encouraged all members to continue dreaming big, setting bold and defining goals, and breaking through glass ceilings.

Echoing the significant growth in membership, Fatayi-Williams said WIEN has surpassed the 1,000 mark, reaching an impressive 1,108 members.

According to her, the corporate membership is also growing with four new corporate members welcomed this year: Corporate NNPC Retail Limited in February, Lonadek Global Services in July, Tenaris Nigeria in August, and TotalEnergies last month.

Among its significant community impacts, she said, WIEN had in 2025 extended its sensitisation to the grassroots with STEM-focused career fairs in Lagos and Port Harcourt for girls in government secondary schools. Through career talks, hands-on sessions, and interactions with female role models, we opened doors of possibility for young girls, helping them see energy and STEM not as distant dreams, but as attainable futures.

She added: “WIEN’s influence within the Nigerian energy landscape was strengthened through its continued partnerships and active participation in several energy conferences, exhibitions, and industry events.

“In addition, WIEN participated in key stakeholder engagements, including the NCDMB Stakeholders Engagement Forum and the CGE Africa Stakeholder Dialogue, ensuring women’s voices remain present and influential in national and continental energy policy conversations,” she stated.

She stressed that the group’s promotion of women’s participation and leadership in the energy sector involves equipping them with the skills, insights, and confidence to excel.

“This year, WIEN delivered a series of masterclasses, webinars, and health talks covering topics such as Life After Subsidy, Financial Management for Owner-Managed Businesses, Finance Investment, Cybersecurity, FIRS e-Invoicing, AI, and Mental Health and Hormonal Management. These platforms have helped build capacity and foster mentorship, networking, and actionable learning for our members.

“In September, WIEN had the honor of paying a courtesy visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy. This engagement was both productive and strategic, leading to the development of a database of women-owned businesses that the government can promote, as well as identifying women ready for board and executive leadership positions.

“WIEN deepened its support for women-owned and women-led businesses through a new partnership with eTranzact International Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading payment and technology infrastructure providers. Through this partnership, our corporate members and business owners will benefit from discounted rates for the FIRS e-Invoicing solution.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to empowering women in business, easing the cost of compliance, and strengthening the competitiveness of women-led enterprises in Nigeria’s evolving digital economy,” she stated.

The executive secretary, WIEN, Asanimo Omezi, said the group also has a series of programmes lined up for 2026 to empower women to be able to attain strategic positions in the oil and gas value chain.

Omezi said the Network is currently working with the office of the special adviser to the President on Energy to develop a database of women-owned businesses that the government can promote, as well as identifying women ready for board and executive leadership positions.

The chairman, Board of Trustee, WIEN, Dr. Cecilia Aqua-Umoren, said the past year has been one of growth, strategic engagement, and continued visibility for WIEN across the energy sector.

“Our programmes, partnerships, and advocacy efforts have further cemented our role as a leading voice for gender diversity and inclusion within Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape,” she stated.

Aqua-Umoren applauded the executives for their outstanding achievements.

The newly elected executives are: Eyono Fatayi-Williams (President); Ihuoma Chukwuka (Board Secretary); Dorothe Eboh (Academy Director); Lola Oyenekan (Business Development and Publicity Director); Adebisi Adeola (Finance Director); Rita Obiageli Kwentoh (Sponsorship Director).

Others are: Yetunde Odejobi (Vice President- Gas); Bassey Adie (Conferences and Partnership Director); Ifeoma Ukabiala (Vice President, Upstream); Damilola Owoloabi (Membership Director); and Sherifat Adegbenro (Vice President – Power and Renewables