The Women in Energy Network (WIEN), an association of women in the Nigerian energy sector, will host the 2023 International Women’s Day Breakfast Session on March 24, 2023.

This year’s event is themed, “Programmes & Initiatives for Equitable Access for Women in the Nigerian Energy Industry,” and will be hosted in partnership with Women in Shell Network and Seplat Awesome Women’s Network.

Now in its third edition, the  first two breakfast sessions  brought together women in the industry to discuss the challenges they face and share experiences. These sessions have provided valuable insights into the issues affecting women in the sector, and WIEN is committed to addressing these challenges through this  event.

Briefing newsmen ahead of the event at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, WIEN’s president, Funmi Ogbue, while identifying the energy sector as a key sector in the growth and development of Nigeria, noted that women play significant role  in driving innovation, excellence, and progress in the field.

Citing data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), Ogbue said that women make up only 22 percent of the energy industry’s workforce in Nigeria, and only 12 percent hold senior management roles.

“As we all know, the energy industry is critical to the growth and development of Nigeria, and women play an essential role in driving innovation, excellence, and progress in this field. However, despite their contributions, women still face significant barriers to entry and advancement in the energy sector,” Ogbue who was represented by the Business Development & Publicity Director, WIEN, Charlotte Essiet, said.

“That is why the WIEN 2023 International Women’s Day Breakfast Session is so timely and essential. This event brings together industry experts, policymakers, and advocates to share insights on the various programs and initiatives aimed at promoting equitable access for women in the Nigerian energy industry.

“As we celebrate the progress, we have made in advancing the role of women in the energy sector, we are also aware of the challenges that lie ahead. According to a recent report by the International Energy Agency, women make up only 22% of the energy industry’s workforce in Nigeria, and only 12% occupy senior management roles.

This highlights the need for concerted efforts to promote gender diversity in the sector, and we believe that the new administration has a critical role to play in this regard.”

Since its inception in 2020, the president said that WIEN has been committed to the promotion and advancement of women in the energy sector.

“We have worked tirelessly to empower women through various initiatives and programs. Some of our key activities include:

“Providing training and mentoring opportunities: We believe that women need to be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the energy sector. To this end, we have organized training and mentoring programs that provide women with the tools they need to advance their careers.

“Organizing networking events: We understand the importance of networking in the energy sector, and we have organized several events that bring women in the industry together to share experiences, build relationships, and create opportunities.

“Advocating for equal opportunities and gender diversity in the workplace: We believe that gender diversity is essential for the success of the energy sector, and we have been actively advocating for equal opportunities and gender diversity in the workplace,” she said.

While WIEN is committed to working towards the goal of advancement of women in the energy sector, Ogbue said the association looks forward to collaborating with the incoming administration at the federal level  to create a more equitable and inclusive energy sector and to prioritize the advancement of women in the energy sector.

“We believe that this can be achieved through policies and initiatives that promote equal opportunities, gender diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. We also urge the government to support training and mentoring programs for women in the industry and to encourage public-private partnerships that promote gender diversity in the sector,” she said.

Ogbue called on the media to support WIEN’s cause and help the association raise awareness on the need for gender diversity in the industry.

“We invite you to continue the conversation on advancing the role of women in the Nigerian energy industry. Together, we can create a better future for women in the energy sector,” she added.

Also speaking at the press conference, the chairperson of the 2023 WIEN IWD Committee, Abimbola Onakomaiya, said the association is expecting representatives from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Seplat Energy, Shell Nigeria,  Sahara Group, First Bank, and Energy Transition Office.