Women in Maritime and Energy Push for Greater Inclusion and Action

As industry leaders, stakeholders, and advocates gathered at the Women In Maritime and Energy (WIME) Awards 2025, the message was clear: progress for women in the maritime and energy sectors requires not just promises but bold action.

The event, which was held at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos with the theme “Accelerating Action from Promises to Progress”, celebrated achievements and highlighted ongoing challenges, underscoring the need for collaboration, policy reform, and strategic leadership.

In her address, Chizoba Ayinka, Deputy Director, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Chairman of WIME Advisory Board, emphasized the power of resilience and innovation in shaping a sustainable future. She commended the WIME Advisory Board members and urged industry leaders to move beyond words and into meaningful action, forging partnerships that would create real opportunities for women and children.

“We are expanding, we are growing, and we are actively seeking more collaborations and partners who share our vision. Our goal is to build stronger networks, create more mentorship opportunities, and push for policies that truly support women in powering human energy.”

“We want to work with organizations, industry leaders, and policymakers who are ready to take action, not just in words, but in meaningful commitment,” Ayinka said.

“The future for energy and maritime is female. It is us. We are unstoppable.”

Echoing this call for change, Olajumoke Ajayi, President-elect of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) and CEO of Ingentia Energy, pointed out the persistent struggle for gender equality. While acknowledging progress, she noted that promises of equality, justice, and opportunity often remain unfulfilled. Policies and initiatives are frequently launched with great fanfare, yet many fail to translate into tangible outcomes.

“We acknowledge the strides made towards gender equality. However, we also recognize the significant work that remains to be done,” Ajayi said.

“Year after year, we have witnessed the same promises concerning issues of equality, justice, and opportunity. We have listened to different speeches and watched as policies are put into place and numerous initiatives are launched with great fanfare. The tragic part of the story is that we continue to wait for many of these promises to come through.”

She stressed that true progress is a shared vision, and when men and women are given equal opportunities, industry growth becomes inevitable.

Adding to the discussion, Modupe Oyeneyin, Division Manager for Procurement Strategy and Supply Chain Management at Oando, emphasized the importance of accelerating action. She argued that waiting for perfect conditions is no longer an option and called for bold, intentional, and collaborative efforts to close the gap between potential and performance. Drawing from both scriptural and business perspectives, she underscored the importance of perseverance, stating that setbacks are merely stepping stones to success.

“When we talk about accelerating action, it’s a call to action. It’s a call to being bold, to being intentional, to being collaborative,” Oyeneyin said.

She shared insights from a recent breakthrough in Africa’s energy sector—Oando’s acquisition of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), which increased the company’s current participating interests in OMLs 60, 61, 62, and 63 from 20% to 40%.

Initially met with skepticism, the acquisition was achieved through strategic alignment, regulatory navigation, and intense negotiations. As a leader overseeing operations across oil and gas, clean energy, mining, and infrastructure, she highlighted the importance of teamwork in executing complex projects.

Recognizing Excellence in Maritime and Energy

The evening also honored individuals making remarkable strides in the sector:

• Mrs. Joy Dimka, Senior Legal Officer at the Nigeria Shippers Council, was recognized as the Rising Star in Maritime.
• Dr. Onyebuchi Odianjo received the Rising Star in Energy award.
• Dr. Nosa Omorodion, Country Director of Schlumberger, was named He for She Ambassador for his contributions to gender equality in the industry.
• The prestigious Diamond Award was presented to Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of NIMASA, for his leadership and impact.

At the helm of WIME’s initiatives is Executive Director Tunbosun Afolayan, also the Co-Founder of PRO ALLY, a communication and stakeholder management company for the energy and STEM sectors. Under her leadership, WIME continues to champion policies and programs that drive real change.

As the event concluded, the resounding message was one of unity and determination. The future of maritime and energy, the speakers affirmed, is not just about including women—it is about women leading the charge. With an unstoppable force of advocates, professionals, and policymakers, the industry is poised for transformation.