Editor’s Note

T he month of March is Women's History Month. It is an annual celebration declared to

highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society
throughout the month of March.

Interestingly, March 8 is the special day in the month set aside for the celebration of
International Women’s Day. A day that has become global in celebrating the social,
economic, cultural and political achievements of women – while also advancing the call to
action for accelerating gender balance.

Every year, a theme is usually selected to shed light and bring to the fore certain issues
regarding gender equality. In the past, these themes have included ‘Better The Balance’,
‘Better The World’, ‘Be Bold For Change’, ‘I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women's
Rights’ among others.

This year 2022, the United Nations announced the International Women’s Day (IWD) campaign theme as, “Break The Bias". The key
mission of this year’s IWD campaign theme is to forge inclusive work cultures where women’s careers thrive whilst creating awareness
for a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.

It is the belief of a well-meaning people around the world that collective action is required with shared responsibility for driving a
gender-balanced world.

Interestingly, given that gender balance is crucial for economies and communities to thrive, the drive to end all forms of discrimination
against women is being sustained. There is also consistent clamor for the gender-balanced boardroom, a gender-balanced government,
gender-balanced media coverage, a gender inclusive workplace particularly for largely male dominated sectors and more gender-bal-
ance wealth creation opportunities.

Impressively, in the Maritime & Energy sectors within Africa and across the world, there has been consistent calls for an industry that is
all inclusive and prioritizes the empowerment and upliftment of its women.
Organizations, brands and agencies within the sectors are not left out in designing commendable policies and initiatives that are geared
towards empowering women in the Maritime industry and across the entire value chain of the Energy industry.
There is ample evidence that investing in women is the most effective way to lift communities, companies, and even countries. Several
studies have shown that Countries with more gender equality have better economic growth.
That is why Doyenne Magazine in this special maiden edition (Issue 01) has set out to beam the spotlight on some of the brightest and
brilliant women accelerating business results in the Maritime and Energy sector with a special concise profile on some of the leading
women in Maritime & Energy as well as organizations championing them.
Special attention is paid to the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for its exemplary contributions to women
empowerment within the Oil & Gas industry.
We have specially curated segments like Industry News Roundup, Women Watch, IWD Messages, as well as other articles in this special
maiden issue of Doyenne Magazine for your reading pleasure.
We look forward to an amazing journey where in the next few years, Doyenne Magazine will be the most important source chronicling
the business results of women in Maritime and across the entire value chain of the Energy industry in Africa with our reportage and
professionally curated stories and coverage, whilst being a voice for diversity & inclusion in both industries.

Happy Reading!

Osaze E. Isesele
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Layout & Production Contributors

OUR TEAM
OUR TEAM

Osaze Isesele Wale Lebi Tunbuson Oke Afolayan

Adewale Sanyaolu
Manager, Business Development Design
Uche Usim
Mayowa Adeniran George Mazino
Folajimi Anisulowo
Ismail Asiemu
Felix Douglas
Maria Diamond
Industry News
Roundup
01 Shell has defined Strategy to Support Nigeria
Net Zero Emission Target - Aiboni
Managing Director of Shell
Nigeria Exploration and Produc-
tion Company (SNEPCo), Mrs.
Eloho Aiboni, said in Lagos at
the opening session of the 2022
edition of the Sub-Saharan
African International Petroleum
Exhibition and Conference
(SAIPEC), that the multinational
company has strategised to
support the country’s net zero
emission target which is in
alignment with the Shell
group’s ambition.
According to the SNEPCo MD,
“Shell companies in Nigeria are
contributing to meeting this
aggressive target by driving
operational excellence of our
existing assets, generating
maximum value to secure and
fund our growth and energy
Mrs. Eloho Aiboni, transition activities, and driving
Managing Director of alternative energy solutions
through the Shell-seeded
SNEPCo
impact investing company,
All-On.”
She said Shell was also expand-
ing its domestic gas delivery
network while building capabili-
ty and relevant skills in the
upstream towards energy
transition.
Aiboni, who was represented
by Shell’s General Manager
Business Relations, Mr. Bashir
Bello, described Shell’s gas
infrastructure project in Aba,
Abia State as one of the many
contributions Shell is making to
boost industrialisation through
the use of gas while helping to
cut down on carbon emission.
“Our provision of access to
cleaner and stable source of
energy, through our gas
pipelines, provides electricity to
the popular Ariaria Internation-
al Market in Aba which has over
37,000 shops and an estimated
one million traders,”Aiboni said.
She said Shell remained
committed to supporting the
Paris Agreement’s aim to limit
global warming to 1.5 degrees
Celsius. “We also are working
hard to help those who use our
products to reduce their own
emission.”
Aiboni pointed out that about
80 metric tonnes of Shell’s
global CO2 emission in 2019 for
instance, came from its direct
and indirect operations
compared to over 1,500 metric
tonnes of CO2 from Shell’s
customers’ use of the compa-
ny’s products. “The opportuni-
ties lie, therefore, in more
environmentally friendly
energy products and alternative
energy sources including solar
and hydrogen.”
02 Nigeria has the Largest Proven Gas
Reserves in Sub-Saharan Africa- Sylva
Delivering his Keynote address
at the ‘Decade of Gas’ Session
of the 5th Edition of Nigeria
International Energy Summit
(N.I.E.S), the Minister of State
for Petroleum Resources, Chief
Timipre Sylva, reiterated that by
the end of 2022, the Decade of
Gas initiative would have hit the
two-year mark which would
have also left the country with 8
years to the target year.
“So, as we examine the actions
needed from now to our target
year, 2030, it is helpful for us to
reflect and consider how far we
have come and where we are in
this Decade of Gas effort.
Progress should be assessed
regularly and workplans updat-
ed on a regular basis to ensure
that the Decade of Gas initiative
meet the set objectives.
It is important to ask this
question; why is the Buhari
administration taking the
Decade of Gas seriously? The
answers are not far-fetched.”
According to the Minister, the
country’s potential is
enormous. Nigeria current
natural gas reserves have risen
to 206.53tcf, yet, the country
has not even scratched at the
600tcf potential. Nigeria has
the largest proven gas reserves
in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as
enviable Liquefied Natural Gas
(LNG) infrastructure and export
facilities.
Sylva pointed out that interven-
tions in the gas sector have a
significant positive effect on
power sector development. It
has the ability to lift people out
of energy poverty and foster
economic development.
On the economics aspect, Natu-
ral gas is a highly competitive
source of power and it can
replace more expensive fuel
sources, thus reducing the cost
of energy with lower energy
prices, businesses can thrive
and more people can have
access to electricity.
He stated further that the
entire gas value chain also
offers rich investment opportu-
nities for Nigerian companies
and entrepreneurs, including
the ability of not only powering
current industries today but -By Felix Douglas
also generating entirely new
industries tomorrow, which
means additional millions of that is designed to optimize and leverage key
new jobs for Nigerians. strengths to achieve a discrete and measurable
set of objectives for the Decade of Gas.”
The Minister noted that Buhari
administration is bent on “A robust roadmap will, no doubt, help in our
accomplishing its gas revolution quest for Nigeria’s gas revolution to be accom-
agenda. plished in our lifetime.”
“More than ever before, Nigeria
is uniquely positioned to make
a success story out of this
mantra. I can bet that if planned
and ongoing gas facilities and
infrastructure are completed,
gas would not only lift millions
of Nigerians out of poverty, but
the West African sub-region
could become energy self-suffi-
cient as a result of Nigeria’s gas
revolution.”
“We are on course to solving
both domestic and sub-regional
natural gas deficiencies. Like I
said at this summit last year, the
world expects so much from
Nigeria’s gas sector and we
need to match that expectation
with action. It is time to awaken
the giant!”
Referring to the panel session
on gas at N.I.E.S, the Minister
revealed that it would look at
the Roadmap to Gas-Powered
Economy by 2030.
“At the end of this panel
session, my expectation is that
we can come up with a docu-
ment from the deliberations
 03
Industry News Roundup

PETAN Chairman Advocates for Collaboration,

Innovation to Enhance Future of the
Energy Sector at SAIPEC
economy. Some local compa- regional spread across Sub-Sa-
nies even did exploit with haran Africa”.
inventions.
Dignitaries and delegates who
The PETAN Chairman disclosed attended SAIPEC event
that “stabilized and stabilizing includes:
markets have all encouraged
innovation in several industries NCDMB Executive Secretary,
despite supply chains disrup- Engr. Simbi Wabote, pioneer
tions”, he stated that Executive Secretary, Ernest
“Private-market investors are Nwapa, former Managing
Nicholas Odinuwe, PETAN Chairman delivering uniquely positioned to benefit Director of NLNG, Tony Attah
his welcome address at the 6th SAIPEC from the innovation super cycle and Secretary General of the
-By Felix Douglas that is being driven by digitiza- African Petroleum Producer’s
tion of the global economy, a Organization (APPO), Dr. Omar
The Sub-Saharan Africa Interna- energy sector through collabo- decade-long transformation Farouk Ibrahim.
tional Petroleum Exhibition and ration, entrepreneurship, and accelerated by the pandemic.
Conference (SAIPEC), Africa’s innovation. Others include, representatives
largest gathering of oil, gas and Odinuwe stated thus: “The of the Chief Executive Officer of
energy professionals, hosted by Adding that through robust value chain in the oil, gas and Nigerian National Petroleum
Petroleum Technology Associa- topical discussions, debates energy industry is such that if Company Limited (NNPC),
tion of Nigeria (PETAN), begins and interactions, stakeholders properly harnessed, will trans- Mallam Mele Kyari and the
its 6th edition today in Lagos. and key players at the confer- form the economy of the entire Minister of State for Petroleum
ence will have ample opportu- continent. The challenge has Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva
Chairman of PETAN, Mr. Nicolas nities to share ideas and critical been an enabling environment and among others.
Odinuwe, in his opening insights into the region’s hydro- to create a private sector-led
address, welcomed delegates carbon and transition-energies industry. Governments across
from over 25 countries of the businesses. Africa, especially the Oil and gas
Sub-Sahara Africa who producing sub-Saharan coun-
converged in Lagos for the He stressed further that PETAN tries, should provide necessary
epoch event. will continue to appeal to all incentives to attract
governments, policy makers, private-sector investments
Odinuwe made it known that legislators, captains of indus- across the entire value chain.
the international energy confer- tries and all industry stakehold- This will trigger a massive
ence is being hosted by PETAN, ers to inculcate submissions economic revolution, human
an association of leading Nigeri- and deliberations of SAIPEC capital development and
an indigenous technical oilfield conference into their plans, deepen local content across
service companies across the programmes and policies for a Africa.”
energy value chain with active better operating environment
support from the Nigerian that will have the desired Stressing on the theme for this
Content Development and positive effect on the respective year’s SAIPEC event titled:
Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to economies of African nations. “Fostering Collaboration to
promote and enhance local create cross-border partner-
content. PETAN is the largest The PETAN Chairman ships across the oil, gas and
and leading advocacy group bemoaned the challenges the energy spectrum”, Odinuwe
representing Nigerian Oil and oil industry passed through opined that it is very apt in the
Gas service companies with during Covid-19 pandemic sense that “exhibitors, spon-
membership across the entire which changed the global sors, and delegates, especially
value chain of the oil sector economy and caused a down those who are joining us for the
which have been delivering turn. first time – we believe after
quality services to the industry now – will make this a perma-
for the past three decades. Ultimately, Odinuwe admitted nent feature of your annual
Odinuwe stated that the that the wave of the pandemic calendars. Our desire is to build
conference will show case came with innovations driven this conference to be enviable
emphasis on the future of the by digitization of the global & innovative with as much
04
Industry News Roundup

Nigeria International Maritime Summit,

NIMS to Hold July 5th-6th 2022
The Nigeria International Maritime Summit ("NIMS") is the pre-eminent business event in
the Nigerian maritime industry. It focuses on the most important issues for discussion, while
ensuring excellent deal-making and business promotion opportunities. The 2022 event
follows the resounding success of NIMS 2021, which witnessed robust knowledge exchang-
es, major industry announcements and colourful promotional highlights by the maritime
industry.

NIMS 2022 will feature high-level sessions on ports, ships, cargo, finance, maritime security,
the blue economy and a range of other issues in the Nigerian maritime industry. The summit
will also feature a maritime industry exhibition, networking events and curated
business-to-business and business-to-government sessions. NIMS 2022 is organized as a
whole-of-industry collaboration, with participation open to all.

NIMS sets the agenda and offers solutions for maritime business, policy, and operations in
Nigeria. It also promotes a strategic and practical approach to policy implementation and decision-maker accountability.

The 2022 event will incorporate all the highlights that elevated the inaugural event as a key maritime industry fixture. Apart from the
high-level sessions that will touch on the most important issues affecting operations and policy, NIMS 2022 will feature a maritime industry
exhibition dedicated to promotion of Nigerian and international maritime and related businesses.

Networking events will also feature strongly to boost business-to-business and business-to-government interactions and deals.

Further updates will be provided regularly. For more information, please contact the event secretariat by email – info@nims.com.ng, or
call 09136185499

Stakeholders call for women’s collaboration
Stakeholders at the 6th Sub
Saharan African international
Petroleum Exhibition and
Conference (SAIPEC) have
encouraged collaboration of
women in the Sub Saharan
Energy sector during the
Women in Industry Panel
provides a unique platform for
some of the finest minds of the
industry to convene and
connect as well as put forward
solutions towards building a
diverse and inclusive future for
the sector.
The Secretary of PETAN and
Managing Director of AFTRAC,
Mrs. Patricia Simon Hart made
this known while delivering her
keynote address on Thursday at
the grand finale of SAIPEC’s 4th
conference in Lagos.
She made it known that there is
a need for women to be in the
energy sector and make an
impact.
She said, “Women have a prom-
inent role to play in the energy
in Oil & gas sector
sector and the vision of SAIPEC
for women in industry is to
become leading women in the
association of oil and gas sector
and building relationships and
networks is needed.
“We are also building a circle of
trust among ourselves, and
contact inter connection. Also,
when you help another woman
up, we all share.
“Women are to act as connec-
tors to people and organiza-
tions cannot reach their full
potentials without incorporat-
ing gender balance formation”.
Also in a panel discussion on
the collaboration of women in
energy in Sub Saharan African,
Managing Director of Zigma
Limited, Mrs Funmi Ogbue said
that there is need to collabo-
rate and make impact as
women in energy sector, stating
that it is their core vision to
become leading women in the
association of oil sector by
building relationship, connec-
Women
watch
tion and network. She added that, “implementing
programs on financial literacy
According to her, “Women and access to savings accounts
should act as connectors to to advance saving programs
people, develop networks and designed for women and a key
platforms to foster collabora- driver of women’s economic
tion in Sub Saharan Africa and empowerment and community
Organizations cannot reach development is Centre For
their full potentials without Global Development.”
including gender balance
formation, i t has a long way to An Exxon Mobil representative
go in the growth of a sector.” said the company has support-
ed women in more than 90
Petroleum Authority of countries to fulfil their econom-
Uganda, Mrs. Lindah Nalubanga ic potentials and drive econom-
said during the panel of discus- ic and social changes in their
sion that 75percent of their oil communities.
industry directorate are
women, adding that Uganda
Authority also saw the need to
incorporate women in the oil
activities of the country.
However, in a bid to further give
clear analysis of the importance
of women in the oil sector, a
representative of Exxon Mobil
disclosed that they are keen at
developing entrepreneurs and
also boost women’s manage-
ment skills.
Aiboni, Ogbue, wins "Women in Energy Award" at Nigerian
International Energy Summit 2022
Managing Director, Shell Nigeria
Exploration and Production Company,
Mrs. Elohor Aiboni; flanked by the
Minister of State for Petroleum
Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; and the
Executive Secretary and Chief Execu-
tive Officer, Nigerian Content Develop-
ment and Monitoring Board, Mr. Simbi
Wabote, celebrating the emergence of
Aiboni as the 2021 Women in Energy
Award winner at the Gala Dinner and
Award Night of the 2022 edition of the
Nigeria International Energy Summit in
Abuja.

Mrs Funmi Ogbue, the Chief Executive

Officer of Zigma Limited, a petroleum and
petrochemical company, has bagged the
Women in Energy Award, at the just
concluded 5th Nigerian International
Energy Summit (NIES) held in Abuja.

Ogbue, who doubles as the National Presi-

dent of Women In Energy Network
(WIEN), clinched the award alongside
Elohor Aiboni, Managing Director, SNEPCO
Limited.

The award recognises Ogbue’s immense

contributions to the development of the
country’s petroleum sector, especially her
strategic efforts at deepening women’s
participation in an industry that has been
dominated by men for decades.

Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company,

Mrs. Elohor Aiboni

Mrs Funmi Ogbue, the Chief Executive Officer of Zigma Limited &
President, Women in Energy Network (WIEN)

SPE WOMEN LEADERSHIP LECTURE SERIES
2022: Women inclusion, key to driving
economy, oil sector growth
Mrs. Lami Ahmed, Board member, NNPC Ltd; Prof. Olalekan Olafuyi, Chairman, SPE Nigeria Council; Senator Margery Chuba Okadigbo, Board
Chairman, NNPC Ltd; Mr. Chikezie Nwosu, MD/CEO Waltersmith Petroman Oil Ltd and Engr. Elohor Aiboni, MD Shell Nigeria Exploration &
Production Ltd (SNEPCO) at the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Women Leadership Lecture Series 2022 in commemoration of International
Women’s Day event in Lagos recently.
Stakeholders and Industry leaders have
restated that the inclusion of women in
the economy is key to stimulating econom-
ic growth as well as the petroleum
engineering sector.
Speaking on the theme of the event
tagged, “Breaking the Bias: Accelerating
Business and Economic growth through
Inclusion”, Buhari noted that women’s
education is a factor in maternal and child
mortality and in countries where there is a
high unemployment rate, less economic
opportunities, gender equality has been
proven to stimulate economic growth.
The First Lady, who was represented by
the Senior Special Assistant to the Presi-
dent on Legal Matters, Office of the First
Lady, Aisha Rimi, said that unless women
have access to empowerment opportuni-
ties and are allowed to gain education as
well as access to the workforce, many
countries will not develop as they should.
According to her, the gender pay gap
means that women do not earn as much
as men do and in Nigeria, the case is not
different.
‘I, therefore, urge ladies, women to contin-
ue the struggle by promoting the right of
women, girls to enable them to develop
Women
watch
the right fundamental skills and gain gender equality, especially in a national
invaluable knowledge that will help them context.
thrive in their careers and make decisions.
He assured that the SPE, being a
The keynote speaker of the event, the gender-sensitive organization will contin-
Chairman, Board of NNPC Limited, Senator ue to champion leadership programmes as
Margery Chuba-Okadigbo, while well as unlock the potential of gender
commending several initiatives of Presi- parity.
dent Muhammadu Buhari towards the oil
sector, said that the Nigerian economy
over the last decade has grown consider-
ably pre-COVID and added that the
economic growth has not impacted signifi-
cantly on the level of poverty and econom-
ic inequality in the country.
‘Nigeria continues to face massive devel-
opmental challenges including the need to
reduce the dependency on oil and diversi-
fy the economy. For us at NNPC, we see
this as a great opportunity backed by the
PIA to address some of these inclusivity
challenges. Thus, we see skill develop-
ment, financial inclusion, economic
growth and social development as
elements that can boost inclusive growth
in Nigeria,’ she said.
Earlier in his opening remark, the Chair-
man, SPE Council, Prof Olalekan Olafuyi,
stated that the SPE Women Leadership
Series, which is the maiden edition, is
aimed at driving the conversation around
 IWD2022: Usoro Encourages Women
to Believe in Themselves
Women
watch
By Folajimi Anisulowo

The President of the Chartered towards gender roles and

Institute of Logistics and Trans-
port (CILT) Nigeria, Mfon Ekong
Usoro has urged women, both
young and mature, to never
shy away from a challenge or
place limits on their abilities
simply because of what the
society wants them to believe
about their gender.
Usoro made this charge as part
of her International Women’s
Day 2022 speech on March 8,
2022, where she pointed out
that many female members of
CILT are illustrious, accom-
plished career women who
would never have reached
those heights had they placed
limits on what they thought
they could achieve.
“For the younger women, the
world is yours for the taking,”
she said. “You are opportuned
to live at a time when attitudes
stereotypes are changing
towards the ideal of true
gender equality. Do not be
deterred, despite the challeng-
es that you may encounter.
Create opportunities for
yourselves, exploit available
opportunities, invest in devel-
oping your skills, promote the
visibility of your skills and seek
counsel from women who
have walked the path.”
According to Usoro, the theme
for the 2022 International
Women’s Day, “BREAK THE
BIAS”, underscores the fact
that there is still a lot of work
to do in the quest for equal
access to opportunities for
men and women and all the
advantages that result from
the pursuit and implementa-
tion of the fundamental princi-
ples of equity, justice, and
fairness for everyone. Negative

stereotypes and biases, both
overt and unconscious against
women are exhibited in
various forms through overt
discrimination and abuse as
well as subtle innuendoes
which together result in the
narrowing of prospects for
growth to the female folks.
Usoro, who is the first female
president of CILT, also pointed
out that women may also be
guilty of harboring uncon-
scious biases that unfortunate-
ly cast down fellow women,
which they need to assess and
change.
“To bring it closer to home,
how many of us observe bad
driving and automatically think
“oh, it must be a woman” or
“no wonder, it’s a lady”? How
many of us giggle when the
thinker vocalizes his or her
unconscious bias? How many
of us believe and perpetuate
that divide and rule strategy
that “women cannot work with
fellow women”? We need to
interrogate ourselves to assess to join us in challenging stereotypes and breaking biases.”
what we have done to
challenge such stereotypes. To She concluded that “I am blessed to live in a time where I can issue this
play your role in breaking the statement as the first female President of CILT Nigeria. I use this oppor-
bias means having the courage tunity to celebrate all the women in CILT, in WILAT and in Next Genera-
to challenge these attitudes in tion. Today, on behalf of female members of CILT, Nigeria, we celebrate
small and large ways.” the strength and tenacity of women all over the world in the face of the
many biases that we have encountered and continue to encounter
“Gender equality, the fight simply because we are women. Collectively, we can #BreakTheBias.”
against harmful stereotypes
and bias is not a female-only
struggle. We want an equal,
fair, inclusive society for all,
and it is our duty to keep the
ladder up, to help other
women attain their goals. We
congratulate women who have
risen to the pinnacle of their
careers and the women who
are still climbing regardless of
the biases, including women
who by choice, have chosen
the path of home engineers
and are making a success of it.
We appreciate men that have
been our champions and
supporters in breaking the bias
and the barriers, and we
encourage the men who have
been on the sidelines or view
the struggle with amusement
 A Collective Responsibility

PSHAN’S VISION
A Nigeria where everyone has equitable access to quality and attendable healthcare

PSHAN’s
VALUES Core Programmes Impactful Investing

Our EPIC values make up the

competitive advantage that
sets us apart.
To learn more about our
programmes, please visit pshan.org Billion
Funds raised

ADHFP
Excellence Saving and Changing Lives

CAP GAVI STEP

Passion K+
NHIM ARC Lives saved

Integrity M2Z NICIR Renewed Health Intervention

MNCHW NHQI Million +

Care Nigerians reached through the
Malaria2Zero program
A4EPR ADFIN

CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA’S HEALTHCARE

Nigeria faces significant healthcare challenges that are solvable through a collective effort.

Maternal Mortality Under 5 Mortality Malaria Mortality

576 per 100,000 113.8 per 1,000 23% of Nigeria
Maternal deaths Under five years accounts for malaria
per live births deaths per 1,000 deaths globally

Accessibility
Difficulty accessing healthcare services
1:2,625
Physician to population ratio
76%
of the population pay
out-of-pocket

25% 20% 25% 20% 4%

Facility Compliance
Only 1 in 4
healthcare facilities are
able to achieve up to
25% compliance with
minimum requirements.
Functional Facilities
Only 1 in 5 of about
30,000 healthcare
facilities are fully
functional.
Vaccinated Children Essential Stock Budgetary Allocation
Only 1 in 4 Less than 1 in 5 primary Health falls far below the
children receive healthcare facilities have 15% benchmark leading to
all recommended essential drugs in stock. weakened health system
vaccines in Nigeria. and need for private
sector investment

Sources: WHO (2019), ReliefWeb (2019), UNICEF (2018, 2019, 2022), AllAfrica (2020), ThisDayLive (2019), PharmAccess Foundation (2019), FMOH (2021),
Ministry of Health PHC Plan 2021 – 2031, World Malaria Report (2020)

CONTACT US www.pshan.org
memberships@pshan.org | 01-4544024 | +2349077253255
“Saving our planet, lifting
people out of poverty, advanc-
ing economic growth... these
are one and the same fight. We
must connect the dots
between climate change,
water scarcity, energy shortag-
es, global health, food security
and women's empowerment.
Solutions to one problem must
be solutions for all.” - Ban
Ki-Moon.
At the heart of the 2022
International Women’s Day
successful BreakTheBias
campaign lies the tripartite
issues of Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion. These follow past
years events, each with
rebounding globalization,
localization (G-Local) and
s o c i o - p o l i ti c o - e c o n o m i c
effects. For this reason, advo-
cating for inclusion will remain
top priority because of its’
myriad benefits. While the
case isn’t peculiar for the
energy industry, it is of greater
consequence.
Why? Because the energy
industry accounts for nearly
half of global direct and
indirect labour market. Accord-
ing to the International Renew-
able Energy Agency (IRENA),
women are estimated to make
up about 22% of the traditional
energy and 32% of the renew-
ables’ workforce. With women
making up only 1% of global
CEO positions, expectedly, the
number of women in leader-
ship positions in this industry is
abysmally low.
Why is DE&I Important?
DE&I actions are extremely
important because decision
making benefits more from the
strength of recognized diverse
perspectives.
Diversity is about differences,
Equity is about providing equal
access, and Inclusion is about
fostering a sense of value and
empowerment.
Research have shown that
diverse workforces are better
for innovation, result in happi-
er and more productive
employees, and increase
retention levels.
It is also proven that organiza-
tions that embrace diversity
and inclusion outperform their
competition by more than an
average.
With the ongoing energy
transition and Industry evolu-
tion, embracing DE&I is vital to
the survival of future thinking
energy organizations. Especial-
ly those seeking to efficiently
navigate, profitable and
sustainably outperform in the
short-, mid- and long-term
scale. Additionally, there are
endless moral, political, and
strategic opportunities that
social changes through gender
equality will yield for high-level
national growth.
Representation Matters
There is an urgency building as
organizations continue to
search for solutions to make
the shift to harness the bene-
fits of diversity and inclusion.
Strengthening gender diversity
requires long-term efforts to
boost inclusion in an industry
known for its huge challenges
in retaining talented female
staff. While improving the
number of females entering
STEM programmes may solve
the long-term supply side,
what the industry needs to do
right now is to actively support
women to progress past the
experience hump as soon as
they are qualified.
Female in the energy sector
must say no to growing mento-
ring fatigue and start to seek
active representation through
sponsorship and job leverages.
Every female and Industry
leaders can work through their
organizational and personal
bureaucracy to achieve a
gender balanced hiring, devel-
opment, and succession
recruitment process.
Diversity is a market-based
issue. It’s about understanding
the markets, which are diverse
and multicultural. Each organi-
zation must seek to have its’
operating market(s) well repre-
sented on her decision and
execution team.
Changing Stereotypes |
Measuring Progress
Organizations must shift
mind-sets and address harmful
cultural stereotypes about job
roles and advancement oppor-
tunities that hold women back
across the talent pipeline. If
the number one reason for
candidate in the Energy indus-
try to turn down an employ-
ment opportunity is poor
reputation for Health & Safety,
then Gender Equity must
become second place.
DE&I requires a significant
philosophical and cultural shift,
from a long tradition of
minimizing differences to
amplifying them and to seizing
on the business opportunities
they present. It is also import-
ant to continually support
organizations who are
challenged by this shift,
because change can be hard.
Currently there is a lack of
credible comparable data on
gender trends in the sector,
hence developing data indica-
tors for existing issues is a
place to start from because
only “what gets measured,
gets done.” Setting quantita-
tive objective and dates helps
focus effort.
To become a well-diversified
organization, key metrics
should include:
Integrating gender diversity
into organizational strategy,
Implementing energy efficien-
cy policies with a balanced
workforce,
Prioritizing a people-centered
energy transition, as well as
Regular analysis of various
gender dimensions
Future Forward
Creating gender equity is
everyone’s responsibility and it
should be embraced as a politi-
cal cause. Paul Wellstone puts
it perfectly here “Politics is
about the improvement of
people's lives. It's about
advancing the cause of peace
and justice in our country and
the world. Politics is about
doing well for the people.”
As we continue to deepen this
DE&I culture, the energy indus-
try must recognize that gender
equity will play a huge role in
reducing the gap of energy
access and affordability across
economies. The pressure of a
green(er) agenda for fossil
fuels continue to have global
impact amidst local demand of
rising energy cost and environ-
mental impact of climate
change.
The industry is at the forefront
to proffer solutions to these
challenges and can only solve
them by ensuring all communi-
ties and demographics are
engaged and given the right
opportunities to participate.
The diversity, Inclusion and
Equity agenda isn’t about
cliches, numbers, litigation or
call-out. It is about the right
empowerment and advocacy
for all stakeholders.
Riding on the back of 2022
International Women’s Day
engagements, you have been
empowered to torch the
forest. Go ahead, be a worthy
DE&I ambassador.
By Tunbosun Afolayan | For WIME Doyenne
Magazine | Mar 2022
Tunbosun Afolayan is a Strategy,
Energy Sustainability, & Communica-
tions Expert with over 18years
experience in international Oil & Gas,
Financial services & Solid Minerals
Mining industries.
She holds Post graduate degrees in
Geosciences, Business Management,
Entrepreneurship & Leadership, and
Energy & Sustainability.
She is the current Publicity Secretary
of the Nigerian Association of
Petroleum Explorationists and sits on
other professional boards.
She is reachable via: https://ww-
w.linkedin.com/in/tunbosun-afo-
layan
Margaret Nkem
Orakwusi, ESQ

Aisha Ali-Ibrahim

Funke Agbor, SAN

Dorothy Ufot, SAN

Rollens Macfoy
Despite global efforts, gender
inequality is an issue that
persists. This is because,
certain institutional, religious
and cultural factors continue to
play a negative role in the
growth and progress of women
and girls. This has led to limited
opportunities for women and
girls to build the skills and
confidence needed to reach
their full potential, or to
influence decisions that affect
their lives. This despite the
unarguable fact that women
play an important role in
economic growth and develop-
ment of any nation.
Interestingly, in the Maritime
sector, women’s participation
in this historically male domi-
nated industry has seen
improvement through a
concerted effort to help the
industry move forward and
support women to achieve a
representation that is in
keeping with twenty-first
century expectations.
This is possible with the
groundbreaking achievements
and exemplary leadership of
certain women in the industry
over the years.
Meet some of the women
billed to be celebrated at the
Inaugural edition of the
Women in Maritime & Energy
Awards in Lagos, Nigeria.
These women who swell its
ranks across several facets of
the Maritime industry will be
honored and celebrated at the
inaugural edition of Women in
Maritime and Energy Awards.
Meet these “Amazing
Amazons” that keep the
wheels of the behemoth called
Nigeria’s maritime industry
with their excellent contribu-
tions.
Margaret Nkem Orakwusi, ESQ
Mrs. Margaret Nkem Orakwusi
is a legal professional with 36
years’ experience in various
areas of the Law.
A foremost maritime lawyer
with significant entrepreneur-
ial presence as investor and
operator in the Nigerian
maritime sector.
She is Founder and Principal
Partner of MARGARET
ONYEMA & CO. and UPTOWN
SOLICITORS Law Firms; and
Founding Partner, Consolidat-
ed Law Practice. An astute and
versatile Lawyer, she has many
high-profile personalities and
blue-chip clientele base and
handles a wide range of admi-
ralty and maritime cases.
As an entrepreneur, she is the
founder and Chief Executive
Officer of the MORBOD
GROUP; which engages in deep
sea shrimping and fish trawling
with her own vessels, fish
exportation/importation and
sea food processing, fish
farms, water transportation/l-
ogistics (Morbod Ferries,
Barging, Shipping and Ship
repair).
Mrs. Orakwusi was the first
Female President (and current-
ly a Council member) of Nigeri-
an Trawler Owners Association
(NITOA) – an association of
registered industrial fishing
companies in Nigeria.
A vocal and strong advocate of
maritime safety and security,
Mrs. Orakwusi’s advocacy for
maritime safety and security
has earned her recognition and
awards at local and interna-
tional spheres.
Mrs. Orakwusi has featured in
numerous national and
international radio, televi-
sion,newspapers and maga-
zines articles and interviews
including BBC, CNBC Africa,
NTA, CHANNELS, TVC etc. on
her activities in the maritime
sector. She has also attended
many national and internation-
al trainings, workshops,
seminars and conferences.
At the Inaugural edition of the
Women in Maritime & Energy
Awards, Mrs Orakwusi will be
presented with the Trailblazer
in Maritime Excellence Award.
Aisha Ali-Ibrahim
Aisha Ali-Ibrahim recently
retired from the civil service,
having clocked the age of 60.
However, she recorded many
successes during her active
days in the industry. She
became a global figure in the
transport and logistics indus-
try, and was the brain behind
the Women in Logistics and
Transport— a platform of the
Chartered Institute of Logistics
and Transport, which she
founded and has expanded to
several countries across the
world.
Many women in the maritime
industry have stated that they
were inspired by her to join the
sector, which has always been
male-dominated.
At different times, she was
Traffic Manager at both the
Lagos Port Complex and Tin
Can Island Port. She later
became the Port Manager of
LPC, the premier port, before
being appointed as the Gener-
al Manager, Marine and Opera-
tions, at the headquarters of
the organization.
After her retirement, she went
into private practice, still
within the maritime sector. Her
company, Confluence Logistics
and Transport Consults Limited
is also a reputable player in the
industry.
At the Inaugural edition of the
Women in Maritime & Energy
Awards, Mrs Ibrahim will be
presented with the Award for
Outstanding Woman in
Maritime – Transport & Logis-
tics
Funke Agbor, SAN
Senior partner Funke Agbor is
the head of the shipping and
dispute resolution group at
Dentons ACAS-Law in Lagos.
She is active in oil and gas
sector work, as well as in the
maritime and agricultural
industries.
She is well versed in both
commercial litigation and
arbitration. A past President of
Women’s International
Shipping and Trading Associa-
tion (WISTA), Nigeria, Mrs
Funke Agbor, is a new Senior
Advocate of Nigeria.
Called to the Nigerian bar in
1982, she is the first female
maritime lawyer in the country
to become a Senior Advocate
of Nigeria (SAN).
Agbor’s active participation in the
development and formulation of
maritime policies in Nigeria has
contributed to her acknowledge-
ment as an authority in the industry.
The first female President of the
Nigerian Maritime Law Association
(NMLA) is a CEDR Accredited Medi-
ator and Fellow and Chartered
Institute of Arbitration UK, Nigeria
Branch (FCIArb).
At the Inaugural edition of the
Women in Maritime & Energy
Awards, Mrs Agbor will be present-
ed with the Award for Outstanding
Woman in Maritime – Legal.
Dorothy Ufot, SAN
Mrs. Dorothy Udeme Ufot, SAN is
the founding and Managing Partner
of Dorothy Ufot & Co, a leading law
firm in Nigeria where she heads the
International Arbitration and Litiga-
tion departments of the firm.
Dorothy is a Fellow of the Chartered
Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and a
Chartered Arbitrator. She is an
immediate past Member of the ICC
International Court of Arbitration in
Paris (2006-June 2018).
Dorothy is on the panel of arbitra-
tors of the AAA/ICDR, ICSID, ICC,
KCAB International, CIArb, HKIAC,
DIAC, SIAC, AIAC, BAC/BIAC, EDAC
and the Energy Arbitrators' List.
Dorothy is recommended as a
leading expert in WWL: Commercial
Arbitration (2009 to 2020). African
Arbitrator of the Year 2020.
Dorothy is a former council member
of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and
also served as non-executive direc-
tor of Chevron Oil Nigeria PLC and
MRS Oil Nigeria PLC. Dorothy was
appointed to the Board of Dangote
Cement PLC as its first female non-
executive Director in April 2016 and
she also serves on the Board of S O
& U Limited as a non-executive
Director.
Mrs. Dorothy Ufot will be presented
with the Award for Outstanding
Woman in Energy & Maritime
Arbitrations at the inaugural edition
of the Women in Maritime & Energy
Awards.
Rollens Macfoy
A seasoned Maritime Administrator,
specialist in Cabotage and Maritime
Labour Mediation, A UK trained
Professional in Crewing and
Manning, Expert in Maritime
Security & Administration and a
hand tested on several multi –
national Oil & Gas and shipping
companies respectively as well as
on government assignments and
projects in Nigeria and Africa at
large.

She is the first Nigerian woman to

own a crewing & manning company
and a maritime institution and she
is a member of Maritime Arbitrators
of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of
Management, Chartered Institute
of Administrators, Women in
International Shipping & Trading
(Nigerian Chapter) and a fellow of
the Nigerian Institute of Shipping.

Macfoy is the Executive Director of

Ocean Deep Services and Limited
and the President of Women In
Maritime Africa (Nigeria Chapter).

Dr. Ibilola Amao:
‘I believe in gender
diversity, not gender
equality’
Dr. Ibilola Amao is the Principal
Consultant at Lonadek Global
Services, a multi-award-winning,
women-owned company that
builds capacity, capability and
competence of STEM talent to
deliver value in the energy, power,
infrastructure, manufacturing, oil
and gas sectors.
Since inception, over 5,000
Engineers have been trained, along-
side a Corporate Social Responsibil-
ity (CSR) project that has counselled
and empowered over 100,000
STEM Talents. A fellow of the
Institute of Directors (IoD) and a
Co-Founder of the Women In
Energy Network (WIEN), Ibilola sits
on the board of other STEM
focused firms. She is a Fellow of the
Energy Institute (EI), a member of
the EI Council and as well sits on the
International Petroleum (IP) Week
Board.
She is equally on the panel of
judges for the Royal Academy of
Engineering United Kingdom (UK)
Africa Prize and a member of the
Nigerian Society of Engineers. A
Vital Voices VV GROW, VV100, GAP
2017 fellow and WeConnect
International certified member, she
spoke with MARIA DIAMOND about
her pay forward for national devel-
opment and socio-economic trans-
formation, her empowerment
programmes and investment in
Girls in STEM and Women in Entre-
preneurship.
Could you take us through your
background and how it influenced
what you do today?
I WAS born in Lagos, into the
Onadeko Royal Family of Isara
Remo-North, Ogun State, almost six
decades ago. My late father, HRH
Oba Adebayo Idowu Onadeko was a
Civil Engineer who encouraged my
uniqueness from childhood.
I was allowed to do what would
normally be considered unladylike.
Interestingly, I was more
outdoor-oriented as a child than I
am now. Riding bicycles, climbing
trees, catching grasshoppers or
butterflies, planting corn, beans,
tomatoes, yam, sweet potatoes,
etc, were my favourite pastimes.
Then, I graduated to lego, cross-
word puzzles, spot the difference
and others.
My ability to stretch my mind
indoor much later in life has shaped
my love for solving all manner of
problems. My mother is still alive; I
have four wonderful sisters, a
brother, a caring husband, and
three loving young adult children. I
am an alumnus of Lagos University
Staff School, Akoka, Queens School
Ibadan, Friends School Saffron
Walden, United Kingdom, the
Queen Mary College University of
London where I bagged a First-Class
honour in Civil and Structural
Engineering at age 20 years, then
the University of Bradford where I
completed my Doctorate in
Computer-Aided Design and
Draughting at age 23.
All these were achieved with a lot
of family support and encourage-
ment. Without the God factor, my
maternal grandmother, my parents,
and family support, it would have
been impossible.
As a Co-Founder of the Women In Energy
Network (WIEN), what is the
objective of the organisation?
WIEN is an association established in 2020 to
provide a platform for Women
that work across the Energy Industry value
chain to network and build confidence and
links to progress their careers or businesses. It
is a place where women are a majority in the
dynamics of gender diversity in the energy
value
chain.
Patricia Simon-Hart, Funmi Ogbue, and I
co-founded WIEN in January 2020, just before
the pandemic hit. WIEN has achieved so much
due to the resources pulled together by the
highly esteemed founding members, Board of
Trustees, and Directors in order to create a
platform that encourages women to be the
best that we can be.
Tell us about your firm, STEM Specialist and Entrepreneur, what
exactly is it about?
It is impossible to deploy technologies without empowering
the right talent when there are skill gaps. So, what we do is
transform local talent into global citizens through obtaining
skills to deploy state-of-the-art technologies. We guide
people and enterprises to become the best that they can be.
We align people, technology, engineering solutions, and
services to create value for the society. We are known more
for training, capacity, capability, competence and skills devel-
opment.
We partner and collaborate to achieve goals in a win-win
manner. Our Girls in STEM and Human Capital Development
Initiatives (HCDIs) focus on delivering diversity, sustainability,
and ESG compliance. Our Jobs of the Future solutions enable
our clients to optimise talent through remote and virtual
services that allow certified professionals to Work From
Home (WFH) and Work From Anywhere (WFA).
We have been privileged to work with Bechtel, Foster Wheel-
er, KBR, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF),
Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board
(NCDMB), Chevron, ExxonMobil, General Electric, Addax
Petroleum, and other organisations on local content initia-
tives, as well as Human Capital Development Initiatives
(HCDIs) resulting from skills gaps.
You’re also the principal consultant of women-owned organisa-
tion, Lonadek Global Services. Could you tell us about it?
Lonadek provides Engineering Technology Solutions to
increase productivity, enhance performance and profitability.
These digital solutions can be applied from conceptual
engineering, front-end engineering, detailed engineering,
procurement, construction, fabrication, commissioning,
operation, maintenance, and decommissioning phases.
Furthermore, to be globally competitive, the technologies are
applied in the energy, power, infrastructure, manufacturing,
and oil & gas sectors. Over the past 30 years, we have
built a track record of transforming lives, organisations, and
communities through our STEM-focused innovative solutions
in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
As a professional who sits on the Board of STEM
focused firms, are there special provisions for girls or Interview - Ibilola Amao
women in STEM?
Through the 15-year Vision 2020 Youth Empower- ties to all these responsibilities. So, it is an established fact that women have
ment and Restoration Initiative (YERI), established in unparalleled peculiarities in all ramifications of life.
May 2006, Lonadek has empowered over One
hundred thousand (100,000) youths in Senior Second- As a professional in the field, why do you think girls naturally shy away from
ary Schools and Tertiary Institutions with the support STEM?
of donors across the private and public sectors. Girls would naturally shy away from STEM because it is male-dominated; they
don’t have enough information on attractive careers for women, and not
We are passionate about improving gender support enough effort is being put into making girls feel more comfortable venturing
systems and creating more opportunities for girls and into STEM. Other reasons for STEM being unpopular with girls and women
women. We are grateful to Vital Voices, IWEC, and are: parental influence, lack of exposure and understanding, STEM teachers
WEConnect who have supported our girls in STEM and career counselors are primarily male; adverts and external communica-
advocacy programmes over the years. tions do not promote women appropriately in male-dominated sectors.
Cultural messaging is that the crown of marriage is an ultimate aspiration for
Apart from working through Lonadek Global Services, women and men cannot love a technically oriented woman like they will love
with respect to Girls in STEM activities, I give my time a bimbo. These are just a few of the myths that I have encountered.
with the Association for Professional Women in
Engineering (APWEN), Commonwealth Business Tell us about your upcoming projects for the girl child and women. What are
Network Nigeria (CBWN), Women in Business (Wim- the thematic preoccupations of these initiatives?
Biz), and the Energy Industry Council (EIC) and WIEN
We are focused on Girls in STEM initiatives that would deliver at least 40 per
where we are executing value-adding initiatives to
cent female participation in all our Engineering Technology and Information
improve women’s representation in engineering,
Management programmes. We run drone, robotics, 2D and 3D modelling
energy, and entrepreneurship.
with cloud practitioner training that enable girls to play in male-dominated
sectors. We match girls with mentors, coaches, offer them internships,
Also, with the Nigerian Content Developing and Moni-
apprenticeships, opportunities. We have a Facebook group for women and
toring Board (NCDMB) and the Nigerian Content
girls in STEM Africa that provides regular updates on scholarships, funding,
Consultative Forum (NCCF) Diversity Sectoral working
grants, and opportunities across the globe. We work tirelessly with WECon-
group, I am contributing my quota to develop Girls in
nect, Vital Voices, IWEC and Energy Industry Council (EIC) to expose more
STEM initiatives. We need to put in place routes to
women, and girls to STEM opportunities.
improve diversity in male- dominated sectors.
Lonadek is proud to be at the forefront of providing
More women seem to be abandoning white-collar jobs for entrepreneurship,
women and girls in STEM with on-the-job projects and
what do you think is responsible for this trend?
industry exposure. Since COVID-19 pandemic,
Lonadek talents have delivered virtual and remote Work-life balance is a very key reason why this is becoming more rampant.
services, Working From Home (WFH) and Working Poor infrastructure, logistics of traveling, moral standards of home support
From Anywhere (WFA). professionals, mental health and so many other reasons make it a wise
choice. Most especially, when you take time out to have babies, reintegration
Do you find it challenging grooming girls in STEM? into the workforce is sometimes a huge challenge.
Not at all, we have done this strategically in our
I went into the tailoring business for two years when I had my first two
business, CSR and social impact initiatives for 30
children back-to-back decades ago. There was no way that I could have
years. I was a girl in STEM, so I am well suited to help
performed effectively while mothering two toddlers then. Women need to
the next generation overcome the barriers that I was
know which battles to pick if they want to win a war. The odds would always
confronted with in my career.
be stacked against us in a male-dominated sector. We need male allies and
‘HeForShes’ to help us navigate through these minefields. I am grateful to my
Can you give an estimated statistics of Girls in STEM in
family, husband, and children for their support. Entrepreneurship always
Nigeria?
offers a soft landing, so this is why at Lonadek Global Services, we are always
Through our collaborative Human Capital Develop- promoting STEMpreneurship, TECHpreneurship, and INTRApreneurship, so
ment Initiatives (HCDIs) with Microsoft, LinkedIn, that women stand a better chance in their careers.
GitHub and AWS, we have improved diversity in STEM
Talent representation from less than 10 per cent to 42 In your view, what are those common challenges women entrepreneurs face,
per cent. Women and girls invest at least between 50 and how do you think they can strike a balance?
– 85 per cent of their free time on family, home and
Perception, the old boys’ network, culture, and tradition will always be a
domestic-related matters. These hours are usually
challenge. I also remember when I was much younger, my male colleagues
unpaid, undervalued, and sometimes unappreciated.
had to convince their girlfriends or wives that I was just another colleague
The adage that girls must be seen and not heard has
with no interest at all in pursuing a romantic relationship with them. Some of
formed a superiority complex in the minds of boys
the staff bus drivers at NETCO had spoken to their wives on my behalf that I
and consequently, a lot of men wonder why women
was a very focused woman whose priority outside family was her laptop and
speak up or want to have a voice these days. There is
Engineering Technology.
no scientific evidence that the brain of a woman or
girl is inferior to that of the other gender. There is
Balancing my travels with raising morally upright children was another
some evidence that women are better at multitasking
challenge. Many times, my parents and siblings had to step in to manage my
than their male counterparts, as they are wired to
house help while I was away on an official trip. I would forever be grateful to
take charge of multiple responsibilities in parallel. A
my husband who trusted my judgment and my family that took charge when
woman is a mother, wife, homemaker and most times
I was not around.
bolts on her career, business, or extracurricular activi-
What’s your take on gender equality in Nigeria? Do you
think women have it all the way or they still have to take
the bull by the horns if they must be heard, acknowledged
and represented?
I do not believe in gender equality, I believe in gender
diversity; we complement each other. I would never
want to be a man and I was raised never to feel inferior
to any species, whatever the diversity concerns are.

With gender diversity, we still need to earn the respec

that may be handed to our male counterpart on a platter
of Gold. Sometimes, people in the older generation,
through their body language, would refuse to register or
accept what you have said until they hear it from anoth-
er man. These days, I ensure I am heard loud and clear
enough for the chairman to give me the floors that the
next speaker (male or female) has to take their turn.

Are there challenges you encounter in your field that you

feel could have been easier if you were a man? In
Nigeria, I have earned my respect over the years. Global-
ly, I am paying my dues. I believe that we need to find our
areas of core competence and passion then focus on
value creation. We cannot be all things to all people, so
we do the best we can in order to leave our footprints in
the sands of time.

As a core capacity builder, what message of hope are you

putting out there?
Teamwork, soft skills, and social interaction are just as
important as job competence. As you rise higher in the
Executive ladder, we must pay closer attention to what is
not being said and how to get the best for key stakehold-
ers. We need to improve on our emotional, curiosity,
adversity, openness, cultural and decency quotient to
succeed.

Most times, in a male-dominated space, there may not

be a woman in the room to let you in, so a male ally,
mentor, HeForShe may be the only choice you have to
break your next barrier. Women need to handhold and
support each other as much as they can to accelerate
growth. If you are the only woman or minority in the
room, then you have a lot of work to do to get others in.

Dr.
Ibilola
Amao
 Audrey Joe-Ezigbo Godrey Ogbechie Alero Onosode Dr. Dunni Owo

Funmi Ogbue Olajumoke Ajayi Adedoja Ojelabi Dr. Cecilia Umoren Amina Maina

Engr Stella Okene Yetunde Taiwo Oghogho Effiom Chief Mrs. Lande Abudu
Anita Okuribido

Mervin Azeta Tunbosun Afolayan

Women represent the biggest
emerging market opportunity and it
is imperative to build an infrastruc-
ture that enables them to succeed.
In the energy sector in Nigeria and
Africa, women are displaying
exemplary leadership in the various
value chain of the energy sector.
These women not only represent a
more inclusive workforce, but
advocate for increased female
involvement in the sector. They are
inspiring examples of what women
can achieve and contribute to the
African energy sector and global
sector as whole.
To honor women at the forefront of
scaling business results in energy,
The Women in Maritime & Energy
Awards share profiles of women who
are shinning their light in the sector
and breaking the bias ranging from
Female CEO’s, engineers, change-
makers, entrepreneurs, trainers,
among others.
Meet these brilliant women etching
their names in the sands of time in
the Energy sector.
Elohor Aiboni
Elohor Aiboni is a Nigerian chemical
engineer who was recently appoint-
ed the first female managing director
of Shell Nigeria Exploration and
Production Company Limited,
SNEPCO.
Born on July 4 in Benin City, Edo
State, started her career as a Team
Leader for the Obigbo Oil and Gas
field for the Shell Nigeria Exploration
and Production Company Limited,
SNEPCO in 2008.
In 2009, she became the Business
Analyst to the Executive Vice
President of the Sub Saharan Africa,
Shell Africa.
In October 2011, Elohor Alboni
became the Senior PtA Engineer for
Agip KCO in Atyrau, Kazakhstan.
Elohor Alboni was the operational
and handover manager onshore for
Shell from 2014 to 2015.
In 2015, Elohor Alboni became the
operational manager of Shell Nigeria
Exploration and Production Compa-
ny Limited, SNEPCO.
Prior to her appointment as the
Managing Director of the Shell
Nigeria Exploration and Production
Company Limited, SNEPCO, she was
the Asset Manager, Shell Nigeria
Exploration and Production Compa-
ny Limited, SNEPCO.
Aiboni has many firsts to her credit —
from being the first female asset
operations manager in SNEPCo to
being the company’s first female MD.
As asset operations manager, Aiboni
was responsible for providing leader-
ship in health, safety and environ-
ment (HSE), operational excellence
and overall asset management of the
Bonga deepwater floating produc-
tion, storage and offloading (FPSO)
vessel operated by Shell in Nigeria.
Under her leadership, the Bonga
asset received numerous awards,
including the CEO HSSE Awards,
Upstream Impact Award, and the
Asset of the Year Runner up in 2019,
in the Shell Group.
In her LinkedIn profile, Aiboni
describes herself as “self-motivated
with great ability to work easily
without supervision. Result-oriented
showing a sense of urgency and can
challenge positively. Very good
communicator with strong sense of
business priorities.”
At the Women in Maritime & Energy
Awards, Mrs. Aiboni will be honored
with the honorary “Trailblazer in
Energy Excellence Award”.
Audrey Joe-Ezigbo
A seasoned entrepreneur of over 27
years, Audrey is the Deputy Manag-
ing Director of Falcon Corporation
Limited- a leading wholly indigenous
midstream and downstream Energy,
Gas Distribution & Trading company
which she co-founded with her
husband in 1994.
An accomplished professional,
Audrey holds several Masters’
degrees in Finance, Marketing and
Business Administration from the
Lagos Business School, University of
Nigeria, and Nnamdi Azikiwe Univer-
sity. She also holds several executive
certifications in Management,
Leadership and Governance from
Harvard Business School, IE Business
School, IESE Business School and the
WIMBOARD Institute.
Audrey is the immediate past
President (2019-2021) of the Nigeri-
an Gas Association (NGA) - the
umbrella association and voice for
businesses and professionals
involved in the Nigerian Gas industry.
She is the first woman to have
occupied the position of NGA
President in the Association’s 22-year
history. She currently still sits on the
NGA council as an ex-Officio
member.
Prior to her presidency, Audrey was
on the NGA council for over thirteen
years, serving in various capacities as
an ex-Officio member, Second
Vice-President, and First Vice
President. A seasoned energy expert,
Audrey is a Fellow of the Energy
Institute UK (FEI), the global body for
energy experts.
She is a founding member of Women
in Energy Network (WiEN) where she
also sits on the WiEN Gas Subcom-
mittee. She is a member and global
role model for Women in LPG
(WiNLPG) Nigeria chapter; and a
member of the Nigeria Content
Development & Monitoring Board
(NCDMB) NCCF Diversity Sectoral
Group.
She is a member of the Institute of
Directors (IoD) where she serves as
Vice-chairperson of the Institute’s
Energy & Power committee. Audrey
sits on the Advisory Board of the
Lagos Business School, Pan Atlantic
University. She is also a member of
the Advisory Board of the Enterprise
Development Center (EDC), also of
the Pan Atlantic University (PAU).
She sits on the Executive Council of
Women in Management, Business &
Public Service (WIMBIZ). She is the
immediate past Chairperson, Wimbiz
Capital Committee (WIMCAP) and
immediate past Chairperson, Wimbiz
Programs & Membership
Committee. She is a Board Mentor
with the WIMBOARD Institute, a
WIMBIZ platform which equips
women in senior and executive
management positions with the skills
required to effectively serve on
corporate Boards.
Audrey is a Certified Transformative
Coach and member of the Interna-
tional Coach Federation (Global and
Nigeria chapters). She is the Founder
and Promoter of The Barnabas
Widows Empowerment Foundation
and the Founder & Promoter of The
Double Impact Platform, a business
training and relationship building
foundation for Entrepreneurial
Couples in business together.
Audrey is a speaker on various
international platforms, including
TEDx. A transformational business
leader, she has won several awards
for her contributions to building
entrepreneurial capacity in the
industry and Nigeria at large, includ-
ing the prestigious Ernst & Young
Entrepreneur of the Year West Africa
2014 Award and the Lagos Business
School (Pan Atlantic University)
Distinguished Alumni Award 2018.
She is a prolific writer, blogger, and
author with four published books.
She was recognized as one of Leading
Ladies Africa 100 Most Inspiring
Women in Nigeria 2019 and listed on
the 2021 PowerWoman 100 list in
the Oil & Gas category. She is married
to her Chief Encouragement Officer
Joe and a mother to four amazing
young adults.
At the Women in Maritime & Energy
Awards, Mrs. Audrey will be honored
with the honorary “Trailblazer in
Energy Excellence Award”.
Godrey Ogbechie
Mrs. Godrey Ogbechie oversees the
Group Corporate Support Services at
Rainoil Limited, which includes
Human Resources, Information
Technology, Admin and Facilities
Management and Audit.
She is a 1988 graduate of Agricultural
Economics and Extension from the
University of Calabar, Nigeria. She
also holds a Master’s Degree in
Business Administration. She has
extensive banking experience,
spanning over 19 years. Her experi-
ence cuts across Human Resource
Management, Operations Manage-
ment, Customer Service/Relation-
ship Management, Audit Operations
Prior to joining Rainoil Limited, she
worked with Universal Trust Bank
Limited and Fidelity Bank Plc., where
she managed high profile projects
both within and outside the country.
Godrey joined Rainoil Limited in
2009 as an Executive Director. She
has driven the establishment of
systems and controls across the
Group operations. She has been
instrumental to growing the
business. Godrey is actively involved
in several social welfare and humani-
tarian initiatives.
She is an Associate Member of
Women in Management, Business
and Public Service (WIMBIZ), a
non-profit organization formed
focused on building leadership and
networking among women in the
workplace and in business. She also
oversees the Corporate Social
Responsibility initiatives for the
Rainoil Group. She has attended
several management courses locally
and abroad. She is also an alumnus of
the Lagos Business School Senior
Management Programme (SMP).
She is married to Dr. Gabriel
Ogbechie and they are blessed with
three children.
At the Women in Maritime & Energy
Awards, Mrs. Ogbechie will be
honored with the honorary “Trail-
blazer in Energy Excellence Award”.
Alero Onosode
Alero Onosode is a seasoned Human
Resources Executive with global
experience in Leadership and Human
Capital Development. She has had a
varied HR career with an almost
equal split between generalist and
specialist roles covering Industrial
Relations, HR Services, Policy Devel-
opment and Organization Effective-
ness. She is currently the General
Manager, Human Resources in Seplat
Petroleum Development Company
Plc.
She previously worked with Shell in
various HR roles and also was the
venture Integration Risk Manager
responsible for the integration of
non-technical risks in project promis-
es. Alero holds a Bachelor of Arts in
English and an MBA from the London
Business School. As an expert in
Human Capital Development, Alero
has the responsibility for leading,
defining and managing the Seplat
Human Resources Strategy and the
delivery of Seplat’s Strategic business
objectives through a highly skilled
and well-motivated workforce.
Alero is an outstanding professional
with over 30 years’ experience in the
Oil & Gas industry. She is a Fellow of
Chartered Institute of Personnel
Management (CIPM), Fellow of
Chartered Institute of Personnel
Department (CIPD) UK. and a subject
matter expert. Mrs. Onosode
overseer as Chairman – The Diversity
Sectoral Working Group (SWG) in the
Nigerian Content Consultative Forum
established by the Nigerian Content
Development & Monitoring Board
(NCDMB).
At the Women in Maritime & Energy
Awards, Mrs. Onosode will be
honored with the honorary “Trail-
blazer in Energy Excellence Award”.
Dr. Dunni Owo
Dr. Dunni is a Management Consul-
tant, Serial Entrepreneur, Interna-
tional Corporate Speaker, Coach and
Trainer. A versatile business expert
with over 2 decades of vast profes-
sional experience spanning; Energy,
Oil and Gas industry – Upstream,
Midstream and Downstream experi-
ence, Educational Industry –Nursery,
Primary, Secondary levels and
Professional capacity building.
Agricultural Industry – Enhancing the
Coconut value chain for National
wealth and Development. Finance
Industry –Investment banking,
project and developmental fiancé
advisory. Project Management, Event
Management and Strategic Media –
Facilitated several business project
(Private and Public sector) , anchored
several conferences, seminars,
workshops, trainings and inductions
programme for organisations across
several countries.
Dr. Oladunni Owo is currently The
National President, Women in
Energy Oil and Gas (WEOG) Nigeria.
An award-winning advisory council
leader of the Global Women
Economic Forum (WEF), UK Chapter.
Assistant Country Coordinator, Total
Women Experience (TWE) Canada,
Nigeria Chapter. Director, Women’s
School of Business and Leadership
(WSBL), Nigeria. Member, Women’s
Energy Network (WEN) US. Member,
Global Women Network for Energy
transition (GWNET), Austria.
Member, Organization of Women in
International trade (OWIT), US
Chapter Director, Women’s School of
Business and Leadership (WSBL),
Nigeria. President Member – Associ-
ation of Nigerian Women Business
Network (ANWBN). Amongst others.
At the Women in Maritime & Energy
Awards, she will be conferred with
the Trailblazer in Energy Excellence
Award.
Funmi Olaseinde Ogbue
Recently awarded "Woman in Energy
2022" at the Nigerian International
Energy Summit (NIES), Funmi Ogbue
is the founder and Managing
Director of Zigma Limited.
After decades working with multina-
tional organisations in the oil and gas
sector including Abacan, Nexen and
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Produc-
tion Company Limited (SNEPCO), she
established Zigma - a leading
petroleum and petrochemical
company in Africa providing cost-sav-
ing and value-adding solutions to the
petroleum and energy industry in
support of African industrialization.
She is the president of Women in
Energy Network (WIEN), an associa-
tion dedicated to closing the gender
gap within the energy sector.
At the Women in Maritime & Energy
Awards, Mrs. Ogbue will be honored
with the Trailblazer in Energy
Excellence Award.
Olajumoke Cecilia Ajayi
Olajumoke Ajayi is the Managing
Director of Asharami Energy, the
upstream arm of Sahara Group, a
leading energy conglomerate with
operations in over 38 countries.
Olajumoke leads Asharami Energy’s
operations across Nigeria, Ghana,
and Ivory Coast.
Having successfully exhibited excep-
tional abilities in the oil and gas
industry for over two decades,
Olajumoke rose through the ranks to
become one of the first female
managing directors in the Nigerian
upstream industry. This is a remark-
able feat that makes her one of the
foremost practitioners in Africa’s oil
and gas sector. She holds a Bachelor’s
and a Master of Science degree in
Applied Geophysics, and started her
career with Mobil Producing Nigeria
Unlimited (ExxonMobil).
Before joining Sahara Group,
Olajumoke also worked in
Degeconek Consulting, Peak
Petroleum Limited, and Centrica
Resources Nig. Ltd (British Gas).
Having gathered technical experi-
ence in 2D/3D Seismic acquisition &
processing, land and onshore seismic
data interpretation, drilling, and
production, Olajumoke certainly has
a full grasp of the entire industry
operations. She has shown tremen-
dous capacity for leadership,
spearheading the exploration team
that successfully drilled and
delivered Asharami Energy's first 3
wells. As the managing director, she
has delivered and continues to
sustain the company’s first oil
production among other successes.
She is a member of the American
Association of Petroleum Geologists
(AAPG) and the Nigerian Association
of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE)
and she is a past Vice President of
NAPE, the first female to hold the
position in 40 years.
At the Women in Maritime & Energy
Awards, Mrs. Ajayi will be honored
with the Honorary “Outstanding
Woman in Energy – Upstream
International”.
Adedoja Rosamund Ojelabi
Mrs. Adedoja Rosamund Ojelabi,
FNMGS, FNAPE, graduated with a
B.Sc. in Geology and Mining (1988)
from the University of Jos and M.Sc.
in Petroleum Geology and Sedimen-
tology (1994) from the University of
Ibadan.
She is a Distinguished Alumna
Awardee of the UI Geology Depart-
ment and a member of the Associa-
tion of Ibadan University of Geolo-
gists (AIUG). She is a licensed geosci-
ence practitioner and a Board
Member of the Council of Nigerian
Mining Engineers and Geoscientists
(COMEG) representing the oil and
gas industry. She joined Chevron
Nigeria (CNL) in 1990 and has worked
extensively as a seismic interpreter,
processing geophysicist, opera-
tions/well-site geologist and regional
geologist/sequence stratigrapher
working on various projects from the
Shelf to the Deepwater.
She is currently the Manager,
Technology and Reservoir Manage-
ment Organizational Capability. In
addition to her technical work, she
collaborates in cross-functional
teams, including non-technical roles.
She has served as Board member for
CNL’s Employee Volunteer Program
(EVP) from 2012 and then as
Chairperson from 2017 to 2021.
Adedoja is a member and Fellow of
the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences
Society (NMGS). She received the
NMGS/VersaTech/Nwasike Award on
March 19, 2019, for her contribu-
tions to the development of young
geoscientists.
She became the first female
President of the Nigerian Association
of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE)
in 2014 after serving the association
on several committees/subcommit-
tees including the Executive Commit-
tee, NAPE Advisory Council, confer-
ence planning, PIB, editorial and
publications, conference themes,
pre-conference workshop, public
awareness, conference marketing
and website campaigns. She is a
Fellow of NAPE.
She is the current President of the
American Association of Petroleum
Geologists (AAPG) Africa Region,
having joined the association in 1995
and served in different roles on
Ad-hoc committees, IBA, House of
Delegates and Africa Region leader-
ship teams. She received the AAPG
Distinguished Service Award in 2012
for her exemplary service, especially
membership drive and facilitating
the Imperial Barrel Award (IBA)
program, which now includes univer-
sities from many African countries -
Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Moroc-
co, Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Uganda,
Algeria, Namibia and Egypt. She is an
AAPG Certified Petroleum Geologist
(CPG).
A strong advocate for professional
women, Adedoja successfully
convened the Women in Geoscienc-
es and Engineering (WiGE) network
in 2011 in Lagos. She is the current
Chairperson.
She devotes considerable time and
resources both professionally and
privately to groom young Nigerians.
She teaches Biology at secondary
schools and is a volunteer Mentor
and Coach for young professionals.
She sponsors students to various
courses, technical conferences and
field trips and awards grants and
scholarships for geosciences under-
graduate and postgraduate students.
In addition, she collaborates with
several secondary schools and
universities to provide infrastructure
and equipment such as sports
facilities, refurbished hostels, prizes
and scholarships, computers, micro-
scopes, books, (recently donating
inverter batteries to the University of
Ife Geology Dept. for their Seismolo-
gy/Earthquake Monitoring lab).
She was given the FGCL Ijanikin Old
Students’ Association Achievement
Award in December 2012 and contin-
ues to find ways to contribute
through Career Day presentations
and webinars for secondary schools.
Adedoja Ojelabi is married with
children. At the Women in Maritime
& Energy Awards, Mrs. Ojelabi will be
honored with the Honorary
“Outstanding Woman in Energy –
Upstream International”.
Dr. Cecilia Aqua Umoren
She was part of the group of profes-
sionals that set up Emerald Energy
Resources Limited, an indigenous Oil
and Gas Exploration and Production
company where she took up employ-
ment in 2001 as a foundation Execu-
tive Director after the company was
awarded an oil block through open
competitive bidding in 2000.
Mrs. Aqua-Umoren who has a Bache-
lor of Laws (LL.B) Degree from the
University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus,
BL from the Nigeria Law School,
Lagos and a Masters in Law (LL.M)
Degree from Southern Methodist
University, Dallas, Texas, USA, in
addition to Emerald Energy Resourc-
es Limited, sits on the Board of
Directors of Waltersmith Petroman
Oil Limited, Millenium Oil and Gas
Limited, Ventures and Trusts Limited
and SuperGeeks Limited.
Dr. Cecilia Aqua-Umoren is an accom-
plished Legal Practitioner, with over
30 years’ experience. She has attend-
ed several executive and managerial
courses and she is an alumnus of
Havard Business School’s Women’s
Leadership Forum. She is involved
with several charity organizations
and is a Past President of Internation-
al Women’s Society.
At the Women in Maritime & Energy
Awards, Dr. Cecilia will be honored
with the Honorary “Outstanding Seplat and the Nigerian Gas Compa- geology from the University of Benin generation, deployment and utiliza-
Woman in Energy – Upstream ny (NGC), which manages a $700Mil- in Nigeria. She also leads the Domes- tion of bio-energy for Sustainable
Indigenous”. lion midstream development that tic Gas Business Opportunity in Shell. Energy and Enhanced Agricultural
will monetize 300Million standard At the Women in Maritime & Energy Development. Chief (Mrs) Okuribido
Amina Maina cubic feet produced every day from Awards, she will be honored with the is the Founder of the Green Energy
Amina Maina oversees all trading, the Assa North /Ohaji South fields, Honorary Award for “Outstanding Institute, Nigeria, a new Initiative at
supply, and operations of the group’s straddling Shell operated Oil Mining Woman in Energy – Gas”. and in collaboration with NACCIMA
activities spanning over 6 countries, Lease (OML) 21 and Seplat operated Women Business Group, Women in
including Nigeria. She obtained a OML 53, onshore eastern Nigeria. Chief Mrs. Anita Nana Okuribido Renewable Energy Nigeria, Council
B.Sc in Business Administration from Known for her passion and zeal for Renewable Energy Nigeria and
the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, According to Africa Oil & Gas Report, towards promoting Renewable endorsed by the Ministry of Power,
Nigeria in 1998. She is currently the Taiwo took the AGPC job after three Energy and Green Alternatives, Chief Works, Housing and other MDAs. The
Group Chief Operating Officer of and half years as the first GM Gas (or Mrs. Anita Nana Okuribido, affection- Green Energy Institute has been
MRS Holdings Limited. Prior to Head of Gas Business as it is called), ately referred to as ‘Mama Renew- conceptualized to act as a Develop-
joining the MRS Group, she was an where she oversaw the development able’, has contributed immensely to mental Institution to enhance and
Executive Director / Vice President of of one of the fastest growing domes- the positive growth and utilization of upgrade skills acquisition, technical
Energy Solutions Integrated Services tic gas businesses in Nigeria. On her Renewable Energy in Nigeria. A knowhow and deployment of Green
Limited, Junior Crude Oil trader at watch, Seplat grew its operated gas strategic planner, implementer, Energy Devices and Components.
Aurora Energy Trading Limited, to production capacity from 300Million solutions provider, ideas developer At the Women in Maritime & Energy
mention a few. standard cubic feet per day and change agent, she is quite active Awards, she will be honored with the
(300MMscf/d) to 525MMscf/d. at the bottom of the pyramid with Honorary Award for “Outstanding
She was appointed to the Board of extensive interests in Agricultural Woman in Renewable Energy”.
the Company on November 6, 2013. As GM, her new role of superintend- development, Renewable Energy
Amina Maina is Board of Trustees ing the New Energy unit involves the Development and Sustainable Lande Abudu
Member at the Women in Energy increase of gas products to be mone- Applications for Natural/Green Lande Abudu is the Component Lead
Network (WiEN). tized in the form of LPG, CNG and Economic growth. for SHS on the World Bank-funded
At the Women in Maritime & Energy other gas derivatives, with opportu- Nigeria Electrification Projrct being
Awards, she will be honored with the nity framing in the renewable energy A robust and dynamic speaker, she is implemented by the Rural Electrifica-
Honorary “Outstanding Woman in space At the Women in Maritime & highly sought after for her practical tion Agency.
Energy – Downstrem” Award. Energy Awards, she will be honored experience and extensive support/- Her prior role was as the CEO of
with the Honorary Award for mentorship and consultancy for Renewable Energy Association of
Engr Stella Okene “Outstanding Woman in Energy – Clean Energy initiatives, start-ups Nigeria (REAN), an independent
Engr. Stella Okene (PhD) is a trained Gas”. and has spoken at multiple Renew- not-for-profit association of renew-
Petroleum Engineer and an inexora- able Energy fora; International, able energy professionals, project
ble business entrepreneur who runs Oghogho Effiom Regional and Local. Chief (Mrs) developers and practitioners.
Stelog Energy - an energy service Social media recently went abuzz Okuribido is the National President Before that she was heading market
company that renders exceptional when news broke out that a Nigerian of the Council for Renewable Energy development for West Africa at a
Formation Evaluation and Drilling female geologist, Mrs Oghogho Nigeria (CREN), a non-profit oriented leading multinational company,
Services in the oil and gas explora- Effiom has been elected as the member based association that providers of solar home systems to
tion/ production industry as well as African Regional Director of the serves as the Umbrella body for all off grid communities and on the
Gas commercialization, client asset Society for Petroleum Engineers – operators, stakeholders and interests Nigeria project team for the Beyond
development and Management. SPE International, which makes her in the Renewable Energy Industry in the Grid Initiative (in partnership
the voice of Africa on the SPE table Nigeria. She is the National President with the Federal Government) to
Her business, Stelog Energy which is globally. Oghogho has about 20 years of Women in Renewable Energy deploy PayGo solar home systems in
currently operating in full capacity in of technical experience in the Association (WIRE-A). rural off grid communities in 12
OML 40 comprise of an oil and gas Upstream oil and gas businesses with Nigerian States.
company; Stelog Gas Limited, Stelog assignments in Nigeria and the She is also a board member of the
Exploration and Production Compa- United States covering offshore Solar Energy Program of the BANK OF She is particularly passionate about
ny; as well as Trinicle Limited. Engr. drilling operations, reserves estima- Industry/United Nations Develop- the third sector and the role that it
Stella is a professional member of tion, field development and execu- ment Program since 2015 (SEP has can play in supporting government
SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) tion. commissioned over 40 off-grid Solar for Nigeria’s development.
and NAPE (Nigeria Association of Power plants for Rural Communities Ms Abudu is a European Energy
Petroleum Explorationists) and also Her current role involves project without access to Power). She is the Centre-accredited Renewable Energy
sits on the board several companies maturation, risk management, Vice President, South-West of Nigeri- Expert and a member of the Energy-
such as Villa Integrated Services technical integration, and stakehold- an Women Group (NAWORG) of the CPD Renewable Energy Profession-
Limited, Stelog Kenya, SSnerg er management. She is a senior National Association of Chambers of als.At the Women in Maritime &
Houston Texas, amongst others. production geologist, a 4D seismic Commerce, Industry, Mines and Energy Awards, she will be honored
interpretation subject matter expert Agriculture, NACCIMA; South-West with the Honorary Award for
At the Women in Maritime & Energy and a front-end development project Coordinator, Centre for International “Outstanding Woman in Renewable
Awards, she will be honored with the manager, currently working with Private Enterprise, CIPE-ANWBN; Energy”.
Honorary Award for “Outstanding Shell Companies in Nigeria leading Member, Solar Energy Society of
Woman in Energy – Oilfield Support, projects in both deep water and Nigeria. Mervin Azeta
EPC”. shallow offshore. She was the 2020 Mervin Azeta is an award-winning
chair of the SPE Lagos Section, As an entrepreneur, she is the CEO of Nigerian energy professional,
Yetunde Taiwo winning the 2020 Presidential Award Siman Engineering Ltd, a Renewable intersectional advocate, multi-talent-
Yetunde is the Vice President, Nigeria for the section. In 2019, she received Energy Company that focuses on ed engineer, and presidential scholar,
Gas Association & General Manager, the SPE African Regional Service Technology Development, that with over a decade of industry
New Energy - Seplat Energy. Award. develops and implements Clean and experience. She is currently a
She heads the New Energy portfolio Green Energy solutions focusing on Business Line Product & Service
in Africa’s largest homegrown E&P She served as chair of the 2018 Rural Empowerment, Establishment Delivery Manager, overseeing two
company, Seplat. Nigerian Annual International of Community Based Organizations business lines at Schlumberger,
The position comes with the compa- Conference and Exhibition, and the (CBOs), SME’s Development, Corpo- across Nigeria and West Africa.
ny’s Gas Business, which she had 2016 SPE Annual Technical Confer- rate and CSR Initiatives. While her
managed before, so it’s an expanded ence and Exhibition Soft Skills avowed passion is to midwife the She is an influencer and trailblazer,
portfolio. Taiwo was, until January Workshop on Strategic Planning. large-scale development of Renew- keenly passionate about sustainable
2021, the Chief Executive Officer of Oghogho holds a master’s degree in able Energy in Nigeria, developing development, gender equality, youth
the ANOH Gas Processing Company asset integrity management from women and youths while creating engagement as well as cultivating the
(AGPC), the incorporated Joint Robert Gordon University in opportunities and growing entrepre- next generation of (especially
Venture owned equally between Aberdeen and a bachelor’s degree in neurs; she is quite particular on female) scientists, technologists,
engineers, mathematicians and Industry Bill, Conference, Pre-confer-
transformative leaders. She serves ence workshop on Energy Transition,
on multiple boards inspiring a shared Society of Petroleum Engineers,
commitment to deliver a cleaner, Abuja Section Climate Change
healthier, secure and sustainable Mitigation panels, and the NAPE’S
energy future for all. Mervin holds a monthly business & technical
BEng, with First Class Honors, in meeting.
Chemical Engineering from the
University of Benin, as well as an These events are high ranking policy
MSc, with Distinction, in Sustainable shaping events with outcome
Energy Futures, from the Imperial communiques submitted to the
College London. Nigeria state for policy evaluation
At the Women in Maritime & Energy and inclusion.
Awards, she will be honored with the She sits on the executive team of
“Rising Woman in Energy Award”. Women in Geosciences & Engineer-
ing, NAPE & AAPG Africa Region. She
Tunbosun Afolayan oversees peer learning within the
Tunbosun Afolayan is a Strategy International Association of Business
& Energy Sustainability profes- Communicator, West Africa Interest
sional with +18years experience Group. She is a 2022 session co-chair
across the natural (Oil & Gas, Water on Sustainable Energy Development
and Solid Minerals) resources and Environmental Geoscience
management sectors, with a stint in theme at the International Meeting
the financial industry. She is the for Applied Geoscience & Energy
current publicity secretary of the (IMAGE) Conference.
Nigerian Association of Petroleum
Explorationists and first female PS in As a thought leader, she publishes
the association in the 46 years of and speaks to value adding research
existence. and knowledge in major energy
publications within Africa on Energy
She is also the first female chairman Sustainability.
of NAPE University Assistance
Program (2015/16) and pioneer At the Women in Maritime & Energy
co-ordinator of her young profes- Awards, she will be honored with the
sional and student member catego- “Rising Woman in Energy Award”.
ries. This membership categories
currently represent over 5000
members within the association.
She until recently worked with Shell
Nigeria Exploration and Production
Company and rose within the ranks
while supporting major energy
projects. Her team was the front-end
subsurface team for the Bonga South
West Aparo project, the biggest
deep-water project currently
awaiting final investment decision.

As a Unitization & Equity Determina-

tion Subject Matter expert, she
supported the development of the
BSWA Technical procedures, Unitiza-
tion agreements and alignment with
other co-venturers (Chevron &
LukOil) and Unit Partners (ExxonMo-
bil, NAOC and Total). A pioneer
African recipient of the American
Association of Petroleum Geologists,
NAPE Distinguished Young Profes-
sional service and Shell Recognition
Awards.

She was co-chair of the 2018 AAPG

International Conference & Exhibi-
tion and previously led the AAPG
Africa Region Student chapter
programs & Young professional
activities. She is the current Sub-Sa-
haran Africa coordinator of AAPG’s
Global Imperial barrel award compe-
tition and a board member on the
Division of Professional Affairs.

As Publicity Secretary, NAPE has

witnessed a complete turn-around in
her members inclusion, strategic
policy advocacy, internal & external
stakeholders ‘representation.
She facilitated the NAPE Petroleum
Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote
Engr Simbi Kesiye Wabote Engr.
Simbi K. Wabote was appointed as
the Executive Secretary Nigerian
Content Development and Monitor-
ing Board (NCDMB) by President The NCDMB is contributing $20m to opment Company (SNEPCo) as
Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) on the the pool and it will be matched by Regional Manager for Sub-Saharan
29th of September 2016. Prior to his the same amount in naira by NEXIM, Africa in Petroleum Engineering and
appointment he was an Executive to be converted at prevailing official Senior Front-End Project Manager.
Director of Shell Petroleum Develop- exchange rate, according to a Mr. Nwosu held Senior Executive
ment Company (SPDC) Nigeria statement issued by NCMDB. positions in SINOPEC-Addax
Limited and the General Manager The target beneficiaries are firms Petroleum Nigeria Limited, as Deputy
Business and Government Relations where women hold majority Managing Director (Technical) and a
for Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN). shareholding of 51 per cent or where member of the Board of Directors of
Engr. Wabote joined Shell in Septem- at least 50 per cent of management both Addax Petroleum Development
ber 1991 as an Oil and gas Engineer are women or where the Chief Nigeria Limited (APDNL) and Addax
after a short stint with the Banking Executive Officers and at least 40 per Petroleum Exploration Nigeria
industry in Nigeria. cent of management are women. Limited (APENL) and for Tolea Energy
At the Women in Maritime & Energy B.V. the Netherlands as Executive
Prior to taking up his role as an Awards, Engr. Wabote will be Vice-President for Business Develop-
Executive Director of Shell, he had honored with the “HeForShe Ambas- ment and Africa.
served Shell in various senior sador Excellence Award”. Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote
positions within and outside the He is a first class graduate of Nuclear
country in Engineering, Contracting Mr. Chikezie Nwosu Engineering Science, holds an M.Sc
& Procurement, External Affairs and Mr. Chikezie Nwosu, MD/Chief with distinction, majoring in Theoret-
Community Affairs Directorates. As Executive Officer, Waltersmith ical Nuclear Physics, and is a member
Head of Civil engineering in Shell Petroman Oil Limited is an experi- of several professional organizations
Eastern Division, he was responsible enced senior executive with over 29 including the Society of Petroleum
for major key civil engineering years local and international experi- Engineers (2017/2018 SPE Nigeria
projects for the company, including ence in the oil & gas industry vis-a-viz Council Chairman and member
the Shell Osubi airport in Warri Delta management of oil & gas projects, Board of Trustees), Nigerian Associa-
State Nigeria. He served as the new business development and tion of Petroleum Explorationists
National Assembly Relations Adviser divestments and acquisitions. (NAPE) and currently serves on the
to Shell and was the General Manag- Advisory Council of the Nelson
er, Local Content Development, of Mr. Nwosu is a strong energy profes- Mandela Institute’s African Universi-
Shell Exploration Production Compa- sional with a proven track record of ty of Science and Technology (AUST),
ny in Nigeria (SEPCiN). excellence in managing technical and Abuja.
non-technical business and project
He was responsible for the develop- risks and opportunities, having Effective November 21, 2019 Mr.
ment of Royal Dutch Shell’s local worked with leading international oil Nwosu became a Director on the
content strategy and framework and and gas companies including Shell Board of Waltersmith Petroman Oil
supervised Shell Local Content International E&P B.V. as a Global Limited and Waltersmith Refining &
implementation across several Principal Technical Expert and Asset/ Petrochemical Company.
countries including Nigeria, Gabon, Subsurface Development Manager
Brunei, Oman, Kazakhstan, Australia, (New Business Development), Qatar At the Women in Maritime & Energy Mr. Chikezie Nwosu
Iraq, Qatar, Jordan, USA and new CO2/EOR, Shell Petroleum Develop- Awards, Engr. Wabote will be
frontier countries for Shell. ment Company of Nigeria (SPDC), honored with the “HeForShe Ambas-
Simbi holds an MSc from Leeds Shell Nigeria Exploration and Devel- sador Excellence Award”.
Metropolitan University, Graduate of
Civil Engineering from Rivers State
University of Science and Technology
Port Harcourt and a graduate of
INSEAD group leadership
programme. He is also a member of
the Nigerian Society of Engineers and
a COREN Registered engineer and a
member Institute of Civil Engineers
London.

As the Executive Secretary, NCDMB

his new assignment is to steer strate-
gic National programs being imple-
mented by the Board to build capaci-
ty and domicile industry activities
within Nigeria. He is expected to
bring his global experience to bear in
re-engineering the Board’s business
processes to achieve maximum
impact on Nigerian Content develop-
ment. Under Wabote’s leadership,
the NCDMB and NEXIM unveiled a
$40m fund for women in oil sector in
2021.
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