Year over year, the program becomes an intellectual gathering of women in the energy industry. The program offers an occasional opportunity to have a roundtable discussion, especially concerning diversity and inclusion in the boardrooms. Tellingly, in an inclusive manner, this indicates how gender-sensitive the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and SPE Nigeria Council are positioned.
Summary of the Opening Remarks at the Women Leadership Program
Before the engaging panel discussion started, short remarks were delivered by Kamel Ben-Naceur, 2022 SPE President, followed by remarks by Olalekan Olafuyi, SPE Nigeria Council Chairman and a professor with the Department of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Benin. NewsCross E&P and Platform Petroleum representatives participated as program sponsors.
Ben-Naceur started by thanking the organizers of the Women Leadership Program (WLP), led by Amina Danmadami, chief chemical engineer at the Department of Petroleum Resources Nigeria.
The SPE President lamented over decreasing inclusiveness in recent years. He acknowledged that the oil and gas industry is comprised of only 22–25% women. More so, he noted some of the reasons for the significant decline in inclusiveness by highlighting the following points: recruitment policies and work-life balance. To solve this, action and follow-up need to be adopted at every organizational corridor and advocacy of STEM education from the grassroots. The benefits of diversity and inclusion at the organizational level cannot be underemphasized. This is because 80% of companies around the world firmly believe that innovation comes with diversity.
In conclusion, Ben-Naceur shared with the audience what SPE International has been doing to address the gender gaps in the boardrooms. SPE International is encouraging and providing platforms, like WLP, for this type of intellectual discourse that encourages not societal but corporate reforms that support diversity and inclusion.
Lastly, Ben-Naucer encouraged the women in the energy industry to become role models, mentor new talent, and participate in diversity discussions to bridge the gender gap. Moreover, he tasked women to take measurements to facilitate work-life balance and always advocate for girls in STEM at the high school level.
While thanking the SPE President, Olafuyi Olalekan noted that "When you have a house without a woman, then there is no house."
In his closing appreciation of the organizers and sponsors, Olalekan highlighted that empowering women is what SPE Nigeria Council does by providing a platform for women in the industry and girls in STEM. This is because building a future without women is a future without foundation. The sponsors' representative made an interesting comment by acknowledging that business thrives by giving back to society; thus, women can have a significant role to play in society. This, amongst many other good reasons, is why the sponsors look forward to sponsoring the WLP.
Danmadami, SPE member and industry professional with decades of experience, is the WLP Chair for NAICE 2022. Danmadami began the panel by thanking the speakers for their time, panelists for honoring the invitation to speak at the WLP NAICE 2022, and for being the focal point of reference for girls in STEM and the upcoming generation. She also applauded the SPE Nigeria Council and SPE International for the uncommon support to women in the oil and gas industry and for providing an intellectual platform for discourse on diversity and inclusion.
Six Takeaways From the Roundtable Discussion
- A seasoned business leader who spent 22 years working with Shell, Alero Onosode was part of the team that launched diversity and inclusion at the global stage. She is currently spearheading the human resources arm of the leading indigenous exploration and production company, Seplat. Onosode tossed up an interesting question: How do we create an environment and culture for individuals to thrive? In her remarks, she highlighted that the competencies of the women who bring so much to the table should be appreciated by giving more chances to lead and drive systemic changes. Also, she tasked industry leaders to set up parameters to inspire and encourage growth, thereby having the right conversation of inclusiveness in the boardroom. She concluded by encouraging women to drive confidence to speak at the moment.
- Rachel Igiehon, an oil and gas advisory consultant, WREN Consulting, advocated for powering platforms to support women in unlocking their potential, especially in the oil and gas sector. She said women should explore opportunities to collaborate and, more so, men should always support women in their life endeavors. She emphasized that collaboration and inclusiveness should become our driving forces as a society.
- Bashirat Odunewu, a banking and financial expert, shared her inspiring story of transforming from an oil and gas enthusiast to an accounting professional. She tasked women to remain focused, work diligently, be ready for extra work, develop capabilities for delivery, and always, have in their bags a good career plan. This is because, in her words, opportunity meets preparedness. Therefore, one needs to know what they are capable of and go the extra mile. In conclusion, she urged the older generation to support and help women.
- When asked about the diversity and inclusion status in the current scenario in the oil and gas industry, Adedoja Ojelabi, a geologist, noted that women do not have the numbers to make a difference in the industry. Therefore, it is difficult for them to make a difference or influence any policies within. She affirmed that support for women could only come when it is intentional. Another point she described is that most of today's workplaces are structured to favor men. Consequently, workplaces work only for men. She challenged women to participate in SPE-related activities actively and play the industry politics.
- Carlien Dorcas, an accomplished professional with over 35 years of experience shared her story across domains and tasked women to support each other, thereby challenging the status quo. She also advocated for upsetting recruitment and organizational values that don't favor diversity and inclusion. Finally, she encouraged women to have a better and clear understanding of business and skills because only then would women be able to serve in the boardroom.
- Hansatu Adegbite, a successful entrepreneur and alumnus of Harvard Business School with many years of experience, said women should value themselves and always create a network of women who will support their stand for professionalism. Also, she shared that there is a need to make sure there are policies that will favor women at the managerial level. Furthermore, women are encouraged to remain focused, work diligently, be ready for extra work, develop capabilities for delivery, and always, have a good career plan in their bags. Women should explore opportunities in collaboration, and, more so, men should always support women in their life endeavors. Collaboration and inclusiveness should become our driving forces as a society.
