By Damiete Braide
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter of the Women in Energy Oil and Gas (WEOG) held its August Leadership Series via Zoom, bringing together women leaders and professionals from across Nigeria’s energy, oil, and gas sectors.
Themed “Women in Leadership – Beyond the Titles,” the conference went beyond dialogue to become a powerful platform for redefining leadership, celebrating women in energy, and inspiring change in an largely male-dominated industry.
Moderated by Mrs Ojiah Victoria Ogwuche, the conference featured a rich array of speakers who offered diverse perspectives on leadership, resilience, and empowerment.
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In her welcome address, Dr Ann Ihuoma Dozie-Enukora, Head of Servicom at NUPRC and Chairperson/Host of WEOG FCT, set the tone by emphasising that true leadership is not about titles but about service, vision, and impact. “Leadership is not just a seat or a title; it is a call to serve,” she said. “It is about resilience, courage, and the ability to inspire others. What we do with leadership doesn’t just define us, it shapes our legacy.”
Dr Dozie-Enukora urged women to balance empathy with integrity, build support systems, and lead with compassion while never losing sight of their roles as wives, mothers, sisters, and colleagues. She stressed that leaders must use their positions to make Nigeria and their communities better, reminding participants that legacy comes from impact, not from accolades.
Speaking on behalf of the national body, Dame Hasiya Hassan Audu, National External Relations Director of WEOG, outlined the association’s mandate and vision. Founded in 2018 and duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, WEOG was established as an international forum to promote gender diversity and inclusion in the oil and gas industry. According to her, the group aligns its mission with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5, which focuses on gender equality.
“WEOG provides a platform for women to step into leadership roles, bridge industry gaps, and drive national development,” Dame Audu explained. She highlighted the association’s three focus areas: closing gender gaps in the industry, addressing energy poverty through innovation and advocacy, and bridging the economic gap between Africa’s abundant energy resources and the realities of its people. “We believe an inclusive workforce is not only good for business but also vital for national growth,” she added.
The keynote session featured Prof Zainab Gobir, Executive Director of NMDPRA, who delivered a thought-provoking presentation titled “The Silent Weight of Success: What No One Tells You About Leading.” Prof Gobir emphasised that women bring unique qualities, such as foresight, compassion, and empathy, that make them effective leaders. Yet, she also acknowledged the challenges many women face, including gender bias, lack of mentorship, and even rivalry from fellow women.
“A seat at the table does not come easily,” she noted. “Women must remain purposeful, loyal to their vision, and resilient. There is no quick win in leadership. It requires discipline, passion, and deliberate effort.” She also challenged women to support one another, rather than pulling each other down, stressing that collaboration is key to navigating male-dominated spaces.
Adding to the conversation, Mr Francis Elimimian, CEO of Maczorian Services Incorporated from Canada, spoke on “The Fact That It Is Lonely at the Top.” He drew attention to the isolation women leaders often face, despite their achievements. Comparing leadership to the forest canopy where only a few trees stand tall, he noted that fewer women are represented in top positions despite making up a larger share of the population. “Women leaders often feel isolated due to underrepresentation and cultural bias,” he said, urging the creation of women’s leadership networks and mentorship systems to reduce loneliness at the top.
Dr Gloria Ahmed delivered a session on “Balancing Power and Vulnerability: Leading Without Losing Yourself.” She urged women to recognise that leadership is not a solitary journey but a collaborative process. “As women, we must identify our strengths, develop ourselves, and embrace teamwork. Every woman has what it takes to lead, because we are wired to lead well,” she affirmed.
Similarly, Mrs Sarah Ajose-Adeogun stressed the need for resilience and intentionality. “Our legacy is not in the titles we hold, but in the lives we touch and the change we make,” she said, while encouraging women to lift each other up and identify allies who can journey with them.
The session closed with Dr Nneka Perpetua Emeka-Aguodoh, who spoke passionately on “Sisterhood Over Silence: Building Support Systems That Truly Support.” She described sisterhood as a bond that transcends friendship and workplace relationships, emphasising the importance of mutual encouragement, collective sharing of ideas, and celebrating wins together. “When women build supportive communities, they create ecosystems where no one is left behind,” she said.
The conference concluded with a unifying call to action: women in the oil and gas sector must continue to lead authentically, embrace empathy, and support one another in order to build legacies that transcend positions. For WEOG, the event was not just a leadership dialogue but a reaffirmation of its commitment to empower women, close industry gaps, and redefine the future of energy leadership in Nigeria and beyond.
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