As part of its participation at the 2026 edition of the Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) held in Lagos, Nigeria LNG (NLNG) reinforced its commitment to inclusive growth across Africa’s energy landscape.
Ijeoma Onyenobi, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at NLNG, represented the company on a panel session titled “From the Margins to the Middle: Women and Youth in Energy Leadership.”
The session brought together industry leaders to examine pathways for expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups within the sector.
Speaking during the discussion, Onyenobi observed that although women and young professionals are becoming increasingly visible across the energy value chain, significant obstacles remain.
“Structural and institutional barriers continue to limit their advancement into leadership positions,” she noted, stressing that visibility alone does not automatically translate into influence or decision-making power.
She emphasised that repositioning Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) from a peripheral initiative to a core organisational priority is critical for long-term sectoral growth.
“Moving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from the margins to the core of organisational strategy is essential to strengthening decision-making and enhancing competitiveness,” she said, adding that real progress demands “intentional policies, inclusive governance frameworks, and leadership pipelines that support equitable representation.”
Onyenobi’s remarks underscored the growing recognition within the energy industry that inclusion is not merely a social commitment but a strategic imperative. By embedding equitable practices into governance structures and talent development frameworks, organisations can build more resilient institutions capable of driving sustainable growth across Africa’s evolving energy sector.
NLNG’s participation at SAIPEC 2026 highlights its broader focus on fostering innovation, responsible leadership and inclusive excellence within the industry.
