The National Chairperson of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASAN) Women Commission, Dr Maryann Mbanaso, has called for the full inclusion of women in Nigeria’s energy sector, stressing that the country stands to gain significantly when women’s potential is fully harnessed.
“Nigeria will be stronger, more innovative and more inclusive when the full potential of women is fully realised and harnessed,” she said.
Dr Mbanaso made the call on Wednesday at the opening of the 4th edition of the PENGASAN Women Annual Convention in Abuja, where she described the Commission’s journey as one of courage, purpose and steady evolution.
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She noted that women in the energy sector are not merely participants but key contributors to its growth and development.
“The Convention, therefore, is more than a gathering; it is a call to action, and I encourage every woman sitting here today to embrace continuous growth, step boldly into leadership opportunities, mentor with intention and remain actively engaged in shaping the future of our union and beyond,” she said.
She also expressed appreciation to supporters of the Commission, describing inclusion as a collective responsibility.
“To our He-4-Shes and strong allies of the Commission, we thank you. The journey toward equity and inclusion is a shared one; our success depends on collective commitment,” she stated.
According to her, the Commission has remained committed to creating opportunities for women to develop professionally, strengthen leadership capacity and contribute meaningfully to the association through mentorship, advocacy and strategic engagement.
Dr Mbanaso further noted that the annual convention has become a key platform for dialogue and empowerment within the association.
“Even as we celebrate these achievements, we remain mindful that our work is far from complete,” she said.
She urged women to be intentional and resilient in their pursuit of excellence.
“The dynamic woman of today must be intentional, forward-thinking and resilient. She must be willing to challenge outdated norms, pursue excellence with consistency and create opportunities not only for herself but also for others,” she stated.
The theme of the convention is “The Dynamic Woman: Shaping Tomorrow; Influence, Impact, Legacy.”
The event continues on Thursday.