The Country Representative of UN Women to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, has called for decisive policy action to drive women’s inclusion, leadership and measurable impact in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Speaking recently at the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Women’s Annual Convention in Abuja, she said, “Your theme for this year, a dynamic woman shaping tomorrow, influencing, impact, legacy, speaks to a powerful truth. Women are not just participants in development; they are drivers of transformation across every sector, including energy.”
She emphasised the policy imperative of energy access, stating: “Energy remains a critical pillar of economic growth and women’s empowerment. When women have access to reliable energy, they gain time, improve productivity, and expand their opportunities for leadership and economic participation.”
She noted: “In many communities, improved energy access directly reduces the burden of unpaid care work and enables women to engage more fully in productive and decision-making spaces.”
Highlighting structural gaps, Eyong said: “Yet, the energy sector remains heavily male-dominated. According to the African Development Bank, women make up only about 18-22% of the workforce in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.”
She stressed, “Bridging this gap is not only a matter of fairness; it is essential for innovation, resilience, performance, and the long-term sustainability of the sector.”
On leadership and accountability, she said: “Influence means having a voice where decisions are made. Impact means translating the voice into tangible outcomes… And legacy means ensuring that the pathway is widened for the women coming behind.”
She added: “Across six states and a federal capital territory, we have supported thousands of women with biogas technology, helping to reduce deforestation, improve agricultural production and livelihoods.”
Eyong underscored reform momentum, urging action; “This gathering also comes at a pivotal moment as Nigeria moves closer to advancing the Special Seats for Women Bill. As you deliberate, I urge you to remain focused on measurable progress.”
The UN Women Representative urged for a translation of commitments into enforceable frameworks and institutional change.
“Policy must now match ambition. Institutions must open pathways for women. Action, not rhetoric, will define impact,” she urged.