In an industry dominated by men, especially in Nigeria, some women are leaving their footprints and reconstructing the oil and gas sector with innovative ideas and exemplary leadership.
Here are women who are inspiring inclusion and breaking gender biases in the oil and gas sector.
Catherine Uju Ifejika
Catherine Ifejika is the chairman and chief executive officer of Britannia-U, an indigenous integrated company that provides subsurface engineering, exploration and production, and consulting services in the energy sector.
After graduating from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna State, with a law degree, she was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1986.
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Ifejika, a fellow of the Institute of Arbitration and Conciliation and a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, started her career in the oil and gas sector in 1987 as a junior counsel in Texaco’s legal department. She advanced to the position of secretary for public and government affairs for West Africa.
Additionally, she served on the board of directors of the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture from 2001 to 2002.
Folorunsho Alakija
Currently holding the position of vice-chairman at Famfa Oil Limited, Folorunsho Alakija is regarded as one of the wealthiest black women in the world.
Alakija’s company, Famfa Limited, was granted a licence to explore oil on a 617,000-acre area known as OPL 216. She transferred 40 percent of her 100 percent ownership to Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited, a Texaco subsidiary, and they were named as technical consultants for exploration as part of a joint venture agreement she signed.
After the company discovered oil, the government attempted to acquire a 50 percent share, but Alakija filed a lawsuit and won.
Forbes magazine listed her as the 96th most powerful woman in the world in 2014. Alakija also founded the non-governmental Rose of Sharon Foundation, which has empowered many widows, orphans, and underprivileged individuals.
Amy Jadesimi
Amy Jadesimi is the CEO of Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL).
She earned her first degree in psychological sciences from Oxford University and her second degree in medicine from the Oxford University Medical School.
Following graduation from medical school, Jadesimi worked in London for Goldman Sachs International’s investment banking division, where she specialised in mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance. She attended Stanford Business School in California, USA, to obtain a Master’s degree in Business Administration to further her expertise.
In 2004, Jadesimi joined LADOL, a logistics base designed to meet the specific needs of deep water offshore oil and gas operations in and around Nigeria.
Her achievements were acknowledged in 2014 when Forbes Magazine named her one of ‘The 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa’. In addition, she was a founding member of the Commission on Business and Sustainable Development.
Godfrey Ogbechie
Godfrey Ogbechie is the group executive director of Rainoil Limited.
Ogbechie earned a degree in Agricultural Economics and Extension from the University of Calabar in 1988. She started her career in the banking sector, working for Fidelity Bank Plc and Universal Trust Bank Limited in a variety of roles. During her tenure in the banking industry, she accumulated substantial expertise in operations, customer service, audit, and human resource management.
With her vast knowledge and expertise, Ogbechie has had a significant impact on Rainoil’s operations. She is responsible for overseeing the corporate support service functions of the organisation, including human resources, information technology, and administration and facilities management.Related News
Culled from Business Day NG
