By Seun Ibiyemi
The Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has said Nigeria and the wider African continent must position women at the forefront of leadership to fully unlock their hydrocarbon potential.
Speaking at the 3rd Edition of the Diversity Sectoral Working Group Annual Women in Oil and Gas Conference on March 3, 2026, Eyesan emphasised that sustainable growth in the energy sector depends on deliberate and strategic inclusion of women across the value chain.
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“The future of Nigeria’s energy sector will not be fully realised unless women rise deliberately, visibly, and strategically to lead across the entire energy value chain,” she stated.
She explained that greater female participation in exploration, production, regulation, finance, and energy transition initiatives would strengthen governance, improve innovation, and enhance long-term sector performance.
Eyesan added that as global energy dynamics continue to shift, Nigeria must leverage the full capacity of its workforce to remain competitive and resilient.
She reaffirmed NUPRC’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within the upstream petroleum industry, describing gender equity as essential to national development and energy security.
