The Women in Energy Network marked its Annual General Meeting with a strong message about its expanding influence and its growing role in shaping a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable energy sector in Nigeria and beyond.
Addressing members, partners, and industry stakeholders, WIEN President Eyono Fatai Williams celebrated five years of measurable impact and a future defined by bold ambition.
She noted that WIEN, founded to create space for women across the energy value chain, has evolved into a powerful movement advocating for equity, leadership, and innovation.
With membership now at 1,108, and four new corporate members joining in 2025, WIEN’s growth reflects its rising credibility and its relevance in an industry undergoing rapid transformation, according to a statement by the group.
A major part of WIEN’s mission this year centered on inclusion.
The network advanced girls’ and women’s participation in STEM through grassroots IWD career fairs in Lagos and Port Harcourt, and through active involvement in national and global IWD events.
These programmes connected young girls and professional women to mentors, insights, and opportunities, helping build a future workforce that mirrors the diversity the sector needs.
WIEN also expanded its industry footprint with active participation in key energy conferences, exhibitions, and policy dialogues across Nigeria, Africa, and Europe.
The engagements enabled WIEN to champion gender inclusion, highlight the importance of diverse leadership, and push for sustainable energy solutions.
By ensuring that women’s voices are part of national and continental policy conversations, WIEN reinforced its position as a strategic partner in shaping the future of the energy sector.
Innovation and capacity building remained central to WIEN’s work. Through masterclasses and webinars on AI, cybersecurity, financial management, investment, and regulatory compliance, the network equipped members with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing sector.
The Collegiate Community advanced the Girls in STEM agenda through mentorship, research initiatives, and digital skills training.
WIEN further strengthened its advocacy this year through a high-level visit to the Special Adviser to the President on Energy.
The engagement produced a database of women-owned businesses and qualified female leaders, reinforcing WIEN’s push for fair representation in the energy business and governance.
A new partnership with eTranzact International Plc will offer cost-easing digital solutions to women-led enterprises, boosting their competitiveness in Nigeria’s growing technology-driven economy.
The network’s work was acknowledged with two Industry Advocate Awards, affirming WIEN’s increasing influence and its commitment to positive change within the sector.
Fatai Williams praised the outgoing leadership and welcomed the incoming Board, emphasizing that WIEN’s next chapter must build on its strong foundation to accelerate change.
She urged members to remain unwavering in their mission to open doors, challenge limits, and shape a sector that reflects the creativity, competence, and leadership of women.
“As we step into 2026, WIEN will continue to drive inclusion, spark innovation, and champion sustainability across the energy landscape. Our strength lies in our unity, our vision, and our commitment to shaping the future,” she said.
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The AGM closed with renewed commitment from members who remain determined to advance WIEN’s mission and solidify the network’s role as a key driver of transformation in the energy industry.
In her speech at the event, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Cecilia Aqua-Umoren, declared that 2024 had been a year marked by growth, strategic engagement, and rising visibility for the organisation across Nigeria’s energy sector.
In her remarks, which were delivered by the founding President of WIEN, Mrs Funmi Ogbua, the BOT Chairman sent assurances of progress and solid commitment from the Board, saying that WIEN strengthened its programmes, expanded partnerships, and advanced advocacy efforts aimed at improving gender diversity and inclusion in the industry.
She noted that the network’s achievements were driven by the dedication of its executives, committee leads, volunteers, and members who continue to push for wider opportunities for women in the sector.
Dr. Aqua-Umoren called on members to reflect on the ground already covered and the momentum the organisation has built.
She stressed that WIEN would continue breaking long-standing barriers and opening new doors for women to lead and influence policy and business outcomes within the energy space.
The Board Chair also reaffirmed the commitment of the Board of Trustees to provide steady support for the executive arm of the organisation.
She stated that the board will continue to strengthen governance, back leadership development initiatives, and ensure that WIEN remains a platform where women grow, thrive, and contribute to sector-wide transformation.
The meeting set a positive tone for the year ahead with the election of new executive members led by Eyono Fatai-Williams, who was reelected into the position after an initial term in office, as members look forward to building on the progress already made and expanding WIEN’s impact across the energy industry.