NIGERIA'S WOMEN IN OIL BUSINESS

Years back, we could hardly find women holding top positions in oil companies but that is gradually changing as many women are beginning to handle management positions. This is a good development for our country because globally, the number of women in executive leadership positions within the oil industry is markedly low. Having a woman, means we have someone who can bring in her ideas and things can be done differently, passionately. When women are driven by their passion, they are committed to seeing it through despite the challenges even when all hell is breaking loose; the woman who has it all together can hold it all together. No offence to the men. I just feel women have that extra something, the "je ne sais quoi!".
Doing this women in oil business story was quite interesting. Well, for obvious reasons, I am female and all for championing the cause for women to explore their creativity and talents and use them in affecting their environment positively. Our first mission was to film at Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL) and interview the managing director. I was pleasantly surprised when I met her. She looked young! Add beauty and brains to the list. Great personality, wonderful composure. She was on time. She knew the business quite well, explaining the entire work process that takes place on the site. I was challenged. And I was not the only one, her male staff were also challenged that they had a female boss. Amy Jadesimi, the 39 year old medical school graduate from Oxford University and a trained MBA graduate from Stanford while speaking about her experience said people are often surprised when they meet her. She has been the MD for five years but still faces challenges. She says she has to always prepare herself for any scenario. For her, the important thing is for the company to achieve their goals. LADOL is working on expansion with an ongoing construction of an integration and fabrication yard, in partnership with Samsung that will be the only facility in West Africa that can fully integrate floating, production, storage and offloading. Uju Ifejika, chairman and chief executive officer of Brittania-U is another woman in management position in the oil sector. She says things are beginning to change because men are starting to realise that women equally have certain potentials. The African mentality that a woman's place is in the kitchen, is changing. I do hope that we can all embrace this change and give women an opportunity to represent in various fields not just in the oil industry.
Cheers!
Click on any of the links to watch the video: Girl Power at Top Nigerian Energy Firms
Reuters: Girl Power at Top Nigerian Energy Firms

Amy and a member of staff

Ongoing work on the site

LADOL's Jetty