The Women in Energy Network (WIEN) is set to host its inaugural WIEN Gala & Awards 2026 on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, at The Metropolitan Club in Victoria Island, Lagos. The event marks the sixth anniversary of the network’s establishment in 2020 and serves as a platform to celebrate advancements in female participation and leadership within Nigeria’s energy sector. Corporate and individual reservations for the milestone evening are currently open.
The gala coincides with the launch of a landmark Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Benchmark developed in partnership with KPMG. Dr Cecilia Umoren, Chair of the WIEN Board of Trustees and Executive Chairman of Millennium Oil and Gas Company Limited, emphasized that advancing women in the energy sector requires more than advocacy; it demands evidence-based strategies and measurable outcomes. Umoren noted that while the International Energy Agency reports women constitute roughly 20% of the global energy workforce, they hold only 12% of senior executive roles. In Nigeria, data from the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) indicates women make up approximately 18% of the extractive sector workforce, with technical and STEM pipelines lagging further behind.
“Inclusion must become something we can assess, measure and improve. Our goal is to see more women-owned businesses participating in the energy value chain, more women progressing into senior leadership, and more organisations translating their commitments into tangible opportunities,” said Mrs Eyono Fatayi-Williams, President of WIEN.
Established in 2020, WIEN has evolved from qualitative advocacy to structured sector development, utilizing mentorship pipelines and capacity-building frameworks to support women professionals and business owners. The 2026 Gala will feature a keynote address by Dr Mutiu Sunmonu, reflections on the network’s six-year journey, and a red-carpet reception designed to foster networking and industry dialogue among executives, policymakers, and institutions.
The event is backed by a coalition of major industry players, reflecting a collective commitment to building a more inclusive energy ecosystem. Renaissance Africa Energy Company JV, NLNG Limited, SNEPCO, and Telmek Global Resources lead the partnership, with Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, FIRST E&P, and Sahara Group serving as Platinum Sponsors. Gold Sponsors include ND Western Limited, Virgin Forest Energy, Bank of Industry, Aradel Holdings Plc, and NEXIM Bank, while Tetracore Energy Group, Loyz Marine, and Eko Electricity Distribution Plc (EKEDC) participate as Silver Sponsors.
Bassey Adie, Director of Partnerships & Conferences and Chairperson of the Gala Planning Committee, stated that the support from these organizations reflects a shared belief in the necessity of a competitive and sustainable energy sector. “Partnerships like these create platforms for meaningful engagement, open doors to new opportunities, and strengthen the collective effort to ensure more women can participate, lead, and thrive across the energy value chain,” Adie said. The event, convened by Engr. Tony Attah, Managing Director/CEO of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, aims to set an ambitious course for the future of gender representation in the industry.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
