By joshua 
PENGASSAN Women Advocates Gender Inclusivity In Nigeria’s Energy Sector.
Ahiaba Douglas
Women in the Petroleum and Gas Sector of Nigeria has been urged to aspire for leadership roles to enable them Contribute and also form part of the decision making body in the Sector.
The above assertion formed parts of discussion and Conversation at the Second edition of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Women Annual Convention, tagged PWAC2025, themed, ” The Dynamic Woman, She Powers The Future , Driving Industry Transformation, Innovation and Leadership “held in Abuja,June 2nd and 3rd,2025 .
In her welcome remarks, the National Chairperson, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ( PENGASSAN )Women Commission, Comrade. Engineer. Maryann Ada Mbanaso, Said in a Changing and energy evolving World, Characterised by transformation of Industries and leadership redifinition, the role and Contributions of Women in the Energy, Petroleum and Gas Sector cannot be overemphasized.
Comrade Mbanaso, further revealed that it was in recognition and acknowledgement of the roles of Women in the Petroleum and Gas Sector of Nigeria and the World at large that the theme of this year’s annual Convention ” The Dynamic Woman, She Powers The Future, Driving Industry Transformation, Innovation and Leadership” becomes apt and timely, Saying it was a declaration and a movement that is not limited to the PENGASSAN Women Commission,but the entirety of the Women in all areas of human endeavors, towards becoming more assertive in the Scheme of things in Nigeria and the World in general.
The Chairperson also stressed that in a bid to actualizing the Association’s dreams of Powering the future, it has already Started preparing the next generation of Girls towards the task ahead, with the launch of an initiative Called the Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics(STEM).
According to her, STEM is a platform for training, equipping, providing access to mentorship for young Girls who aspires to become Drivers of the Energy, Petroleum and Gas Sector of the Country and the world at large in the future.
In his Goodwill message, the President General TUC and President, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ( PENGASSAN) , Comrade Festus Osifo, applauded the Women group for bringing Women from all Walks of Life to the Convention and also expressed Satisfaction over the thought provoking Speeches and inspiring Contributions the Speakers had made, specifically, their exposition of the theme of the Convention, which he said was soo, inspiring and resonate profoundly with him.
While acknowledging the Contributions of PENGASSAN Women in the Stride they have recorded in the Petroleum and Gas Sector, he also expressed optimism that the Women actually possessed the potentials of driving transformation and innovation and also provide the desired leadership in the Sector.
Speaking on the topic ” leading the Charge, Women Powering the Energy Revolution” Sarah Onuwamagbe Ajose- Adeogun, lamented that some barriers, like culture and religion has greatly affected Women’s assertiveness in the Sector, and that there exist some natural barriers like pregnancy, and nurturing of babies which greatly limits Women’s roles not only in the Petroleum and Gas Sector but in all aspects of human endeavors.
She called for more friendly Government policies that would help to lessen the burdens Women bears, even as she also advise husbands to be helpful and be the understanding type so that Women Could Contribute and becomes the drivers of transformation, innovation and leadership not only in the energy Sector but in other Sectors.