By Fredrick Ameh
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has asserted that Nigeria cannot fully unlock its economic potential without integrating women into critical sectors, particularly in technical and STEM fields.
She described the “She-Fix 2.0” initiative as a vital, practical step toward closing gender gaps and strengthening female participation in the national economy.
Organized by NNPC Retail Limited, the initiative recently convened over 300 women in Abuja to boost female representation within the energy sector.
The program, themed “Driving Diversity, Powering Progress,” brought together a diverse group of professionals, technicians, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to discuss inclusion as a core strategy for growth.
On the corporate front, Sophia Mbakwe, the Executive Vice President of Business Services at NNPC Limited, noted that women are taking on increasing responsibilities across the organization, significantly contributing to innovation and service delivery.
Representing the Managing Director of NNPC Retail, Huub Stokman, Executive Director of Finance Valentina Kojo emphasized that female empowerment must be both measurable and sustained to be effective.
Also speaking, the NNPC Ltd Chief Corporate Communications Officer Andy Odeh highlighted that inclusive leadership is becoming increasingly linked to stronger performance within the energy industry.
The event featured technical demonstrations, panel sessions, and a marketplace for female-led businesses, offering participants tangible opportunities for professional development.
Building on its 2025 debut in Lagos, the initiative reflects NNPC Retail’s ongoing efforts to embed inclusion into Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape.
Stakeholders at the event remarked that the program signals a definitive shift toward broader and more meaningful participation for women across the sector.
