By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

Day Two of the 4th Biennial International Conference on Hydrocarbon Science and Technology (ICHST 2025) shone a spotlight on women transforming the oil and gas industry, as top executives, engineers, and innovators gathered to discuss the theme “Innovative Leadership: Women Driving Change in the Oil and Gas Sector.”

Delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Folashade Adekeye, Director, NNPC Academy, electrified the audience with a bold message on women’s leadership, innovation, and inclusion in a sector long dominated by men.

“When you hear ‘oil and gas,’ the image that comes to mind is usually male,” Adekeye began. “But that narrative is changing. We’re not waiting to be invited to the table anymore — we’re building new tables, leading new conversations, and shaping new futures.”

Setting the tone for a vibrant panel discussion, Adekeye highlighted how women are rising to key positions in both national and international oil companies, proving that leadership in the energy industry is no longer defined by gender.

She noted that the oil and gas industry is at a critical inflection point — grappling with the global energy transition, digital transformation, and increasing demand for environmental sustainability.

“Innovation is the engine of progress, and leadership is the fuel that drives it,” she said. “In this evolving sector, women are showing that empathy, collaboration, and courage are the real catalysts of innovation.”

Adekeye described innovative leadership as a blend of courage, curiosity, and compassion — qualities she believes women naturally bring to the workplace.

“Being an innovative leader means having the courage to challenge the status quo and ask, ‘Why not me?’” she declared.
“It’s about embracing change — from digital tools to new energy realities — and leading with empathy, creating a culture where trust, inclusion, and collaboration thrive.”

She underscored that innovation doesn’t happen in isolation, but in ecosystems of shared knowledge and mentorship, where women play an essential role in nurturing talent and driving progress.

Adekeye challenged the notion that empathy and emotional intelligence are “soft skills,” calling them instead “power skills” — critical assets for leading modern organizations.

“Women bring a unique lens to leadership — one that values collaboration over competition, sustainability over short-term gains, and people over profit,” she explained.
“These are not soft skills. They are power skills. And they’re exactly what the oil and gas industry needs now more than ever.”

Celebrating the achievements of women across the energy value chain, Adekeye spotlighted several examples of women breaking barriers in Nigeria and beyond:

Sofia, Executive Vice President at NNPC Limited, representing women at the highest executive level.

Leticia Gona, NNPC’s first Chief Innovation Officer, pioneering digital transformation in the company.

Danielle Nico, Vice President of Chevron Lubricants, leading innovation in fuel and product development.

“It’s inspiring to see women leading offshore operations, managing refineries, and steering billion-dollar projects,” Adekeye said. “These are not exceptions — they are becoming the norm.”

Adekeye also pointed to trends in other sectors, such as banking, where women now hold top executive positions across Nigeria’s major financial institutions.

“When women lead, results follow,” she said. “Organizations with women at the top tend to attract more customers, drive higher profits, and achieve their goals faster — because women lead with purpose and passion.”

She added humorously that if society celebrates women often, it’s because “they multitask endlessly and still deliver with excellence.”

Concluding her keynote, Adekeye urged women across the oil and gas sector to continue mentoring, innovating, and leading with integrity.

“This is more than a session — it’s a call to action,” she said. “Let’s keep building, keep leading, and keep proving that innovation has no gender.”

The session ended with a dynamic panel discussion featuring female executives and engineers from across the continent, reaffirming the central theme of ICHST 2025 — “Transforming Africa’s Hydrocarbon Sector: Balancing Growth, Environment, and Governance.