A towering figure in the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry, Dr. Mrs Lami Onayi Ahmed has expressed concern about the low participation of women in the industry, saying that women must break the jinx by identifying and overcoming the obstacles that inhibit full participation of women in the entire value chain of the industry.
‘Women should break the box if thinking outside it isn’t producing desired results,’ Dr. Lami said in an interview to commemorate her 60th birthday and achievements, recently, adding that as a woman and Member on the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), she worked closely with the visionary Sen. Mrs. Margery Chuba-Okadigbo who chaired the Board, and with other members of the Board to realize set goals.
Expressing confidence in the ability of women to realize great goals, Lami, who has put in over 36 years of meritorious service to the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry through the National Oil and Chemical Company (NOLCHEM), CONOIL and the NNPCL, stated: ‘To the best of my knowledge, women have always excelled, adding that the Oil and Gas sector should not be an exception.
Lami, who is a former president of Lions Club International said: ‘Women should break the jinx in the Oil and Gas industry. There is low participation of women in the industry. More women should join the industry and we should be united to contribute our quota, skills and funds to the development of the industry.’
The former Member of the NNPC Board further expressed concern that the current ratio of women to men in the industry is nothing to write home about, saying: ‘I encourage more women to join the industry and give their best.’
‘I assure you that the Oil and Gas sector is still a virgin land awaiting the participation of more women.’
While saying that currently, there is no level playing ground for women when compared to men in the industry, she expressed confidence that the situation will change.
‘Of course the Oil and Gas industry is capital intensive, and women may not have access to funding and may be misunderstood as lacking the physical energy to engage in the rigors of the industry; however, they should team up and engage the industry.’
She decried the posture of lenders to women in the industry, saying that it could discourage a woman. ‘So, challenges abound for women, such as the discrimination they may face from lenders. Nevertheless, we should not be discouraged.’
‘Women need to engage the industry, we need to become more visible and we must unite to address our common challenges.’
‘I want women to know that in the Oil and Gas industry, opportunities are not offered, they are taken. Nobody will place an opportunity on your table; you must go for it.’
‘Every woman needs to rise up and go for the opportunity. Women should be more determined than ever before to break the barriers of limitation inhibiting their advancement in the industry.’
‘Break the box if thinking outside it isn’t producing desired results.’
‘Women should equip themselves, they should get qualified, and must not beg for attention, and must be strategic, intentional and committed to the realisation of set goals,’ she added.
