The Women in Energy Network (WIEN) has marked its fifth anniversary with major achievements, including surpassing 1,100 members and the re-election of Eyono Fatayi-Williams as President for another term of two years. The milestones were announced at the Network’s 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM), which held in Lagos,  where members gathered to review the year’s progress, inaugurate new leadership and reaffirm their commitment to advancing women in Nigeria’s energy sector.

Addressing members at the AGM, Fatayi-Williams reflected on WIEN’s journey since its establishment five years ago, describing it as a vision that has grown into a formidable movement. She said WIEN was created to serve as a platform where women across the energy value chain could connect, grow, lead and shape the sector’s future. According to her, the Network has continued to thrive because of the passion, commitment and belief shared by its members, partners and allies in promoting an equitable energy future. She thanked the members for their support, noting that their dedication “kept the lights on at WIEN.”

A major highlight of the AGM was the announcement that WIEN’s membership had grown to 1,108, surpassing the 1,000-member mark for the first time. Fatayi-Williams described the milestone as a strong demonstration of the Network’s growing influence and the collective desire to advance women’s participation in Nigeria’s energy industry. She also noted that corporate membership remained robust, with four organisations joining in 2025: NNPC Retail Limited, Lonadek Global Services, Tenaris Nigeria and TotalEnergies.

“As we close the chapter on 2025, we have reached certain milestones that speak volumes about the value and impact of this network, and I would like to reflect on some of our achievements. One of the most significant milestones this year has been our membership growth. I am pleased to announce that we have crossed the 1,000 mark, reaching an incredible 1,108 members. This number reflects our united voices in championing women’s advancement and participation in Nigeria’s energy industry,” Fatayi-Williams said.

The WIEN President highlighted the Network’s extensive participation in this year’s International Women’s Day activities, which held across several cities and involved partnerships with Aradel Holdings, Lonadek Global Services and the American Business Council. WIEN also extended its IWD outreach to the grassroots through STEM career fairs for girls in government schools in Lagos and Port Harcourt, providing mentorship, hands-on learning and exposure to opportunities in STEM and energy.

Fatayi-Williams noted that WIEN strengthened its visibility and industry influence through participation in major energy conferences and exhibitions locally and internationally, including N.I.E.S, SAIPEC, NOG Energy Week, NOGOF, the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), African Energy Week in Cape Town, OTL Africa Downstream Week and Gastech 2025 in Milan. The Network also contributed to key policy engagements such as the NCDMB Stakeholders Engagement Forum and the CGE Africa Stakeholder Dialogue to ensure women’s voices remained central in shaping national and continental energy policies.

She said the Network continued to prioritise capacity building, delivering webinars, masterclasses and health talks on topics such as financial management, cybersecurity, investment, AI, the post-subsidy economy, mental health and FIRS e-invoicing. WIEN’s Collegiate Community also expanded its activities through mentorship programmes, research webinars and technical masterclasses aimed at preparing young women for leadership roles in energy and STEM.

In the area of advocacy, WIEN’s engagement with the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy led to the development of a database of women-owned businesses and women qualified for board and executive appointments. The Network also entered a strategic partnership with eTranzact International Plc to provide discounted e-invoicing solutions for women-owned and women-led enterprises, a move aimed at improving competitiveness and reducing compliance costs for women entrepreneurs.

The year also saw WIEN deepen its commitment to STEM education through a Girls in STEM Career Fair held in Port Harcourt in collaboration with NLNG, bringing together students from several government secondary schools and exposing them to careers in STEM and energy.

WIEN’s collective efforts earned it two major recognitions: the Industry Advocate Award at the NAEC Annual Energy Industry Awards & Conference and another at the Gas Investment Forum. Fatayi-Williams said the awards validate WIEN’s growing impact and motivate the Network to expand its reach and continue championing the empowerment of women across the energy value chain.

Chair of WIEN’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Cecilia Aqua-Umoren, also addressed members at the AGM and commended the Network’s resilience, progress and expanding visibility across the energy sector. She said WIEN’s programmes, partnerships and advocacy efforts have reinforced its position as a leading voice for gender diversity and inclusion in Nigeria’s energy landscape. She reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to strengthening governance, supporting leadership development and ensuring that WIEN remains a platform where women thrive, lead and contribute meaningfully to sector-wide transformation.

As WIEN looks ahead to 2026, Fatayi-Williams urged members to continue setting bold goals and breaking barriers. She described WIEN as a movement for equality, excellence and the advancement of women in energy.

Other newly elected executive members are: Ihuoma Chukwuka (Board Secretary); Dorothe Eboh (Academy Director); Lola Oyenekan (Business Development and Publicity Director); Adebisi Adeola (Finance Director); Rita Obiageli Kwentoh (Sponsorship Director).

Also elected were Yetunde Odejobi (Vice President- Gas); Bassey Adie (Conferences and Partnership Director); Ifeoma Ukabiala (Vice President, Upstream); Damilola Owoloabi (Membership Director); and Sherifat Adegbenro (Vice President – Power and Renewables