Emmanuel Addehin Abuja
In a recent push for greater gender equality in Nigeria’s mining sector, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has called for increased women’s inclusion, emphasizing the importance of ensuring women have a voice in the country’s extractive industries.
NEITI made this plea in a statement released in Abuja, urging collaborative efforts to dismantle the barriers that limit women’s participation and to create substantial opportunities for them throughout the sector. Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary of NEITI, made this call during the keynote address at the 6th Nkechi Isigwe Annual Lecture (NIAL), which was organized by the Association of Professional Women Engineers in Nigeria (APWEN) in Abuja.
Represented by Dr. Dieter Bassi, Director of Policy, Planning, and Strategy, Orji stressed the critical need for intentional measures to promote gender equity in an industry that has historically been male-dominated. “NEITI is focusing on gender equity and inclusion, particularly concerning women. The global conversation around women’s roles in the mining and steel sectors is escalating. A male-dominated industry that limits women’s access to employment, training, investment, and decision-making is not only unsustainable but counterproductive,” Orji pointed out.
Orji highlighted concerning employment statistics from NEITI’s latest reports for 2022 and 2023, noting the ongoing gender disparity within Nigeria’s extractive industries. In 2023, women represented only 16% of the 8,693 individuals employed in the sector, reflecting a slight decrease from the previous year’s 17%. “While we’ve seen an overall increase in employment in the sector, the low percentage of women indicates a critical gap that needs to be addressed. We must create pathways for women to take an active role throughout the entire value chain of the extractive industry,” he stated.
He underscored that women can excel in mining, but only if decisive and intentional actions are taken. “Companies need to implement policies that prioritize gender diversity and inclusion. It’s essential that we uplift and recognize women leaders in the sector to motivate the next generation,” he added.
In her remarks, Nkechi Isigwe, a member of the NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group and the founder of the annual lecture series, emphasized the abundant opportunities for women in oil, gas, and mining. She also stressed the importance of empowering youth, particularly in light of Nigeria’s youthful population. Dr. Adebisi Osim, current President of APWEN, echoed this sentiment, encouraging the industry to challenge gender stereotypes and create more pathways for women to succeed.
