Promise Garba, Abuja
The Federal Government has affirmed its commitment to breaking down the barriers preventing women from fully participating in Nigeria’s gas economy through the Enhancing Participation of Women in Nigeria’s Gas Sector (WINGS) Strategy — a key component of the PowerHer774 pillar under the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions (RH-SII774) of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.
The Stakeholders’ Co-Creation Workshop on Women in Nigeria’s Gas Sector (WINGS), which held in Abuja, on 10th October 2025, convened an unprecedented coalition of government leaders, legislators, private sector players, and development partners — all joining hands to advance women’s inclusion and economic empowerment across Nigeria’s gas value chain.
The event, cohosted by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with The Federal Ministries of Petroleum Resources(Gas), The Federal Ministry of Regional Development , Office Of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy and the Association of Women in LPG.
Delivering her keynote address titled “Addressing Energy Poverty through the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions – 774,” the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hon . Imaan Sulaiman- Ibrahim fsi underscored that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Renewed Hope Agenda is ensuring women are not left behind in the nation’s energy transformation.
“Our goal is to move women from passive energy users to active stakeholders — owning micro-plants, managing distribution networks, and driving Nigeria’s clean cooking revolution,” she said. “Energy access is not just about power; it’s about equity, opportunity, and dignity. When a woman gains access to clean energy, she gains time, health, income, and a voice in the economy.” The Minister further noted that WINGS builds on the Ministry’s earlier interventions in LPG cylinder distribution and the establishment of the Nigerian Women LPG Steering Committee, consolidating these efforts into a five-pillar strategy that institutionalizes women’s participation across the gas value chain. These five strategic pillars include financial access and investment, enterprise and technology integration, workforce development, community engagement, and policy reform — designed to drive clean energy adoption, strengthen local economies, and advance Nigeria’s just energy transition.
While Commending the Minister for Women Affairs on the visionary plan to push Nigerian women to the frontlines of empowerment, The Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Ph.D, Minister stressed that while women are the backbone of Nigeria’s domestic energy use, their participation in the gas value chain remains largely confined to the consumer end, and they are underrepresented as entrepreneurs, technicians, innovators, and strategic asset owners. The Minister asserted that enhancing women’s participation is a strategic economic imperative that must change to build a resilient and inclusive energy economy, adding that every empowered woman contributes directly to Nigeria’s journey toward a trillion-dollar economy. He affirmed that In alignment with the framework of Nigeria’s Decade of Gas (2021–2030), his Ministry’s stands ready to collaborate to ensure women are not just beneficiaries of gas programs but the architects of Nigeria’s clean energy future.
In his Own Remarks , the Honourable Minister of State for Regional Development, H.E. (Hon.) Uba Maigari Ahmadu, commended the initiative and announced immediate institutional support for its adoption in the Northern regions of the Country.
“I will be directing the North-East Development Agency and all the other Regional Agencies to incorporate the WINGS initiative immediately into their action plans,” he declared. “You have my full support, and I am confident that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, Nigerian women will rise to the greatest heights.”
Engr. Abubakar Momoh, Minister for Regional Development affirmed Commitment to advancing women. When we empower our women, we empower our entire nation. We must come together through this platform to push women farther and higher. There is a need to promote gender governance in the gas sector there is abundance of evidence that having women in executive position and the board of organisation can contribute significantly to stronger industrial performance
Other partners also expressed keen support of the WINGS initiative as a practical framework for advancing women’s leadershipentrepreneurship, and workforce participation in the energy sector.
The National Coordinator of the Decade of Gas, Mr. Ed Ubong expressed keen optimism for the strategy as it aligns with National Gas and LPG Development Plans, as Nigeria has adopted LPG as its transition fuel.
While Ms Joy Shaiyen, National Coordinator for Association of Women in LPG further buttressed the need for such a strategy that really provides a clear path for women to succeed in the space.
The workshop harvested input from a cross section of participants which concluded with shared commitment to advancing women across the gas sector, while defining the roles of government, regulators, financiers, users and industry actors in adopting and scaling up the initiative.
In her Remarks , the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs Social Development Dr Maryam Ismaila Keshinro affirmed that the Ministry of Women Affairs is then custodian of all the policies that promote and advance women and will continue to strive for implementation of these important instruments. She called on partners to throw their support beside the Honourable Minister as she leads the charge for Nigerian Women’s total economic empowerment.
Reaffirming the Ministry’s resolve, Honourable Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated:
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not about promises; it is about people, progress, and possibility — lighting homes, energizing businesses, and renewing hope one community at a time.” Under this administration, our vision is To see women billionaire entrepreneurs emerging in massive numbers across the gas sector and every-other sector.
This workshop which was also supported by Private Sector Partners including Newbury Energy, Arcus Energy, Genergo Energy, and Mutual Commitment Company was the first of its kind.
