The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has called for urgent and sustained action to address persistent gender inequality in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, warning that women remain excluded from critical opportunities shaping the industry’s future workforce.
The call was made on Thursday in Abuja by the ILO Country Director to Nigeria, Ms. Vanessa Phala-Moyo, during the third edition of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Women Convention.
Speaking at the event, themed “The Dynamic Woman: Shaping Tomorrow; Influence, Impact and Legacy,” Phala-Moyo said women continue to face systemic barriers to leadership and technical roles, despite increasing global attention to gender equality. She cautioned that without deliberate intervention, the sector risks marginalisingwomen and weakening its talent pipeline.
Phala-Moyo described gender equality in the industry as “more illusion than reality,” noting that women remain underrepresented in decision-making positions and that their contributions are frequently undervalued.
“Gender equality in the oil and gas sector remains more of an illusion than reality, as women continue to face systemic barriers to leadership and technical roles,” she said, adding that many women are excluded from opportunities that shape the industry’s future.
She identified key constraints on women’s advancement, including occupational segregation, restrictive social norms, wage inequality, and weak enforcement of labour laws. According to her, women are often concentrated in administrative roles, while men dominate technical and leadership positions.
Phala-Moyo also highlighted disparities in remuneration and career progression, noting that even when women secure roles in the sector, they typically experience slower advancement and unequal pay compared to their male counterparts.
She warned that the global energy transition could exacerbate these inequalities if inclusivity is not prioritised, as women and young people risk being sidelined from emerging opportunities.
“The energy transition must not leave women behind. Inclusive leadership is essential for fairness, improved policy outcomes, and resilient institutions,” Phala-Moyo said.
She called for stronger legislation, more robust enforcement of anti-discrimination policies, and the adoption of gender-responsive workplace practices. She also advocated increased participation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, and urged trade unions to adopt inclusive bargaining frameworks to improve workplace conditions.
Also speaking, Ms. Ada Mbanaso, National Chairperson of the PENGASSAN Women Commission, encouraged women to prioritiseimpact over titles. She urged greater collaboration through mentorship and inclusion, and called on women to leverage their voices to influence decision-making across workplaces and communities.
Mbanaso added that fostering a culture of support and leadership among women is critical to achieving meaningful and sustainable change within the industry.
