- Renewed Hope USA has urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint more women to leadership roles in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector to drive innovation, inclusion, and economic growth.
- The group argues that expanding women’s participation is critical for innovation, sustainability and long-term economic growth.
A group linked to Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Renewed Hope USA, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritise women for leadership roles in the oil and gas sector. The group said the move could help unlock Nigeria’s wider economic potential.
The group made the call during the APC Economic Conference 2026 in New York. Participants discussed strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s energy sector through inclusive growth policies.
At the conference, Ambassador Khairat Animashaun-Ajiboye, Secretary of Renewed Hope USA, highlighted the importance of women in Nigeria’s energy future. She said women have the capacity to drive innovation, sustainability and economic growth. She urged policymakers and industry leaders to strengthen diversity and inclusion across the sector.
Currently, women make up about 18 to 22 per cent of Nigeria’s oil and gas workforce. Only a small number hold executive or senior decision-making positions. Industry programmes such as the Women in Oil and Gas Intervention Fund and Women in Nigeria’s Gas Sector initiative aim to close this gap.
Furthermore, Animashaun-Ajiboye said stronger gender balance could support job creation and emissions reduction. She added that greater inclusion could also support sustainable economic growth. She linked these outcomes to Nigeria’s growing focus on gas development and renewable energy expansion.
To improve participation, conference experts recommended several actions. These include gender-inclusive hiring policies and structured mentorship programmes. They also recommended expanding STEM education opportunities for girls. In addition, they called for stronger policy frameworks to support women in energy careers.
Meanwhile, Emeka Molokwu called on party leaders to strengthen governance continuity frameworks. Similarly, Hakeem Ibikunle Tijani urged Nigerians in the diaspora to share technical knowledge. He also encouraged the creation of skills development centres to support national development.
APC leaders at the conference praised diaspora engagement in Nigeria’s development. They also acknowledged diaspora support for the administration’s long-term economic and governance agenda.