At the Society of Petroleum Engineers Women Leadership Lecture Series (SPEWLLS) 2025, with the theme “March Forward: Advancing Equity and Creating Opportunities in STEM and Beyond,” Seplat Energy reaffirmed its leadership in promoting gender equity in STEM.
The event united young professionals, industry leaders, and changemakers to advocate for increased representation of women in STEM fields, at the Capital Club, Victoria Island Lagos on March 21, 2025.
The Chief Financial Officer of Seplat Energy Plc, Eleanor Adarelegebe, gave the keynote lecture and drew attention to the glaring gender gap in STEM, especially in the oil and gas industry, where women only make up 15% of junior-level positions and even fewer advance to leadership positions.
“At Seplat Energy, we are actively addressing these gaps through mentorship and sponsorship programmes designed to support women at the early to mid-levels of their careers,” said Adarelegebe. “By providing guidance on navigating cultural barriers, we create an enabling environment for female professionals to progress in STEM. Today, Seplat Energy proudly has five women on our 14-member board and four women in our 12-person senior management team. These numbers reflect the effectiveness of our mentorship initiatives and the remarkable contributions of Seplat’s women in STEM.”
She ended by emphasising the need for collective action and said: “Driving gender diversity in STEM requires the commitment of everyone, particularly those in leadership—both men and women—to ensure more in an innovative industry.”
The event also hosted a panel discussion, featuring leading industry voices, including Chioma Afe, Director of External Affairs and Social Performance, Seplat Energy, who highlighted the need to encourage young girls to pursue STEM education and provide visible role models to inspire future generations. “Innovation thrives in environments that embrace diverse perspectives,” she said. “To build a truly inclusive industry, we must start advocacy at the foundational level, encouraging young girls in basic education to explore STEM pathways
Addressing cultural barriers, Afe stressed the importance of male allyship. She remarked, “Men currently occupy most leadership spaces that women aspire to enter. Their support is crucial in fostering inclusive workplaces. However, women must also develop the competence needed to break these barriers.”
Additionally, she highlighted Seplat’s proactive approach to gender equity, noting that the company ensures that all perspectives are taken into account when making decisions. Among the significant initiatives she detailed are the Seplat Women Awesome Network, a structured mentorship network for female professionals, and a 40% female participation target for university freshmen with outstanding academic records. She also talked about the Seplat Teachers’ Empowerment Program, which has trained over 1,300 teachers, women from Delta and Edo making up 60% of the total. She concluded by celebrating the historic appointment of Seplat’s first female managing director for its Eastern asset.
The session ended with a resounding round of applause for Seplat Energy’s unwavering commitment to advancing women in STEM. As the official sponsor of SPEWLLS 2025, Seplat Energy is setting the standard for innovation, inclusivity, and a more fair future in STEM.
