AEW2024: Improved Workforce for Women and Youth Inclusion Will Drive Africa’s Industrialization – Verheijen
By Ndubuisi Micheal Obineme
Olu Verheijen, Special Adviser on Energy to Nigeria’s President, has called for an improved workforce for women and youth inclusion to address critical issues surrounding energy poverty and drive Africa’s industrialization.
She made this known in her opening address at the African Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, while speaking on the theme “The Future of Energy: Shaping the Workforce of Tomorrow”.
In her words, Verheijen underscored the need for African leaders to look beyond traditional hiring practices and instead attract individuals who are not only skilled but also driven by the boldness and creativity needed to confront the sector’s challenges in the 21st century.
She explained that such a workforce could ensure that energy in Africa transitions from being a constraint to a powerful tool for driving industrialization and sustainable development across the continent.
According to her, it will take credible amounts of human energy and a diversity of talent and expertise to enable Africa to adapt to these rapidly evolving and often unpredictable scenarios and circumstances.
She said, “We are the ones who will determine the outcome of the delicate balance between energy security, affordability, and sustainability for this continent.
Verheijen further expressed conviction that one of the most important ways in which African leaders can shape tomorrow’s African energy workforce is to welcome a new crop of talent, especially women, and young people, who are equipped with the fresh perspectives and bold energy to design and implement radical new solutions to lingering problems.
“While efforts to attract women into STEM and the energy sector are important, attraction alone isn’t enough, retention and advancement to senior levels are equally crucial.
“The real differentiator for women breaking through from mid-level to executive roles is sponsorship. Women need powerful advocates who actively support their growth and position them for opportunities and ensure their representation at the highest levels,” She noted.
Speaking further, Verheijen shared a personal story that highlights the bold approach Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has taken toward leadership and reform.
“When President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, he was determined to reshape Nigeria’s future through transformative governance. Known for his bold reforms as Governor of Lagos State, Tinubu assembled a team that reflected his vision for innovation and inclusivity.
“In a significant departure from convention, I was appointed—an unconventional choice for a cabinet-level position as Special Adviser on Energy.
“President Tinubu’s choice defied the traditional Nigerian approach, which typically favors more experienced, older, and politically connected men for such roles.
“Instead, he entrusted a young technocrat with global experience and a background in renewables, oil, and development finance, to spearhead critical energy reforms,” she explained.
Verheijen further stated that her unique perspective, shaped by her experience in an international oil company, renewable investments across Africa, and board-level work in a $14-billion development finance institution, exemplifies Tinubu’s belief in doing things differently to drive impactful change.
“My story”, she noted, “is a testament to the power of sponsorship—a veteran leader recognizing and empowering new talent to bring fresh solutions to Nigeria’s energy sector.”
According to her, as a professional in energy himself, Tinubu took a bold step, empowering a young woman to head one of the most ambitious reform agendas Nigeria’s energy sectors has seen in decades.
Verheijen said, “That opportunity goes beyond symbolism; it is a responsibility they embrace with urgency and determination, striving to position this administration as the most impactful in Nigeria’s recent history.
“Because of this landmark bet on us, we are determined and pour everything into ensuring that this Presidency ends up far more consequential in reforming and repositioning Nigeria’s energy sector, than any other presidential administration since democracy returned to Nigeria twenty-five years ago.”
“That sponsorship has long enabled male leaders to dominate top roles, not because of superior qualification but due to entrenched networks,” Verheijen noted.
She added that with the President’s strong backing, her team is working tirelessly to meet the ambitious targets set before them, knowing their success could open doors for more women and young people across Africa.
Special Adviser on Energy to Nigeria’s President also explained that the opportunities that she and her team have been granted will hopefully pave the way for countless young women across Africa who are ready to step forward and demonstrate their capabilities.
She emphasized that if similar stories are replicated across the continent, with leaders offering women and young professionals equal opportunities to drive change, the longstanding gender gaps will be significantly narrowed, driving progress in every sector.
Verheijen revealed that integrating the perspectives, skills, and drive of women—who make up half of Africa’s population—is essential for building the continent’s future.
“To realize the Africa we dream of, we must bring women fully into the fold,” she said. “Our countries will be better for it, and our societies stronger.”
