It was held at Four Points Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos and sponsored by global philanthropy giant, Ford Foundation, and supported by Nigerian multinational commercial bank, Access Bank.

Themed: ‘The SDGs and the Extractive Sector: Aligning Governance, Policies, and Practices,’ the Conference sought to harmonise the present condition of Nigeria’s extractive sector with global development goals through an evaluation of governance, policies, and their execution.

According to Bekeme Masade-Olowola, Chief Executive, CSR-in-Action, and Convener of SITEI, “CSR-in-Action’s mission is to facilitate collaboration, ensuring that governmental policies and mediating organisations play a pivotal role in enforcement. The transition to clean and renewable energy is driven not only by a commitment to public health but also by its potential to generate jobs and stimulate economic growth, creating a cleaner, more sustainable environment.”

Prominent and expert figures in attendance included Beatrice Eyong, Country Representative (Nigeria), UN Women and ECOWAS; Mr Dayo Okusami, Co-Head, Energy and Resource Practice at Templars; Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Group Head, Sustainability, Access Holdings Plc; Osayi Alile, CEO, Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation; Dr. Uwem Ite, Head, Community and Government Relations at Oriental Energy Resources Limited; Dayo Omolade, CEO, Hybrid Group.

Also present were distinguished luminaries such as Tengi George-Ikoli, Senior Officer, Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI); Mr Adamu Garba, COO, Nigerian Climate Innovation Center (NCIC);  Gamawa Murjanatu, Head, Business Ethics, NNPC; Oluwakemi Ajakaiye, Executive Director, AMPAK; Daniel Oladoja, Strategic Communications Lead, Global Strategic Communications; Dr Mina Ogbanga, Country Director/CEO, Centre for Development Support Initiative (CEDSI) and CSO Lead, NEITI; Adewole Lawal, Senior Manager, Sustainability at Mazars; and Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), who gave the keynote address virtually.

In the current global landscape, the imperative for environmental responsibility and a transition to cleaner energy sources is more evident than ever. As nations commit to international agreements like the Paris Agreement, the need for concrete actions becomes apparent.

While contributing to the first plenary session, which focused on the importance of energy transition for a cleaner and more sustainable world, Murjanatu Gamawa, Head of Business Ethics at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), reminded the audience that “Nigeria is a signatory to the Paris Agreement, and we must embrace this transition. NNPC [she said] is dedicated to prioritising natural gas as a transitional energy source and investing in renewable and cleaner energy alternatives, despite the current cost barriers.”

Dayo Okusami, also emphasised the practical significance of economic viability in policy implementation, particularly in the context of environmental policies and the energy transition. He stated that “Effective policy implementation pivots on economic viability that caters to both consumers and suppliers. Our dedication to this transition must exhibit a steadfast and enduring nature.”

The event is annually organised in partnership with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Ford Foundation, and Zenera Consulting, amongst other key institutions. It continues to extend its tradition of providing a pivotal platform for fostering high-level discussions to propel positive transformations and nurture an environmentally conscious extractive sector, even as it is now a year short of being a teenager.

The plenary sessions ended as the panellists proffered recommendations aimed at establishing robust institutions conducive to fostering economic growth.

CSR-in-Action (CiA) remains at the forefront of sustainability, advocacy, and the implementation of government policies.

With a commitment to driving change and fostering a more responsible and environmentally conscious extractive industry, CiA continues to lead the way in promoting sustainability and making a positive impact on society and the planet.

Ultimately, the Conference culminated with the unveiling of the research on the progress of implementing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) within host communities, focusing specifically on its implications for women within the host communities.

Since its enactment in 2021, the PIA hoped to address various endemic challenges and foster equitable development in the oil extractive regions in Nigeria. However, there is currently a lack of academic evidence regarding the actual impact of the Act almost two years after its enactment.

With this research, CiA presents a detailed analysis of the implementation of the PIA by oil companies in the three largest oil-producing states in the Niger Delta region – Akwa Ibom, Delta State and Rivers State.

The study specifically assesses gender equity in  PIA implementation, particularly the impact on women in oil-producing communities and the consequences of their inclusion or otherwise in decision-making processes within the industry. The executive summary is accessible here.

The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) when enacted in 2021, marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s history, signifying a concerted effort to address a myriad of challenges and promote equitable development in regions endowed with abundant natural resources.

However, scant research has been conducted to investigate the ramifications of this legislation, particularly in relation to its effects on the lives of individuals residing in Nigeria’s oil-producing regions, with a particular focus on women.

To bridge this knowledge gap, CSR-In-Action assumed the responsibility of investigating the extent to which the PIA has influenced the well-being of women in the affected communities.

Bekeme Masade-Olowola, Chief Executive of CSR-in-Action and Co-Convener of SITEI expressed her excitement about the report stating that;

“The PIA has been hailed as a game-changer, and this piece of research seeks to provide vital insights into its progress, potential, and challenges in its implementation, especially as it affects women, a key stakeholder group. We make recommendations for how this Act could be a tool for uniform, equitable, and robust development.”

Since its inception in 2012, the SITEI Conference has matured into a pivotal annual event within the extractive sector, providing a forum for key stakeholders, industry leaders, and community delegates to convene, exchange ideas, and collaborate on strategies aimed at ensuring a sustainable environment and industry.

The initiative has also given rise to other projects, including SITEI-Woman, the Earth Women Documentary, the Community and Human Rights (CAHR) Awards Africa, and the Community Engagement Standards (CES).

This year, the Conference will feature distinguished speakers, including His Excellency, Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwa-Olu; Ms Murjanatu Gamawa, Head of Business Ethics, NNPC; Beatrice Eyong, United Nations Women Country Representative to Nigeria; Dr Mina Ogbanga, Country Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Development Support Initiative (CEDSI); Mr Dayo Okusami, Co-Head, Energy and Resource Practice, Templars; Oluwakemi Ajakaiye, Executive Director, AMPAK; Dr Uwem Ite, Head, Community and Government Relations, ExxonMobil; David Omolade, Chief Executive Officer, Chieftex; and Andrew Lawal, Senior Manager, Sustainability at Mazars, amongst others.

Additionally, the event will encompass the esteemed Community and Human Rights (CAHR) Awards Africa, during which accolades are given to noteworthy individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions to national development, social justice, and inclusive engagement with communities in a manner that brings about positive transformations in lives.

SITEI is organised by CSR-in-Action Consulting (an international sustainability-focused firm with offices in ThunderBay, Ontario, Canada and Lagos, Nigeria), in collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Ministry of Environment, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Ford Foundation, and Zenera Consulting.

With the theme, “Holistic Inclusion in The Extractive Industries”, the conference sought to explore the possible reforms in critical sectors, with a focus on how the rights of suppliers, women, youth, business, and communities’ interests are advanced.

Stakeholders in the extractive industries are becoming increasingly aware of the need for the industries to demonstrate more structured action and transparency on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and CSR-in-Action has been a frontliner for years in facilitating sustainability through advocacy, training, and consultancy.

According to Bekeme Olowola, Chief Executive, CSR-in-Action, and convener of SITEI, “Equity was the principal consideration whilst developing the theme and thrust of this conference as we sought to examine how key stakeholders can benefit from the wealth of opportunities present or that may be created within the extractive industries. The conference is designed to meet the need to develop a safe space for these critical discussions, and we are convinced this event has taken the subregion one step closer to providing the solutions to the issues faced in the sector.”

The conference featured other notable industry experts such as Idris Musa, Director General/Chief Executive, Nigeria Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency NOSDRA; Alero Onosode, Chair, Diversity Social Working Group, The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB); Olayinka Mubarak, Group Head, Solid Minerals & Metals, Bank of Industry, and Ifeoma Uz’Okpala, Group Head, ESG and Other Non-Financial Risks, Bank of Industry.

Other participating dignitaries included Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Executive Director, SpacesForChange, and Hon. Dr. Okezie Kelechukwu, Executive Director, Neighborhood Environment Watch (NEW) Foundation who participated in panel discussions during the conference.

Meka Olowola, Chairman, SITEI Organizing Committee, while expressing his appreciation for the support the conference received from industry stakeholders, organizations and individuals said “The SITEI conference has continued to yield tangible all-year-round impacts in the extractive industries. We’ve seen it birth initiatives such as the Community Engagement Standards, which was developed to ensure smooth and effective interactions between oil and gas companies and their host communities; Earth Woman Documentary, which was created to highlight the plight of women in extractive communities; The Corporate Sustainable Investor Report (CSIR); and the Community and Human Rights awards.”

The conversations closed with panelists and speakers advising companies looking to begin their ESG journey to utilize resources such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Standards, United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and the CSR-in-Action Community Engagement Standards (CES).

“We look forward to deepening our commitment to inclusion during the second phase of the SITEI Earth Women program, and extending this to more underserved communities in Africa and Canada”, Olowola added.