Amina Mohammed Danmadami, an alumnus of ABU Zaria, is a Chemical Engineer with the Department of Petroleum Resource (DPR). She has two decades of cognate experience in Banking and Engineering. She started her career as a Banker before joining the DPR. She is the current Chairperson of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Abuja section; Member of SPE Nigeria Council; and Chair, Women Leadership Program Sub-Committee, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigerian Council. Danmadami, who loves solving puzzles and mentoring up-coming professionals, in this exclusive interview, bares her mind on the activities of SPE as well as the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
Excerpts:
Congratulations on your emergence as the Chairperson SPE Abuja Section. How has it been so far?
Alhamdulillah, it has been great. The good thing about SPE is that there is a strong governance structure, and a succession plan, so you are prepared for a role before you get there, you meet an effective team; so basically, you hit the ground running. There are a lot of resources also to support and grow you as a leader and you can always throw out a question or problem to the SPE community and get solutions.
What is the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), all about?
Society of Petroleum Engineers is a platform for Oil and Gas Professionals. It supports professionals working in the oil and gas exploration and production industry and students pursuing related degrees. SPE’s vision is to advance the oil and gas community’s ability to meet the world’s energy demands in a safe, environmentally friendly, responsible and sustainable manner.
The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) is a not-for-profit professional association whose more than 140,600 members in 144 countries are engaged in oil and gas exploration and production. SPE is a key resource for technical knowledge providing opportunities and exchanging information at in-person and online events and training courses, publications, and other resources. SPE maintains offices in Dallas, London, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Calgary, Moscow and Houston. SPE as the largest individual member organization is made up of engineers and scientists, among others.
What contributions have the SPE made to the energy industry in Nigeria?
In line with its vision, SPE has provided unparalleled insights, shared expertise, life-long learning and community strength to fuel the success of our members and the future of the industry. Members share and benefit from the unmatched expertise and diversity of SPE community as they continue their career journey. There are five SPE sections in Nigeria namely, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri, Benin, and Abuja. The Society of Petroleum Engineers Nigeria Council was established in 1987 and approved by the SPE International (SPEI) Governing Board to provide a framework to bring together all the sections. Under the umbrella of SPE Nigeria Council, sections pursue activities of common interests, namely: Annual Oloibiri Lecture & Energy Forum Series (OLEF), Annual Students Technical Conference and Exhibition (STSE), Catch Them Young (CTY), Nigeria Continuing Education Short Courses (NCESC) and Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE).
NAICE is the largest upstream Oil and Gas event in Africa held annually in Nigeria. It attracts industry practitioners at all levels, as well as key stakeholders. It is also the industry’s opportunity to learn, debate and challenge ideas to chart the right course towards a sustainable future for the industry.
Oloibiri Lecture Series & Energy Forum holds annually to commemorate the history of oil production in Nigeria with reference to the first oil well SHELL Oloibiri Well 1(one). Shell Petroleum Development Company has been the traditional sponsor of this event. The event discusses key issues affecting the Nigerian oil and gas sector. Through NAICE and Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum notable achievements have been recorded by the Society in shaping National policies such as Nigeria Content Development Policy; Gas flare Reduction Policy National Policy on Reserves Definition; Calculation; and Classification.
The Abuja Section of the SPE was established 10 years ago. What informed the decision to set up the Section?
SPE Abuja was established 10 years ago to provide a platform for professionals in the industry to exchange technical knowledge, Abuja being the seat of power and the growing presence of oil and gas institutions and companies. Secondly, key oil companies like Total, AGIP and Shell moved their liaison offices to Abuja. There was pressure from schools offering oil and Gas related courses seeking registration with the society. Additionally, we had student members that studied oil and gas outside the country coming back and settling in Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano. There was therefore the need for a section within proximity to benefit from SPE’s vast collection of resources and extensive experience.
What targets have you set to achieve for the time you will be in charge of the section?
To expand the scope of technical sessions to include key industry topics such as policy, management, economics, big data, analytics, robotics, internet of things and other non-traditional technical disciplines currently growing across our industry that are very relevant for the current climate of the industry. To organize outreaches, equip them with digital technologies, virtual field trips and increase their understanding of the value to society of the oil and gas industry as well as prepare them for the digital transformation towards grooming them to contribute to finding solutions to some of the global problems. I also intend to advance virtual delivery platforms for training and content delivery for our members. Essentially, it brings the industry to Abuja because most of SPE’s programs can potentially be delivered online, so that members can see firsthand the practical aspects of the industry from the comfort of their classes/offices. All these are geared towards increasing our membership by ensuring retention of members and engaging new companies. It is also to expand participation of information technology and other related companies, and hence their employees, in SPE activities through programming, exhibitions, sponsorship, and advertising.
What are the challenges that have constrained the SPE Abuja Section so far and what are you doing to overcome them?
Lack of awareness of the fact that it is an organization for all professionals in Energy not only oil and gas and that it is not only for petroleum engineers. There is currently a move at SPE international to do a change in name that will be reflective of what SPE represents.
Secondly, funding to conduct all the programs we want to deliver and sustain; and as you know SPE is a non-profit organization dependent on sponsorship for it to run. We are planning some innovative fund-raising events that will bring SPE to limelight and attract the necessary funds to drive our programs.
At this juncture I would like to thank PTDF for the support they have been giving to SPE Abuja over the years. They have made their facilities available to us for our monthly technical sessions and OLEF. I must also thank the DPR for allowing members to participate strongly, giving us resource persons to speak at our programs and having the Director/CEO himself in any program we invite him to.
You have been at the forefront of championing young people towards embracing engineering and science-related education. What is your motivation for doing this?
Young people are the bane of every society, they are the ones who will carry forward and improve on legacies. I don’t want to call them leaders of tomorrow because they are leaders today! They must be equipped with skills and understanding of the industry and how they can enhance operations as well as provide solutions to problems. Additionally, they are the ones that will demonstrate the many benefits of oil and gas in daily life, showcase industry contributions to sustainable development, and how technology advancements by the industry have been applied elsewhere.
Also, there is the need to think forward for Nigeria beyond transition to start carving out the role of Nigeria as a 360 degree leader within the global energy industry. To place Nigeria as a strategic leader in the role Africa will play in the energy space post transition, our young ones must be prepared to fill up the skills deficit that might arise as a result of the west scrapping oil and gas courses in their curricula. Oil and Gas will remain relevant for a long time!
For the females, to give to them what I wish I had. Growing up, I had hardly role models to look up to; it was not common to see a lady studying engineering. To let them know that you can be an engineer and still have a successful family life and you can also look good as well. Doing otherwise, discourages young ladies especially because they associate studying engineering and science related courses to the male gender. Most importantly is the need for diversity in the industry. We need to attract females who are ‘an untapped reservoir’ and also to get their perspective. When you don’t include females, you lose 50% knowledge you would have had. Studies by McKinsey, BGL have shown that companies who have women at the helm of affairs do better.
You are a role model for most young girls growing up to embrace the sciences, especially chemical engineering, a field that is perceived to be exclusively male. How were you able to distinguish yourself in that field?
I am still a work in progress! However, I had people who really encouraged me. I was the first female in my entire extended family to go to university. You know how extended northern families are. My parents, secondary school tutors, university lecturers, all encouraged me and made me know I could achieve whatever I set my mind to achieve. I have been mentored by the best in my organization DPR, senior members in SPE, and I cannot thank them enough!
Through God’s grace, I can overcome obstacles that come my way. One of the things I would always say is to have an open mind. When you are confronted with a situation always give it the best meaning and time. I have had the privilege of having great mentors wherever I found myself and I am an avid learner. I try to learn something from everyone I come across, young and old.
What would be your advice to young girls aspiring to take up careers in engineering or pursue STEM courses in the university?
My advice is that they must endeavor to enjoy Mathematics; have an open mind; be a lifelong learner; develop healthy habits, learn from everyone you meet and avoid carrying other people’s prejudices.
What is your take on the current state and future of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria particularly as regards the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), energy transition and renewable energy?
The PIA is a long-awaited welcome development and if implemented very well will bring a lot of good for the Nigeria oil and gas industry. We envisage it will provide the needed reforms to strengthen institutions. The regulatory and fiscal frameworks therein are designed to attract foreign investments into the industry/country. Yes, there is great concern about climate change with fossil fuels contributing about 70 percent of Green House Gases (GHG). However, the success of the energy transition and renewables is strongly dependent on the industry. We have the funds and the skilled man power to support it. We have brilliant professionals who can come up with innovative solutions to the climate problems. Energy transition provides many opportunities for the Nigerian oil, gas, and energy sectors. As it is now there is no effective replacement for petroleum in terms of producing materials. I would say we can reduce the use of petroleum in energy generation and continue using fossil fuels in solid form as materials until the coast becomes clear.