… calls for bold human capital strategies

Sahara Group revealed that implementing deliberate and innovative human capital strategies is crucial to driving sustainable growth and enhancing the competitiveness of Africa’s energy sector amid global energy security challenges and emerging opportunities.

Emilomo Arorote, Group Head, Human Resources, at Sahara Group, stated this speaking at the 2025 Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) Annual International Conference & Exhibition.

According to her, energy professionals’ curiosity, competence, and courage to act, remain the most powerful lever for transformation in a transitioning world.

Speaking on the theme “Revitalizing the Nigerian Petroleum Exploration and Production Strategies for Energy Security and Sustainable Development,” Arorote said, “Innovation in our industry has never been about systems alone, it always begins with people.”

Highlighting the indispensable role of human ingenuity in shaping the industry’s future, she said Sahara remained committed to driving transformative human capital development as a cornerstone for Africa’s energy sustainability.

“At Sahara, we have seen how curiosity transforms into capability when young professionals start asking the right questions.

“A remarkable portion of our breakthroughs, including the landmark OKOS-04L well intervention in OML-148, were driven by young teams who dared to challenge convention and applied fresh thinking to complex problems.”

Arorote said the next frontier of the industry will depend not only on technology but also on the mindset of the people driving it.

“As we navigate the energy transition from gas-to-power integration to automation and data-driven operations, the future will belong to those who combine curiosity with patience and precision.

“The young professionals who will redefine Africa’s energy story are those who are willing to learn deeply, think differently, and act decisively,” she said.

Arorote said Africa’s energy sector needs to build sustainable systems to support mentorship and knowledge transfer to younger professionals to achieve robust and globally competitive energy operations and impact.

“Mentorship is a two-way bridge that allows both emerging and seasoned professionals to learn, adapt, and grow together, blending the wisdom of experience with the ingenuity of youth.”