Joan Nweke: Powering Africa’s Future Through Offshore Precision and Gender Inclusion
With more than two decades of expertise in the oil and gas industry, Engineer Joan Nweke has played a critical role in the successful execution of numerous engineering and infrastructure projects. Her proficiency extends to business analysis and development, project controls as well as management where she has consistently delivered results that align with her clients goals.
Her deep technical knowledge, coupled with strategic insights, has made her a trusted advisor for companies looking to navigate the complexities of the industry, deliver their mandate and achieve sustainable growth.
For Joan, Engineering wasn’t her first choice. She recounts, “My love and passion blossom as the years roll by. Over the years, my passion has matured into advocacy championing not just technical excellence, but also mentorship, inclusivity and building capacity for the next generation of engineers.”
Her core has been on Offshore Engineering which involves a great deal of precision and risk. But on her approach to balancing safety, efficiency, and innovation on site she discloses that, “In Offshore Environment Safety is an uncompromising commitment for every personnel. I foster a culture where every team member feels responsible for safety outcomes by proactive planning of activities and strictly adhering to global safety standards, being efficient means optimizing workflows, and leveraging technology. Innovation, for me, is about continuously learning and adaptation brings innovation.”
As a woman in a highly technical and male-dominated field, she had to assert her competence repeatedly earlier in her career. She reminisces that, “I chose not to be discouraged but to let my work speak louder than the stereotypes. I also leaned into mentorship; this really helped a lot because I now have someone, I can discuss my aspirations with.
Creating pathways for more women to not only enter but thrive in this space is a mission I take seriously. I currently serve as the Team Lead for Theme 2 of the Women in Engineering Committee under the Federation of African Engineering Organizations (WIE-FAEO). Our focus is on Engineering Workforce Capacity Building, with the goal of promoting female engineer retention and advancing women into leadership roles across the continent.”
Currently the global energy landscape shifts toward sustainability but Joan Nweke, the trailblazing offshore structural engineer stands at the intersection of innovation, impact, and advocacy.
Her commitment to designing solutions that not only meet rising energy demands but also safeguard the environment reflects a forward-thinking approach that the industry urgently needs. Beyond her technical expertise, she continues to champion capacity building, gender inclusion, and engineering excellence across Africa.
