Top Sustainability Professionals, Business Experts Set to Grace Annual Sustainability in Extractive Industries Conference

CSR-in-Action Group, an international organisation that facilitates systems for ethical business and development, is set to host captains of industry at the 12th annual Sustainability in the Extractive Industries (SITEI) Conference on Tuesday, 31 October 2023, at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria.

Themed ‘The SDGs and the Extractive Sector: Aligning Governance, Policies and Practices,’ the event seeks to delve into the intricate interplay between the extractive sector and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  By exploring the alignment of governance frameworks and policy flux the Conference endeavours to unravel new paradigms for harmonising industrial pursuits with the urgent demands of sustainable advancement. Against the backdrop of Nigeria’s bustling economic landscape, attendees will convene to decipher the multifaceted relationships linking industries like mining, oil and gas and agriculture to the broader canvas of global development objectives.

Expected reputable speakers from government and industry include, His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Elohor Aiboni, the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited; Dr. Abdulrasaq Garba, the Director-General of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency; Dr. Mina Ogbanga, the Country Director and CEO of the Centre for Development Support Initiative (CEDSI); Dr. Uwem Ite, Head of Community and Government Relations at Oriental Energy Resources Limited; Damilola Ogunbiyi, the CEO and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All; Bankole Oloruntoba, the CEO of the Nigeria Climate Innovation Center and Oluwakemi Ajakaiye, Executive Director of Ampak Nigeria Limited and Board Member of the Nigeria Chapter of the African Circular Economy Network (ACEN-NG) among others. They will lead discussions that explore the links between the SDGs and the extractive industries, especially in the Nigerian context.

The Chief Executive of CSR-in-Action and convener of the Conference, ‘Bekeme Olowola, expressed her excitement about the event, stating that “There is an urgent need to address socio-economic disparities, environmental concerns, and other historical governance concerns within the extractive sector. Aligning with the globally recognised SDGs will attract sustainable investment, foster social cohesion, and reflect Nigeria’s local and international commitment to responsible practices and equitable growth, ultimately steering the nation towards a more prosperous and sustainable future.”

SITEI Conference is an annual workshop organised by CSR-in-Action in collaboration with key industry stakeholders, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (FMMSD), the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ford Foundation, and others, to facilitate a significant exchange of innovative ideas.

For the past 12 years, the SITEI Conference has inspired change and initiated various projects, such as passing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and its attendant Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), SITEI-Woman, which promotes gender equity in the sector and the industry governance compass, the Community Engagement Standards (CES).

The SITEI Conference will be held alongside the Community and Human Rights (CAHR) Awards Africa, which spotlights and celebrates deserving individuals and organisations that have made significant, independent contributions to society across Africa.