The History of the Foundation

Engr. Dr. Patricia Nekpen Opene-Odili FNSE, FNICE, FNIM, FICIArb  is a distinguished engineer, mentor, and leader with an impressive track record of professional excellence and social impact. She is the Managing Partner of Saide Consultants Limited and the Founder of the Osaide for Girls in Science and Engineering Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering young girls and some boys in STEAM fields. Dr. Patricia Nekpen Opene-Odili is an Independent Non-Executive Director at Industrial and Medical Gases PLC (IMG) and a founding member of the Women in Energy Network (WIEN). She served as the President of the Association of Professional Women Engineers in Nigeria (APWEN) during the 2004/2005 session and is currently a Council Member and Board of Trustees (BOT) member of the organization.

As a trailblazer in the engineering profession, she has held various influential roles, including serving on the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and contributing as a member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). She is a Fellow of several prestigious institutions, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), the Nigerian Institute of Construction Industry Arbitrators (FICiarb), and the Nigerian Institute of Management (FNIM). Additionally, she is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), as well as the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD). Dr. Patricia Nekpen Opene-Odili is also recognized as the Pioneer President of the ExxonMobil Women Interest Network (WIN) Nigeria and a past Chairman of the University of Lagos Alumni Association (Lagos Branch, Oil & Gas Sector). Her dedication to mentorship and advocacy is reflected in her numerous leadership initiatives aimed at inspiring the next generation of engineers and energy professionals.

Born and raised in Lagos, Dr. Patricia Nekpen Opene-Odili is a proud member of the prestigious Benin Royal Family. She is known for her resourcefulness, dynamism, intellectual brilliance, and unwavering commitment to excellence. As a mentor, teacher, caregiver, and leader in the oil and gas industry, she has consistently demonstrated inspirational leadership and dedication to her field. Outside her professional life, Engr. Dr.Patricia Nekpen Opene-Odili is a devoted Christian who enjoys reading, traveling, and engaging in fitness activities, including tennis and regular workouts. She is an active member of the Ikoyi Club 1938 and is deeply committed to personal growth and community development.

THE OSAIDE TEAM

ENGR. AMALATE ANN JONATHAN OBUEBITE, Ph.D., FNSE, FNIPetE

Dr. Amalate Obuebite is a seasoned petroleum engineer, academic, and STEM advocate with over a decade of experience in engineering education and research. She is a Senior Lecturer at Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, where she also serves as Sub-Dean of Postgraduate Studies and Chair of the Faculty's Quality Assurance Committee. Her work focuses on enhancing teaching standards, promoting research excellence, and mentoring young engineers. She holds a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Calabar, an MSc in Petroleum Engineering from London South Bank University, and two PhDs—in Petroleum and Gas Engineering (2020) and Energy Economics (2024)—from the University of Port Harcourt. Her research specializes in green oilfield technologies, with over 30 publications and a patent on bio-based chemical additives for enhanced oil recovery. Dr. Obuebite plays active leadership roles in the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Nigerian Institution of Petroleum Engineers (NIPetE), and APWEN, where she champions STEM outreach, scholarships, and mentorship for girls. She is married to Hon. Jonathan Obuebite, Ph.D., and they have three children. In her leisure time, she enjoys singing, reading, and playing badminton.

Engr. Yetunde Aladeitan, PhD, FNSE, FNSChE

Dr. Yetunde Aladeitan is an accomplished engineer, educator, and STEM advocate with a distinguished career in academia, industry, and professional leadership. She holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, an M.Sc. in Oil and Gas Engineering from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, and a PhD in Petroleum Engineering from the African University of Science and Technology, Abuja. She is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in Engineering Management at the University of Hull, UK. A senior lecturer at the University of Abuja, Dr. Aladeitan also serves as a Director at NOVASPIRE Energy and Klensfield Environmental Services. She is a registered engineer with COREN and a Fellow of both the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (FNSChE). She is a member of several professional bodies, including SPE, NSChE, AIChE, APWEN, and SWE.

Dr. Aladeitan has held key leadership roles in NSE, APWEN, and SPE, and has served on numerous committees advancing engineering practice and policy in Nigeria. She is a frequent speaker at leading industry conferences such as NIES and NOG. She is married to Prof. Olanrewaju Aladeitan, and they are blessed with two children.

NGOZI EGBEINYON 

Mary is a dynamic and result-driven professional with a solid background in mass communication, administrative management, and public relations. With over 20 years of experience, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in media relations, corporate communications, project planning, and organizational administration. A graduate of Lagos State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and a Diploma from Osisatech Polytechnic, Ngozi has cultivated a career that bridges both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. She served for two decades as Executive/Administrative Secretary and Corporate Affairs/Media Officer with the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), where she led major initiatives such as She Engineer, Invent It Build It, and STEAM-based projects across multiple Nigerian states.

Ngozi has also held key roles in the oil and gas sector and enterprise management, notably as Head of Admin/Human Resources at P&V International Ltd and Manager at Runs and Trails Enterprises, overseeing multi-outlet operations, merchandising, and data systems. Her international exposure includes participation in global conferences such as ICWES in South Korea and France, and she holds certifications in Human Resource Management, Bookkeeping, and PMP fundamentals. Ngozi is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and is passionate about promoting STEAM education, particularly for girls. With strong communication skills, a collaborative spirit, and a deep commitment to innovation and growth, she is positioned to add value.

EKWEM OSASOGIE is an architect, creative thinker, and project lead with a passion for transforming ideas into thoughtful, purposeful spaces. With over a decade of experience in architectural design, technical documentation, and community-based development, she brings both precision and imagination to every project she works on. she holds a BSc and MSc in Architecture from Covenant University, and her journey has taken her across private architecture firms, nonprofit initiatives, and remote design collaborations. Whether sketching concepts, preparing detailed 3D roof models using Aurora LIDAR, or coordinating multi-team schedules, she thrives on finding smart, functional solutions that serve both people and purpose.