Dominica Una is not just a brilliant Nigerian woman, but also a trailblazer in her field of Petroleum and Gas Engineering. She recently earned her PhD degree from the University of Port Harcourt, making her the first person in her family to achieve such a feat. She is also one of the rare Nigerian women who have attained this level of education in this male-dominated field. In this article, we will share her inspiring story, her challenges and her vision.
Dominica Una came from a modest background in Nigeria. Her father was a teacher and her mother was a trader. She had six siblings and they all had to work hard to make ends meet. She told LinkedIn that one of the events that shaped her life was when she was bitten by ants as a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 while collecting palm fruits in the bush. She said that this experience made her realize the importance of education as a means of escaping poverty and suffering.
“I made a vow that day that my kids would never have to go through what I’ve been through. My decision right there was education. I immediately and loudly declared, ‘I must go to school to the last level.’” she said.
Dominica Una pursued her education with zeal and passion. She enrolled at the University of Port Harcourt, South-East, Nigeria, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum and Gas Engineering. She continued her studies at the same university, where she got her Master’s degree in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering. She then applied for a PhD program in Petroleum and Gas Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt.
She encountered many obstacles during her academic journey, such as juggling her studies with her family duties, managing financial difficulties, handling academic stress and overcoming self-doubt. She said that she had to make many sacrifices, such as skipping social events, sleeping late and waking up early, and spending long hours in the lab.
However, she did not give up on her dream, as she persisted with courage, enthusiasm and faith. She also received support from her husband, 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, parents, siblings, mentors and friends who motivated her and cheered her on. She said that she was inspired by the stories of other successful women in STEM fields, such as Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dr Oby Ezekwesili and Dr Funmi Olopade.
After six years of hard work and dedication, Dominica Una finally completed her PhD program and defended her thesis successfully. She became the first doctor in her family and one of the few Nigerian women who have attained such a high level of education in Petroleum and Gas Engineering.
Dominica Una is more than an academic achiever, she is also a social activist who is passionate about empowering women and girls in STEM fields. She is the founder of Women Engineers Network (WEN), a non-governmental organization that aims to inspire, mentor and support women engineers in Nigeria. She is also a member of Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and Women in Energy Network (WIEN).
She has been awarded several prizes and recognitions for her outstanding contributions to the field of engineering and society at large. Some of them include:
- Best Graduating Student in Petroleum Engineering Department at University of Port Harcourt (2014)
- Best Graduating Student in Faculty of Engineering at University of Port Harcourt (2014)
- Best PhD Thesis in Petroleum Engineering Department at University of Port Harcourt (2021)
- Young Professional Award by Society of Petroleum Engineers (2021)
- Woman Engineer of the Year Award by Women Engineers Network (2021)
Dominica Una’s story is an inspiration to many young Nigerians who aspire to pursue higher education and excel in their chosen fields. She is a role model for Nigerian women who want to break barriers and stereotypes in STEM fields. She is a testament to the power of education, hard work and resilience.
She has received many congratulatory messages from her social media followers who celebrated her achievement and wished her more success. Some of them are:
- “Congratulations Dr Dominica Una! You are an inspiration to many young girls who want to pursue engineering as a career. You have made Nigeria proud!” – @jennifer_okeke
- “Wow! This is amazing! Well done Dr Dominica Una! You have set a record in your family and shown that nothing is impossible with God. You are a star!” – @david_ogbonna
- “I am so happy for you Dr Dominica Una! You have achieved your dream and proved that women can do anything they set their minds to. You are a trailblazer!” – @maryam_abdullahi
Dominica Una has expressed her gratitude to God and everyone who supported her throughout her academic journey. She has also shared her future plans and aspirations. She said that she wants to continue her research in the field of petroleum and gas engineering, as well as contribute to the development of the energy sector in Nigeria and Africa. She also hopes to mentor more women and girls in STEM fields and inspire them to achieve their goals.
“I am grateful to God for His grace and mercy upon my life. I am also thankful to my family, friends, mentors and colleagues who have been there for me all through. I dedicate this achievement to all the women and girls who are pursuing their dreams in STEM fields. You can do it! Don’t let anyone or anything stop you. You are the future of Africa!” she said.
Mervin Azeta is a Nigerian energy professional, engineer, and advocate who has achieved remarkable success in her field. She recently graduated with a first-class degree in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London, one of the world’s top universities for engineering and technology. She also won the Emerging Alumni Leader Award 2022 from the same institution, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the energy sector and society.
Azeta’s passion for engineering and energy started from a young age, when she witnessed the tragic death of her aunt due to a power outage during 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡. She vowed to solve the problem of energy access and sustainability in Nigeria and beyond. She pursued her bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Benin, where she graduated as the best student in her department and faculty. She then joined Schlumberger, one of the world’s largest oilfield service companies, as a completions field engineer. She worked on various projects in Nigeria, Congo, and the USA, gaining valuable experience and s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s.
However, Azeta wanted to learn more about the future of energy and how to drive innovation and reduce environmental impact. She applied for a master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Futures at Imperial College London, where she received a full scholarship from the Nigerian government. She excelled in her studies, completing her thesis on solar energy storage with distinction. She also participated in several extracurricular activities, such as mentoring young girls interested in STEM careers, organizing events for the African Society, and volunteering for various causes.
After graduating from Imperial, Azeta returned to Schlumberger as a product and service delivery manager for two business lines. She is responsible for operational excellence and business development across Nigeria and West Africa. She is also an active member of several professional associations and networks, such as the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), the World Petroleum Council (WPC), and the Women’s Energy Council (WEC). She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her achievements, such as the SPE Young Member Outstanding Service Award 2021, the WPC Future Leaders Award 2020, and the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 List 2019.
Azeta is not only a brilliant engineer, but also a role model and a leader. She is passionate about empowering women and youth in STEM fields, promoting gender equality and diversity, and advocating for sustainable development and social justice. She has spoken at various local and international events, sharing her insights and inspiring others to pursue their dreams. She has also been featured in several media outlets, such as CNN Africa, BBC World Service, Forbes Africa, New Scientist, and Hart Energy.
