KEY POINTS
- Tony Elumelu has been named Chairman-designate of Seplat Energy, effective January 1, 2027.
- Effiong Okon will become CEO in August 2026 following the retirement of Roger Brown.
- The leadership changes form part of Seplat’s structured succession plan and long-term growth strategy.
Nigerian billionaire investor and Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, has been appointed Chairman-designate of Seplat Energy.
The appointment will take effect from January 1, 2027, according to a corporate announcement released on Tuesday.
The development is part of a structured leadership succession plan aimed at strengthening governance and ensuring continuity in the company’s long-term strategy under its “Roadmap 2030” agenda.
As part of the planned changes, Seplat Energy’s current Chief Executive Officer, Roger Brown, will retire on July 31, 2026, after 13 years with the company, including six years as CEO.
He will be succeeded by Effiong Okon, a veteran oil and gas executive with more than 35 years of industry experience, who is expected to assume office as CEO on August 1, 2026.
The company said the transition is designed to ensure operational stability and sustained growth across its upstream and gas operations.
Company Describes Transition as Strategic Growth Move
Seplat Energy said the leadership changes reflect its commitment to strengthening corporate governance and advancing its expansion strategy.
The firm noted that under Brown’s leadership, it completed major acquisitions and consolidated its position as one of Africa’s leading independent energy companies.
Elumelu’s appointment is expected to further support the company’s ambitions in Nigeria’s energy sector and its broader energy transition goals.
The announcement follows Elumelu’s acquisition of a 20.07 percent stake in Seplat Energy in a transaction valued at about $496 million.
In his remarks, he expressed readiness to lead the company into its next phase of growth, pledging to create value for shareholders and strengthen stakeholder confidence.
He also said Seplat’s governance structure aligns with his investment and leadership philosophy.
