Seplat Energy Reshuffles Leadership, Picks Tony Elumelu as Chairman-Elect
Seplat Energy Plc has announced a major leadership transition, appointing renowned investor and business leader Tony Elumelu as Chairman-Elect while naming seasoned oil and gas executive Engr. Effiong Okon as its new Chief Executive Officer.
The appointments form part of the company’s long-term succession strategy aimed at strengthening corporate governance, ensuring leadership continuity, and accelerating the delivery of its ambitious 2030 growth roadmap. Effiong Okon will officially assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on August 1, 2026, while Tony Elumelu is expected to take over as Chairman on January 1, 2027.
Okon will succeed Roger Brown, who is set to retire after 13 years of service to the company, including six years as CEO. During Brown’s tenure, Seplat Energy recorded significant growth through strategic acquisitions, operational expansion, and increased investment in Nigeria’s energy sector. Key milestones under his leadership included the acquisition of Eland Oil & Gas in 2019 and the landmark acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU) in 2024.
A respected industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience, Okon has held several strategic positions within Seplat Energy since joining the company in 2018. Most recently, he served as Managing Director of the ANOH Gas Processing Company, where he successfully led the project to achieve first gas production in January 2026. Prior to joining Seplat, he built an extensive global career with Royal Dutch Shell across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.
The company also confirmed that current Chairman Senator Udoma Udo Udoma will retire from the board at the end of 2026 after overseeing a critical phase of expansion and strategic transformation. His exit paves the way for Tony Elumelu to assume leadership of the board.
Elumelu’s emergence as Chairman-Elect follows the acquisition of a 20.07 percent stake in Seplat Energy by Heirs Holdings through Heirs Energies, making the investment group the company’s largest shareholder. The appointment is widely seen as a significant development that could further strengthen Seplat’s position as one of Africa’s leading indigenous energy companies.
Industry analysts believe the leadership changes position Seplat Energy for its next phase of growth, particularly as the company expands its footprint in oil, gas, power, and energy transition initiatives across Nigeria and Africa. With Elumelu providing strategic board leadership and Okon driving operational execution, stakeholders expect the company to sustain its growth momentum and deliver greater value to shareholders.
The transition underscores Seplat Energy’s commitment to strong governance, innovation, and long-term sustainability as it pursues its vision of becoming a globally competitive energy company.
