…Other appointed Directors include Mr. Tope Oduseso, a top banker and the Group CEO of RichGreen Masters Group effective February 17, 2026.
FRI FEB 20 2026-theGBJournal| DEAP Capital, a leading Nigerian investment firm, has announced the appointment of Lamon Rutten to its Board of Directors, effective February 17,2026, a move seen as a strategic boost to the firm’s global outlook and investment expertise.
Rutten said he is pleased to join Deap Capital at this defining moment as it builds a structured, transparent, and institutionally aligned platform to connect global capital with high-quality minerals extraction and development opportunities across the continent.
Rutten, the founding Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Mining Exchange and the Mumbai Commodity Exchange (MCX), a respected authority in commodities markets and financial innovation, brings decades of international experience to the investment and advisory company.
”We are honoured to welcome Lamon Rutten, a seasoned veteran of global repute to our Board. His unparalleled experience in global commodities exchanges, structured trade finance, and market infrastructure development brings strategic depth to our transformation journey, said DEAP Chairman, Dr. Kenneth Olise.
The appointment signals DEAP Capital’s intention to deepen its footprint across emerging and frontier markets, leveraging Rutten’s extensive background in commodity finance, risk management, and market development.
His track record in shaping policy conversations and strengthening institutional frameworks is expected to enhance the firm’s strategic direction and governance standards.
With growing opportunities across Africa’s financial and commodities landscape, DEAP Capital said Rutten’s inclusion on the board aligns with its long-term growth ambitions.
Industry observers note that his global perspective and technical expertise could position the firm to navigate market volatility while unlocking new investment frontiers.
DEAPCAP also appointed Dr. Israel Ovirih, a valedictorian, certified finance and investment banking professional with over three decades of experience in banking, private equity, and capital markets as a Non-Executive Director effective February 17, 2026.
Other appointed Directors include Mr. Tope Oduseso, a top banker and the Group CEO of RichGreen Masters Group effective February 17, 2026. Tope has over three decades
combined experience in the Nigerian financial sector.
He brings financial discipline, governance oversight, and operational experience to DEAP Capital’s Board.
As part of the corporate repositioning, Mr. Francis Aniedi Ekeng also joins the board as Non-Executive Director effective February 17, 2026.
He is a seasoned business executive and serial entrepreneur with experience in real estate development, financial technology, telecommunications and commercial asset management across Eastern and Western Africa.
Mr. Ekeng pioneered telecom cell-site expansion across Africa in the early 2000s and most recently launched Numoni, a regulated reward-technology platform within the financial ecosystem.
DEAPCAP notes that with these appointments, it has deepened the quality of its Board composition in line with its recapitalisation roadmap and long-term strategy to evolve into a structured minerals financing and investment platform serving Nigeria, in the medium term, and the wider African continent, in the long term.
”Africa stands at the centre of the next global natural resource revolution, particularly in critical minerals essential for continued digitalization, energy transition and advanced technologies.” Rurren adds to underscore DEAP’s thinking.
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