WED JUNE 10 2026-theGBJournal| Seplat Energy Plc on Tuesday announced the appointment of billionaire investor and philanthropist Tony O. Elumelu as its next chairman, effective Jan. 1, 2027, as the Nigerian energy company unveiled a leadership succession plan aimed at supporting its long-term growth strategy.
Elumelu, who joined the Board in January 2026, is the Founder and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, which has a 20.07% shareholding in Seplat Energy.
Heirs Holdings is a diversified investment company, with interests across strategic sectors of the African economy, including energy, power, banking, insurance, technology, real estate, hospitality, and healthcare. Mr. Elumelu has a multi-decade track record of value creation in listed and non-listed entities.
“I am honoured to succeed Senator Udoma as Chairman in January 2027 and to lead the Board through Seplat Energy’s next phase of growth,” Elumelu said after was named Chair.
”I firmly believe in the critical role indigenous resources play in the economic transformation of Nigeria and Africa, and Seplat Energy’s culture of execution and governance aligns strongly with my own values,”
Mr. Elumelu is also a distinguished philanthropist, globally recognised as one of the leading voices on Africa’s transformation and governance agenda.
The Board believes this succession plan will support the Company’s strategic vision as it executes delivery of its 2030 plan and strives to accelerate the growth projects in its portfolio.
The company also said Chief Executive Officer Roger Brown will retire on July 31, 2026, ending a 13-year tenure that included serving as chief financial officer and later CEO.
Brown oversaw key acquisitions, including Eland Oil & Gas in 2019 and Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU) in 2024, helping transform Seplat into one of Africa’s largest independent energy producers.
Seplat named Engr. Effiong Okon as replacement for Brown. Okon’s appointment takes effect from 1 August 2026.
Okon is said to be deeply familiar with the organization having been with the Company since 2018, initially serving on Seplat Energy’s Board as Operations Director for four years, then as our New Energy Director and most recently as Managing Director of ANOH Gas Processing Company (AGPC), where he successfully drove the project’s execution to achieve first gas in January 2026.
Prior to joining Seplat Energy, Engr. Effiong cultivated a globally diverse operations portfolio during a distinguished career at Royal Dutch Shell spanning Africa, the USA, Europe, and the Middle East.
“I am delighted to be taking on this appointment at an important juncture. My immediate focus will be on ensuring the Company executes the 2030 Roadmap, alongside development of the long-term plan to ensure we deliver on the immense potential inherent in our portfolio,” Okon said.
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