The appointment of Engr. Effiong Udofia Okon as Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy Plc signals the beginning of a defining new chapter for one of Africa’s leading indigenous energy companies. Assuming office on August 1, 2026, following his appointment by the Board in June, Okon steps into the role with more than three decades of international leadership experience and an unwavering commitment to advancing Seplat’s long-term growth ambitions while strengthening Nigeria’s energy future.
In his first official message as Chief Executive Officer, Okon expressed profound appreciation to the Board of Directors and shareholders for the confidence reposed in him, while acknowledging the dedication of employees, investors, joint venture partners, regulators, host communities, contractors, business partners and the company’s former leadership, particularly immediate past CEO Roger Brown, whose stewardship helped position Seplat Energy as one of the continent’s most respected indigenous energy companies.
For Okon, the future is firmly anchored on execution. He reaffirmed Seplat Energy’s commitment to delivering the objectives outlined in its 2026–2030 Business Plan and Capital Markets Day commitments, emphasizing profitable growth built on safety, operational discipline and responsible resource development. Central to this vision is accelerating the monetisation of the company’s hydrocarbon assets, expanding its fast-growing gas business and creating enduring value for shareholders, communities and the Nigerian economy.
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Beyond executing current priorities, the new CEO has already set his sights on the company’s next strategic evolution. He revealed that Seplat Energy is preparing a new corporate strategy from 2027 that will shape the company’s next phase of transformation and strengthen its position in an energy landscape that continues to evolve rapidly.
“I am optimistic about the opportunities ahead,” Okon said. “With our people at the centre, and guided by strong governance, strategic clarity and disciplined execution, we will continue to unlock Seplat’s limitless potential. The next chapter starts now.”
That optimism is backed by an exceptional career spanning over 35 years across the global energy industry. Widely recognised as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished energy executives, Okon brings an uncommon blend of technical expertise, commercial insight and strategic leadership across the oil, gas, power and emerging energy sectors.
Since joining Seplat Energy in 2018, he has consistently played a pivotal role in driving operational excellence and strategic expansion. As Executive Director of Operations, he championed a culture of continuous improvement, enhancing asset reliability, production efficiency and safety performance across the company’s operations. Later, as Director of New Energy, he became one of the key architects of Seplat’s transition strategy, leading investments in midstream gas infrastructure and integrated power solutions that support Nigeria’s decarbonisation agenda while strengthening domestic energy security.
Among his most significant achievements was his leadership as Managing Director of ANOH Gas Processing Company Limited, Seplat’s joint venture with NNPC Limited. Under his stewardship, the landmark 300 million standard cubic feet per day ANOH Gas Processing Plant successfully achieved first gas in January 2026, a milestone widely regarded as transformational for Nigeria’s domestic gas supply and a major pillar of Seplat’s gas-led growth strategy.
Before assuming the role of CEO, Okon also served as Director of Projects, overseeing the delivery of some of Seplat Energy’s most strategically important capital investments, reinforcing the company’s reputation for disciplined project execution and operational excellence.
Prior to joining Seplat, Okon built an outstanding 26-year international career with Shell, serving in senior leadership positions across Nigeria, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. His expertise spans petroleum engineering, reservoir management, field development, production operations, asset optimisation, project delivery, operational excellence and large-scale organisational transformation across complex onshore, offshore, deepwater and integrated gas assets.
His global experience includes serving as Vice President for Cost Leadership and Continuous Improvement in the Netherlands and General Manager for Deepwater and Offshore Assets in Nigeria. During his tenure with Qatar Shell, he served as Deputy Vice President Technical and Manager of the North Field, playing a critical leadership role in commissioning and early production activities for the Pearl Gas-to-Liquids Project, the world’s largest GTL facility, alongside Qatar Gas LNG Trains 7 and 8, two of the industry’s most significant mega-projects.
Across every assignment, Okon has earned a reputation for visionary leadership, disciplined execution and the ability to lead diverse, multidisciplinary teams through complex operational environments. His leadership philosophy combines strategic thinking with commercial discipline, operational excellence, innovation and a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of energy professionals.
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His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s energy industry, where indigenous operators are expected to play an increasingly central role in driving production, expanding domestic gas utilisation and supporting the nation’s energy transition ambitions. With extensive international experience and an impressive record of delivering transformational projects, Okon is well positioned to strengthen Seplat Energy’s leadership across Africa’s energy landscape while accelerating its vision of becoming the continent’s leading indigenous energy company.
A graduate of the University of Benin, Engr. Okon has further honed his executive leadership through advanced programmes at IMD Business School in Lausanne and Harvard Business School in Boston. He is a Fellow of the Energy Institute UK, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, a registered member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria and a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
As Seplat Energy embarks on its next chapter under his leadership, the message from its new Chief Executive Officer is both confident and ambitious. Guided by strategic clarity, strong governance and the strength of its people, the company is positioning itself not only for sustained business growth but also to play a defining role in shaping Nigeria’s evolving energy future.
