Seplat Energy Names New CEO, Elects Tony Elumelu as Incoming Chairman
Seplat Energy announces Tony Elumelu as incoming chairman and Effiong Okon as CEO in a major leadership transition.
Seplat Energy Plc has announced Tony Elumelu as the company’s next chairman in a major leadership transition that will see veteran oil and gas executive Effiong Okon assume the role of chief executive officer.
The two appointments will drive the indigenous energy firm next phase of growth.
Elumelu will replace the outgoing chairman, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, who retires from the Board on December 31, 2026.
Udoma joined the Board in December 2023 and became Independent Chairman in April 2024, overseeing the successful integration of the MPNU acquisition and the development of Seplat Energy’s 2030 strategic plan.
Elumelu, who is in a familiar terrain is the founder and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, as the next Chairman of Seplat Energy, effective January 1, 2027.
Elumelu joined Seplat Energy’s Board in January 2026. Through Heirs Holdings, he is linked to a 20.07 per cent shareholding in the company. He is widely recognised for his investments across energy, banking, insurance, technology, hospitality, healthcare, and real estate sectors across Africa.
The company also disclosed on Tuesday that its current chief executive officer, Roger Brown, will retire from the position and step down from the Board on July 31, 2026, after a 13-year tenure with the company.
Brown joined Seplat Energy as chief financial officer in 2013 and played a key role in the company’s dual listing in 2014. He later became CEO in 2020, overseeing significant expansion initiatives, including the acquisitions of Eland Oil & Gas in 2019 and Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU) in 2024.
To succeed him, Seplat Energy has appointed Engr. Effiong Okon as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director with effect from August 1, 2026.
Okon brings more than 35 years of industry experience and has served in several leadership positions within Seplat Energy since joining the company in 2018.
He previously served as Operations Director, Director of New Energy, and most recently as Managing Director of the ANOH Gas Processing Company, where he led the project to first gas production in January 2026.
Prior to joining Seplat, Okon spent over two decades at Royal Dutch Shell, holding senior operational and technical leadership positions across Africa, Europe, the United States, and the Middle East.
Announcing the appointment, Seplat Energy said Okon’s extensive operational expertise and deep knowledge of the business would support the execution of its long-term growth strategy and Roadmap 2030 objectives.
Commenting on his retirement, Brown said he was proud of the company’s transformation into a leading African independent energy company known for financial resilience, strong governance, and shareholder value creation.
Incoming CEO Okon said his immediate priority would be the execution of Seplat Energy’s 2030 Roadmap and the development of a longer-term strategy aimed at unlocking the full value of the company’s portfolio.
Elumelu, who will take over as chairman in 2027, described the appointment as an honour and pledged to support the company’s next phase of growth while delivering sustainable value to shareholders.
Seplat Energy said the succession plan reflects its commitment to continuity, strong corporate governance, and long-term growth as it seeks to accelerate the development of its energy assets and strengthen its position as one of Africa’s leading independent energy companies.
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