Seplat Energy Plc has appointed Tony Elumelu as a non-executive director, reshaping its board after a recent change in shareholding. The appointment takes effect from Jan. 22, the company said in a statement issued by its Director, Legal and Company Secretary, Mrs. Edith Onwuchekwa.
At the same time, Seplat announced the resignation of Mr. Olivier Cleret de Langavant as a non-executive director, also effective Jan. 22. Mr. Langavant had served on the board as a nominee of Etablissements Maurel et Prom SA, the French oil and gas company that recently sold its 20.07 percent stake in Seplat Energy to Heirs Holdings Ltd. and Heirs Energies Ltd., entities affiliated with Mr. Elumelu.
The board expressed appreciation for Mr. Langavant’s service and welcomed Mr. Elumelu, describing the changes as part of the company’s evolving governance structure following the transaction.
Seplat’s chairman, Mr. Udoma Udo Udoma, praised Mr. Langavant’s contributions during his six-year tenure. “His expertise and commitment have been instrumental in driving our strategic initiatives,” he said, adding that the board was grateful for his role in supporting the company through a period of growth and operational development.
Mr. Udoma said the board looked forward to working with Mr. Elumelu, citing his experience across energy, finance, and infrastructure. “We warmly welcome Mr. Elumelu to the board and look forward to leveraging his wealth of experience and leadership as we continue to pursue sustainable growth and value creation for all stakeholders,” he said.
Mr. Elumelu is one of Africa’s most prominent business leaders, with investments spanning energy, power, banking, insurance, real estate, hospitality, and healthcare. He is the founder and chairman of Heirs Holdings, a diversified investment group, and also serves as chairman of United Bank for Africa Group, Heirs Energies, and Transcorp Group. Transcorp’s listed subsidiaries include Transcorp Power and Transcorp Hotels Plc.
Beyond business, Mr. Elumelu is known for his philanthropic work through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which he established in 2010 to support entrepreneurship across Africa. The foundation operates in all 54 African countries and has supported thousands of young entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, and seed funding.
His work has earned international recognition, including being named among TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2020. In Nigeria, he was awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic in 2022. He also sits on several international advisory bodies, including UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council and the International Monetary Fund’s Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth.
Seplat Energy said it was confident that Mr. Elumelu’s experience and perspective would support its strategic objectives and strengthen its focus on sustainable growth. The company operates in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, with activities spanning upstream production and gas processing, and has increasingly positioned natural gas as a key component of its long-term strategy.
Mr. Langavant joined Seplat’s board on Jan. 28, 2020, during a period of significant strategic activity. The company said he provided valuable technical and strategic guidance, particularly in relation to upstream operations, and played a role in supporting growth initiatives during his tenure. His resignation, Seplat said, followed Maurel et Prom’s exit as a shareholder.
The board changes highlight the broader transition under way at Seplat Energy as ownership, governance, and strategy continue to evolve. With indigenous investors playing a larger role in Nigeria’s energy sector, board composition and governance are increasingly viewed as central to execution and long-term value creation.
Seplat Board Reshaped With Elumelu Appointment
Seplat Energy Plc has appointed Tony Elumelu as a non-executive director, reshaping its board after a recent change in shareholding. The appointment takes effect from Jan. 22, the company said in a statement issued by its Director, Legal and Company Secretary, Mrs. Edith Onwuchekwa.
At the same time, Seplat announced the resignation of Mr. Olivier Cleret de Langavant as a non-executive director, also effective Jan. 22. Mr. Langavant had served on the board as a nominee of Etablissements Maurel et Prom SA, the French oil and gas company that recently sold its 20.07 percent stake in Seplat Energy to Heirs Holdings Ltd. and Heirs Energies Ltd., entities affiliated with Mr. Elumelu.
The board expressed appreciation for Mr. Langavant’s service and welcomed Mr. Elumelu, describing the changes as part of the company’s evolving governance structure following the transaction.
Seplat’s chairman, Mr. Udoma Udo Udoma, praised Mr. Langavant’s contributions during his six-year tenure. “His expertise and commitment have been instrumental in driving our strategic initiatives,” he said, adding that the board was grateful for his role in supporting the company through a period of growth and operational development.
Mr. Udoma said the board looked forward to working with Mr. Elumelu, citing his experience across energy, finance, and infrastructure. “We warmly welcome Mr. Elumelu to the board and look forward to leveraging his wealth of experience and leadership as we continue to pursue sustainable growth and value creation for all stakeholders,” he said.
Mr. Elumelu is one of Africa’s most prominent business leaders, with investments spanning energy, power, banking, insurance, real estate, hospitality, and healthcare. He is the founder and chairman of Heirs Holdings, a diversified investment group, and also serves as chairman of United Bank for Africa Group, Heirs Energies, and Transcorp Group. Transcorp’s listed subsidiaries include Transcorp Power and Transcorp Hotels Plc.
Beyond business, Mr. Elumelu is known for his philanthropic work through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which he established in 2010 to support entrepreneurship across Africa. The foundation operates in all 54 African countries and has supported thousands of young entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, and seed funding.
His work has earned international recognition, including being named among TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2020. In Nigeria, he was awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic in 2022. He also sits on several international advisory bodies, including UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council and the International Monetary Fund’s Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth.
Seplat Energy said it was confident that Mr. Elumelu’s experience and perspective would support its strategic objectives and strengthen its focus on sustainable growth. The company operates in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, with activities spanning upstream production and gas processing, and has increasingly positioned natural gas as a key component of its long-term strategy.
Mr. Langavant joined Seplat’s board on Jan. 28, 2020, during a period of significant strategic activity. The company said he provided valuable technical and strategic guidance, particularly in relation to upstream operations, and played a role in supporting growth initiatives during his tenure. His resignation, Seplat said, followed Maurel et Prom’s exit as a shareholder.
The board changes highlight the broader transition under way at Seplat Energy as ownership, governance, and strategy continue to evolve. With indigenous investors playing a larger role in Nigeria’s energy sector, board composition and governance are increasingly viewed as central to execution and long-term value creation.