By Bassey Udo
Seplat Energy PLC, one of Nigeria’s most successful indigenous oil and gas companies, has announced the appointment of the former Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Limited, Basil Omiyi, as its Non-Executive Chairman, Board of Directors.
Omiyi will succeed ABC Orjiako, who on Tuesday he was stepping down from his position as the Chairman of the company and proceeding on retirement after 13 years.
Seplat’s Company Secretary, Edith Onwuchekwa, who announced Omiyi’s appointment inna statement on Thursday said this followed a “thorough assessment of internal and external candidates.”
The statement read: “Seplat Energy PLC, a leading Nigerian energy company dual listed on both the Nigerian and the London Stock Exchanges, is pleased to announce that Mr. Basil Omiyi, CON, has been appointed as the Company’s new Independent Non-Executive Chairman, effective immediately. His appointment follows a thorough assessment of internal and external candidates and was approved after a unanimous vote by all Directors of Seplat Energy, in compliance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act in Nigeria (“CAMA”).”
Omiyi has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Seplat Energy since March 2013 as Senior Independent Non-Executive Director from February 1, 2021.
During this period, Omoyi sat on the Company’s Remuneration, Nominations & Governance, Energy Transition, and Risk Management & HSSE committees.
“His experience in the energy industry is extensive, with more than 40 years at Royal Dutch Shell, during which time he held senior roles in Nigeria and Europe, including becoming Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria in 2004 and in addition, Country Chairman of Shell Companies, Nigeria, until his retirement in 2009,” the statement added.
“Omiyi has held several leadership positions in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, including Chairman, Upstream Industry Group (Oil Producers Trade Section, Lagos Chambers of Commerce & Industry) from 2007-2010; Chairman of the Energy Sector of NEPAD Business Group, Nigeria, and Board Member NEPAD Business Group, Nigeria from 2005-2010; Chairman, of the Oil & Gas Commission of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group from 2005-2010, and Board Member, Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) 2007-2010.
“Omiyi is also the Independent Non-Executive Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, a subsidiary of Standard Bank Group, a post he has held since 2015. In 2011, he was awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger for pioneering leadership in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Seplat Energy also announced the appointment of Charles Okeahalam to succeed Omiyi as the Senior Independent Non-ExecutiveDirector.
“Charles Okeahalam joined the Board in March 2013 as an Independent Non-Executive Director and is Chairman of Seplat Energy’s Finance Committee, and a member of the Energy Transition, Remuneration, and Nominations & Governance committees.
“Okeahalam has extensive corporate finance and capital markets expertise and in particular, detailed knowledge of African financial markets, economies and the investment industry. He was a co-founder of AGH Capital Group, private equity and diversified investment holding company based in Johannesburg, with assets in several African countries. before-founding AGH Capital Group in 2002, he was a Professor of Financial Economics and Banking at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
“His other roles included advising several African central banks and government ministries, the World Bank and the United Nations. He held several board positions and is a former non-executive chairman of Heritage Bank Limited, Nigeria. Since March 2016 he has served as the non-executive chairman of the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company.
Reacting to the appointments, the Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy, Roger Brown, said: “As the founders of Seplat Energy, DrABC Orjiako and MrAustin Avuru step off the board and the Company moves into the next chapter of its development, Seplat has once again demonstrated its commitment to strong corporate governance in delivering on its promise of appointing an Independent Non-Executive Chairman.
“Basil Omiyi has been a leading figure in the Nigerian oil and gas sector and also with Seplat Energy, has joined its Board in 2013 and helped it to achieve a dual listing in April 2014. Their vast depth of experience and his detailed knowledge of Seplat Energy will be invaluable as we continue to evolve and mature the company.
“He has provided invaluable guidance as an Independent Director and I look forward to his continued leadership as our new Independent Non-Executive Chairman. We will also benefit from the considerable expertise of Dr Charles Okeahalam as Senior Independent Non-Executive Director, especially his experience and knowledge of Africa’s economies and its financial markets.
“Under their guidance, we will continue to expand and consolidate our position as Nigeria’s leading energy company and the partner of choice to deliver energy transition for Africa’s largest economy and its rapidly growing population.”
