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Seplat Energy’s Sustainability Commitments  Targeted Beyond Today – COO

 

Seplat Energy Plc, leading Nigerian independent energy Company has restated its commitments to energy sustainability as it impacts people, environment and corporate governance, stressing that its focus is long-term with dividends accruable beyond today.

The Chief Operating Officer, Seplat Energy, Mr. Samson Ezugworie, stated this at the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council 2025 Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (OLEF) held in Abuja recently.

Ezugworie, who spoke in the Forum’s panel session titled ‘Driving Energy Sustainability Through Technology, Policy, and Supply Chain Excellence’ maintained that business sustainability is about vision and building a future “you may not benefit from”.

He likened sustainability to the human race and many challenges that have confronted it; amongst which is energy poverty in Nigeria, which he stressed had limited the potential of the country and its people.

Speaking on Seplat Energy’s effort at addressing energy poverty in Nigeria, Ezugworie noted that over 850MMscfd of gas installations have been achieved in-country (excluding capacities from the recently acquired MPNU assets).

“Over the years, we have currently installed over 850MMscfd of gas geared towards supplying gas to domestic users in Nigeria. With the recent acquisition of the MPNU assets, we will now begin to explore and exploit other growth options. We are going to go into the mass gas reserves of that asset and still ensure that we use significant part of that to power Nigeria,” the Seplat Energy COO said.

He said the panel’s theme which hovers around energy sustainability, technology, policy and supply chains is centred around human beings and building the right capacities to drive growth and developmental progress. “Early this month at Seplat Energy, 50 young graduates just resumed for employment and they are undergoing diverse trainings at the moment. For us, this is capacity development; making sure that we have the funnel of talents that will replace us in due course. This is sustainability,” Ezugworie affirmed.

Highlighting what Seplat Energy had done in the deployment of technology in Nigeria’s gas space, the Seplat Energy COO said the Company’s various interventions were quite transformational. Seplat has implemented its end of routine flaring (EORF) roadmap, which includes investments across our production facilities to minimise Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas emissions and improve overall energy efficiency.

For instance, the first module of Seplat’s Sapele Integrated Gas Plant (SIGP) has commenced operations and is now producing. Once the plant is operating at capacity, expected during 2025, it has the potential to materially reduce the Group Scope 1 emissions. Other ongoing key flare-out projects, including the Western Asset Flares Out (installation of vapour recovery unit compressors), Sapele LPG Storage & Offloading Facility, Oben LPG Project and Ohaji Flares Out Project. The Company is on track to end routine flaring of gas across its onshore assets in 2H 2025.

Ezugworie also highlighted Seplat Energy’s strong commitment in deliver Corporate Social Investment initiatives in health, education and access to energy sustainably in Nigeria. Last year, 352 teachers were impacted in the 2024 edition of Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP); 6,373 students impacted during the 2024 Pearls Quiz; 4 Science Technology Engineering Arts & Mathematics (STEAM) Labs equipped in 4 secondary schools; 9,780 impacted in the 2024 Eye Can See Programme; and Energy solutions delivered in 6 schools and 3 hospitals completed.

Concerned Experts Cite Irregularity in the NNPC Board Appointment, Demand Statutory Compliance

A group of petroleum industry experts has criticized the recent appointment of Mr. Aminu Said Ahmed to the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), describing it as a violation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

In a statement signed by Mr. Abolade Adewale, Secretary of the PIA Watchdog Monitors, the group criticized the appointment of Ahmed — a Senior Manager at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) — as the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (MPR) representative on the NNPC Ltd Board.

Citing Section 59(2)(d) of the PIA, the experts argued that board representation from the MPR must be at least at the rank of a Director. Ahmed, they emphasized, is not only below the required grade but also not a staff member of the Ministry, which makes his nomination both illegal and institutionally inappropriate.

They further clarified that the NMDPRA, while under the petroleum sector umbrella, operates independently of the MPR and therefore cannot validly represent it on the NNPC Ltd Board.

“This appointment defies the spirit and letter of the PIA, which aims to ensure transparent and merit-based representation. It sets a dangerous precedent and weakens ministerial oversight,” the statement read.

The group also pointed out that the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) is represented on the board by its Permanent Secretary, in line with statutory provisions. They urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to restore balance and legality by appointing the Permanent Secretary of the MPR as its official board representative.

Additionally, the experts raised concerns about recent trends in which non-Ministry personnel are assigned to represent Nigeria at international petroleum forums such as OPEC. According to them, Section 3(1)(d) of the PIA empowers the MPR to lead such delegations. Bypassing the Ministry, they warned, undermines institutional memory and could harm Nigeria’s global energy reputation.

“All petroleum-related international appointments should be made through formal processes by the Minister, and limited to serving Ministry officials,” Adewale insisted.

The group called on the President to reverse the appointment of Aminu Said Ahmed and reaffirm his administration’s commitment to lawful governance and regulatory integrity in the petroleum sector.

Seplat Energy Joins Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) As Supporting Company

Nigeria’s leading indigenous energy company, Seplat Energy Plc, in 2024, became a registered EITI Supporting Company, reinforcing the Company’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and global best practices. This milestone was recognized on the EITI website and across its communications platforms.

As an EITI Supporting Company, Seplat Energy promotes transparency in the extractive sector while contributing to the development of international governance standards, according to a statement by the energy Company on Thursday. This affiliation enhances corporate credibility, strengthens financial standing, and fosters greater engagement with governments, industry peers, and civil society.

Supporting the EITI enables Seplat Energy to demonstrate industry leadership, improve access to finance through transparent reporting, and stay ahead of evolving investor and regulatory expectations. It also facilitates trust-building and reinforces the company’s commitment to responsible business practices.

On a local level, Seplat Energy benefits from the EITI framework by strengthening its social license to operate, reducing investment risks, and supporting capacity-building efforts. The initiative promotes a level playing field for all industry players and enhances collaboration with key stakeholders.

By aligning with EITI standards, Seplat Energy continues to drive sustainable development in the energy sector while upholding the principles of transparency, integrity, and long-term value creation.

The Board of Directors of Seplat Energy says it is committed to sound corporate governance and ensures that the Company complies with the Nigerian and UK corporate governance regulations as well as international best practice.

The Board is aware of the Corporate Governance Guidelines issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance 2018, issued by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and the UK Corporate Governance Code 2024, issued by the UK Financial Reporting Council and ensures that the Company complies with them.