In a strategic move to enhance board governance and leadership depth, Seplat Energy Plc has announced the appointment of Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed and Mr. Larry Ephraim Ettah as Independent Non-Executive Directors, effective January 1, 2026.
The appointments follow the departure of former directors Mr. Bello Rabiu and Mr. Babs Omotowa in April 2025, who resigned to join the Board of NNPC Limited after presidential appointments.
Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed brings over 37 years of oil and gas industry expertise, including a distinguished tenure at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), where he served as Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer of the Gas & Power Directorate. He played a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s gas infrastructure development, policy formulation, and major projects such as the NLNG Train 7 expansion and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline. His technical and strategic insight is expected to bolster Seplat’s gas commercialization and energy transition agenda.
Mr. Larry Ephraim Ettah contributes nearly four decades of corporate leadership experience, including 30 years at UAC of Nigeria Plc, where he rose to become Group Managing Director/CEO from 2007 to 2018. Under his leadership, UAC underwent significant restructuring and diversification. He currently serves as Executive Chairman of Barracuda Capital Partners Ltd, a firm he founded in 2018, specializing in investment advisory and corporate strategy. His expertise in governance, finance, and business transformation aligns with Seplat’s growth and sustainability objectives.
In a statement, Seplat Energy Chairman, Mr. Udoma Udo Udoma highlighted the complementary strengths of the new appointees:
“Their experiences are complementary, combining extensive industry knowledge with extensive business success. We are confident they will bring valuable perspectives to our board as we continue to execute our strategic plans.”
The appointments are part of Seplat’s Board Succession Plan, initiated after the April 2025 resignations, and reflect the company’s commitment to maintaining a balanced, skilled, and independent board.
Both directors are expected to contribute to key committees, including Audit, Risk, and ESG oversight, further strengthening corporate accountability and strategic direction amid Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape.
Seplat’s board refresh comes at a critical time as the company advances its “2030 Sustainability and Energy Transition Agenda”, which emphasizes gas development, carbon reduction, and renewable energy investments.
The company recently commissioned the ANOH Gas Processing Plant and continues to expand its offshore and onshore production assets.
Furthermore, Seplat is navigating a complex regulatory environment, including the ongoing acquisition of ExxonMobil’s shallow water assets in Nigeria – a deal awaiting final regulatory approval.
The new directors’ regulatory and stakeholder engagement experience will be vital in steering these strategic initiatives.
The Nigerian corporate governance landscape has also seen increased scrutiny, with the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) emphasizing board independence and diversity. Seplat’s appointments align with these expectations, reinforcing its reputation as a compliant, forward-looking energy company.
