Seplat Energy Plc has announced the appointment of seasoned oil and gas executive, Engr. Effiong Okon, as its next Chief Executive Officer, ushering in a new chapter for one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous energy companies as it intensifies its focus on natural gas development and energy transition initiatives.

The appointment, which takes effect from August 1, 2026, was disclosed in a notice submitted to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and signed by the company’s Secretary, Edith Onwuchekwa.

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Okon will assume leadership of Seplat at a critical period for the company and Nigeria’s energy industry, with growing emphasis on gas monetisation, cleaner energy solutions and the drive to enhance domestic energy security.

His emergence reflects the company’s confidence in a leader whose career spans more than three decades across upstream, midstream and emerging energy segments of the industry.

Currently serving as Managing Director of the ANOH Gas Processing Company (AGPC), a strategic joint venture between Seplat Energy and NNPC Limited, Okon has played a central role in delivering one of Nigeria’s most significant gas infrastructure projects.

The ANOH gas processing plant, designed with a capacity of 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, is expected to boost domestic gas supply, support industrial development and strengthen the country’s energy transition agenda through the provision of dry gas, liquefied petroleum gas and condensates.

His appointment is widely viewed as a continuation of Seplat’s strategy to position natural gas as a key driver of long-term growth while supporting Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its energy mix.

Academic Foundation

Okon’s journey to the top of Nigeria’s energy industry began at the University of Benin, where he studied engineering and built the technical foundation that would shape his career.

Determined to strengthen his leadership and business management capabilities, he later attended some of the world’s most respected executive institutions, including IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Harvard Business School in Boston, United States.

His professional accomplishments have also earned him recognition within the engineering and petroleum sectors. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, reflecting his standing among industry professionals both locally and internationally.

Building A Career At Shell

Okon began his professional career in 1992 when he joined global energy giant Shell as a Petroleum Reservoir Engineer.

What started as a technical role evolved into a distinguished career spanning more than two decades within one of the world’s largest energy companies.

During his time at Shell, he gained extensive experience in reservoir engineering, production optimisation, field development and offshore operations, gradually rising through the ranks to occupy several strategic leadership positions.

His responsibilities over the years included serving as Chief Reservoir Engineer, General Manager Offshore Assets, General Manager Deepwater Production, Deputy Vice President Technical, and Vice President for Cost Leadership and Continuous Improvement.

These positions exposed him to some of the most complex energy projects across multiple regions, including Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the United States.

He managed large offshore production assets, supervised multidisciplinary engineering teams and oversaw major capital investment programmes worth billions of dollars.

His work focused on improving production efficiency, strengthening operational reliability, enhancing asset integrity and implementing cost-saving measures across major energy operations.

Industry observers credit him with helping to improve operational performance while maintaining high standards of safety, environmental compliance and regulatory adherence across challenging offshore and deepwater environments.

Driving Growth At Seplat

After leaving Shell, Okon joined Seplat Energy in 2018 as Executive Director, Operations.

In that role, he was responsible for overseeing production activities, operational performance, safety management and asset integrity across the company’s upstream business portfolio.

His leadership contributed to efforts aimed at improving operational efficiency, enhancing production reliability and strengthening cost discipline across the organisation.

As Seplat expanded its ambitions beyond traditional oil production, Okon was entrusted with greater responsibilities.

In 2022, he was appointed Director of New Energy, a role that placed him at the centre of the company’s transition strategy.

He led initiatives focused on integrated gas development, power generation opportunities and lower-carbon energy solutions designed to position Seplat for the future.

His portfolio included advancing investments in gas-to-power projects, liquefied natural gas infrastructure, liquefied petroleum gas initiatives and renewable energy opportunities.

The assignment reinforced his reputation as an executive capable of balancing operational excellence with long-term strategic vision.

Leading Seplat Into The Future

As he prepares to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, Okon brings a blend of technical expertise, operational experience and strategic leadership that aligns with Seplat’s evolving business priorities.

His appointment comes at a time when Nigeria is increasingly looking to natural gas as a bridge fuel for economic growth, industrialisation and energy security.

With extensive experience across engineering, project execution, production management and energy transition initiatives, industry stakeholders expect him to play a pivotal role in driving Seplat’s next phase of growth.

For the University of Benin alumnus, the appointment represents the culmination of a distinguished career built on technical excellence, leadership development and a commitment to advancing Nigeria’s energy sector.

As Seplat navigates emerging opportunities in gas, power and cleaner energy solutions, Okon’s leadership is expected to shape the company’s contribution to the country’s evolving energy landscape and broader economic development ambitions.