Seplat Energy names Effiong Okon as new CEO

Seplat Energy Plc has named Effiong Okon as its new chief executive officer. This makes him the first person from Akwa Ibom to take the top job at the Nigerian energy firm.

Mr Okon is an engineer with over 35 years of experience in the oil and gas sector. The company's board appointed him in June 2026, and he officially started work on 1 August 2026, according to details on Seplat Energy’s website.

Mr Effiong Okon, CEO of, Seplat Energy Plc

Onofiok Luke, a former House of Representatives member and ex-speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, praised the appointment. He said it is a significant achievement for the state.

In a Facebook post, Mr Luke congratulated Mr Okon, saying his rise shows years of hard work and commitment. He believes this appointment should encourage young people from Akwa Ibom to aim for leadership roles in oil and gas and other important industries.

“For years, we have consistently clamoured, advocated and hoped to see our sons and daughters rise to the apex of International Oil Companies, particularly those operating within our communities and drawing substantially from our natural endowments,” Mr Luke wrote.

He called for more chances for local professionals and host communities. He argued that communities where oil and gas are produced should be involved not just in resource production but in industry leadership and value creation.

Mr Luke mentioned Udom Inoyo, a former vice chairman of ExxonMobil’s Nigerian operations, as another Akwa Ibom professional who has held senior positions in the industry. He wished Mr Okon a successful term and said this appointment should inspire other professionals from the state.

Career and Industry Experience

Mr Okon joined Seplat Energy in 2018 and has held various senior roles. These include executive director of operations, director of new energy, and director of projects. He also worked as managing director of ANOH Gas Processing Company Limited, a joint venture between Seplat Energy and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

His biography states that he led the development of the ANOH Gas Processing Plant, which can process 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. The plant started its first gas production in January 2026.

ANOH stands for Assa North-Ohaji South, a major gas project in Imo State, Nigeria.

Before joining Seplat, Mr Okon spent 26 years at Shell. He held senior roles in Nigeria, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. His jobs included vice president of cost leadership and continuous improvement in the Netherlands and general manager of deepwater and offshore assets in Nigeria.

He also worked on Qatar’s Pearl gas-to-liquids project and QatarGas LNG Trains 7 and 8, according to his biography. Mr Okon studied at the University of Benin and went to IMD Business School in Switzerland and Harvard Business School in the U.S. He is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the UK Energy Institute, and he is a registered engineer in Nigeria.

He is married to Bertha Okon, and they have four children.

Seplat’s Growth and Acquisition of Mobil’s Nigeria Business

Seplat Energy was established in 2009 through a partnership between Shebah Petroleum Development Company and Platform Petroleum Joint Ventures. Since then, the company has grown its operations in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, covering hydrocarbon production, gas processing, and energy transition initiatives.

A key event happened in December 2024 when Seplat finished its acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU). This company was previously owned by ExxonMobil and focuses on shallow-water oil and gas production in Nigeria. The deal followed an agreement made in February 2022 and received regulatory approvals.

After the acquisition, Seplat renamed the business Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU). The assets acquired include interests in four oil mining leases, OMLs 67, 68, 70, and 104, operated under a joint venture with NNPC. They also gained infrastructure like the Qua Iboe Terminal and interests in the Bonny River Terminal and gas processing facilities.

Seplat said this acquisition more than doubled its production and broadened its portfolio in onshore and shallow-water operations. The expanded business now has interests in oil and gas fields, gas processing facilities, and export terminals, strengthening its position among Nigeria’s local energy producers.

The company is listed on both the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. Its activities contribute significantly to Nigeria’s oil output and domestic gas supply, with gas being vital for electricity generation and industrial use. Seplat has also identified growth in gas and developing cleaner energy solutions as key parts of its strategy.

Mr Okon now leads the expanded company, overseeing its operations, project delivery, production growth, and gas development strategy.