In a strategic move to strengthen its governance amid Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape, Seplat Energy Plc has announced the appointment of two heavyweight independent non-executive directors to its board. Mr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed and Mr. Larry Ephraim Ettah will join effective January 1, 2026, filling vacancies left by the departure of Mr. Bello Rabiu and Mr. Babs Omotowa in April 2025. Those exits followed their nominations to the board of NNPC Limited by President Bola Tinubu, prompting Seplat to activate its board succession plan for seamless continuity.
This appointment underscores Seplat Energy’s commitment to blending deep oil and gas expertise with broad business acumen, positioning the indigenous firm for accelerated growth in a competitive sector. As Nigeria pushes reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the new directors bring proven track records in infrastructure, policy, and corporate transformation—critical for navigating gas commercialisation, international partnerships, and sustainable expansion.
Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed:
Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed emerges as a towering figure in Nigeria’s energy sector, armed with over 37 years of hands-on experience in natural gas development, commercialization, and infrastructure. His career pinnacle came as Group Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Gas & Power Directorate at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). There, he steered strategic leadership for landmark initiatives, including the Gas Masterplan, Gas Network Code, and key inputs to the PIA.
Mohammed’s imprint on Nigeria’s energy map is indelible. He conceptualised and delivered mega-projects like the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline Expansion, the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, and Nigeria LNG Train 7. On the global stage, he represented Nigeria at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) and the West African Gas Pipeline Authority, fostering regional energy integration.
His executive portfolio includes stints as Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and Nigerian Gas Company, plus chairmanships at West African Gas Pipeline Company, Nigeria LNG subsidiaries, and NNPC Retail. A Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (FNSCHE), he is COREN-registered and holds a B.Eng. in Chemical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Mohammed’s addition signals Seplat’s sharpened focus on gas as a bridge to cleaner energy transitions.
Mr. Larry Ephraim Ettah:
Mr. Larry Ephraim Ettah is a Nigerian business icon with nearly four decades of corporate leadership. Ettah’s 30-year ascent at UAC of Nigeria Plc (UACN) culminated in his role as Group Managing Director/CEO from 2007 to 2018. Starting as a management trainee in 1988, he masterminded portfolio overhauls through alliances with global giants like Tiger Brands, Imperial Logistics, and Famous Brands. Under his watch, UACN acquired Livestock Feeds Plc and Portland Paints Plc, cementing its dominance across consumer goods, logistics, and manufacturing.
Post-UACN, Ettah launched Barracuda Capital Partners Ltd in 2018 as Executive Chairman. His boardroom influence spans Founding Director at Coronation Merchant Bank Ltd, Non-Executive Director at Mixta Africa Plc, and co-chair of LEAP Africa until February 2025. He has steered listed companies and advised blue-chip firms, while shaping industry through roles in Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), and Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). Ettah also contributed to national economic policy via presidential and technical committees.
Educated with a B.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry and an MBA from the University of Benin, Ettah honed his edge at Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, INSEAD, IMD, and the University of Michigan. Renowned for principled governance, strategic vision, and economic impact, he promises to inject diversified insights into Seplat’s operations.
Seplat Energy Chairman, Mr. Udoma Udo Udoma hailed the duo’s arrival. “On behalf of Seplat Energy, I am delighted to welcome Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed and Mr. Larry Ephraim Ettah to the Board. Their experiences are complementary, combining extensive industry knowledge with extensive business success. We look forward to the significant contributions they will make in advancing the Company’s strategic growth objectives and driving our continued success.”
As Seplat eyes upstream opportunities and gas monetisation, these appointments could catalyse innovation amid NNPC’s upstream shake-up and global energy shifts. Stakeholders will watch how this refreshed board steers the company through 2026’s policy headwinds and opportunities.
