Amanze Chinonye
Seplat Energy Plc has appointed billionaire investor and philanthropist, Mr Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, as a Non-Executive Director on its Board, with effect from January 22, 2026, following recent changes in the company’s ownership structure.
The appointment comes on the heels of the divestment of a 20.07 per cent equity stake in Seplat Energy by Etablissements Maurel et Prom SA (M&P) to a consortium comprising Heirs Holdings Limited and Heirs Energies Limited.
In a corporate announcement on Thursday, the company also disclosed the resignation of Mr Olivier Cleret De Langavant as a Non-Executive Director, effective the same date. De Langavant had joined the Seplat board in January 2020 as M&P’s nominee.
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Seplat Energy said De Langavant played a key role during his six-year tenure, offering strategic technical guidance and insights that supported the company’s growth and operational progress.
Mr Elumelu, founder and chairman of Heirs Holdings, is a prominent figure in Africa’s business landscape, with investments spanning energy, power, banking, insurance, technology, real estate, hospitality and healthcare. He is also the chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group, Heirs Energies and Transcorp Group, whose subsidiaries include Transcorp Power and Transcorp Hotels Plc.
Beyond business, Elumelu is the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, a pan-African philanthropy focused on empowering entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries. His global recognition includes being named among TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2020 and receiving the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic in 2022.
He currently serves on several international bodies, including UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council and the International Monetary Fund’s Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth.
Commenting on the development, Chairman of Seplat Energy, Mr Udoma Udo Udoma, thanked De Langavant for his contributions to the company, describing his service as “instrumental” to Seplat’s strategic direction.
He also welcomed Elumelu to the board, expressing confidence that his experience and leadership would strengthen the company’s pursuit of sustainable growth and long-term value creation.
Seplat Energy is a dual-listed Nigerian energy company with listings on the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
