Seplat Energy Plc has named Mr. Tony O. Elumelu as a Non-Executive Director, following the resignation of Mr. Olivier Cleret De Langavant, who stepped down after Etablissements Maurel et Prom SA divested its stake in the company.
The company’s statement, signed by Company Secretary Mrs. Edith Onwuchekwa, confirmed that Mr. Elumelu’s appointment and Mr. Langavant’s resignation both took effect on 22 January 2026.
In the announcement, the board described him as a distinguished African investor and philanthropist, widely recognised for his contributions to Africa’s economic transformation.
He is the Founder and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, a diversified investment group with interests across energy, power, banking, insurance, technology, real estate, hospitality, and healthcare.
Elumelu also serves as Chairman of United Bank for Africa Group, Heirs Energies, and Transcorp Group, whose subsidiaries include Transcorp Power and Transcorp Hotels Plc, one of Nigeria’s foremost hospitality brands.
In 2010, Mr. Elumelu founded The Tony Elumelu Foundatio, a leading African philanthropic organization committed to empowering entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries.
His global impact has earned him numerous accolades, including being named one of 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.
According to the statement, Mr. Langavant joined Seplat Energy’s Board on 28 January 2020 as a nominee of M&P and stepped down following the company’s change in ownership structure.
Seplat Energy described his tenure as impactful, highlighting his strategic guidance and technical insights that contributed significantly to the company’s growth.
“Mr. Langavant has rendered exceptional service throughout his tenure, providing strategic technical counsel and invaluable insights that have materially supported the Company’s progress,” the statement said.
“We are confident that Mr. Elumelu’s extensive experience and visionary leadership will significantly advance Seplat Energy’s strategic objectives and reinforce the Company’s commitment to sustainable growth and long-term success,” the statement said.
Seplat Energy Chairman, Mr. Udoma Udo Udoma, paid tribute to Mr. Langavant’s contributions while warmly welcoming Mr. Elumelu to the Board.
“On behalf of the Board and Management, I wish to express our profound appreciation to Mr. Langavant for his outstanding contribution to Seplat Energy over the past six years. His expertise and commitment have been instrumental in driving our strategic initiatives,” Udoma said.
“We warmly welcome Mr. Elumelu to the Board and look forward to leveraging his wealth of experience and leadership as we continue to pursue sustainable growth and value creation for all stakeholders.”
Seplat Energy closed 2025 with a 1.94% increase in its share price, a modest performance compared with the Nigerian Exchange All-Share Index, which surged over 50 per year during the year.
