Seplat Energy Plc has appointed Nigerian investor and philanthropist Tony Elumelu as a non-executive director, effective 22 January 2026, in a move that reflects recent changes in the company’s ownership structure.
The appointment follows the exit of Olivier Cleret De Langavant from Seplat’s board. De Langavant, who joined in January 2020 as a nominee of French energy firm Etablissements Maurel et Prom SA (M&P), resigned after M&P sold its 20.07 per cent equity stake in Seplat.
In a corporate filing issued on Thursday and signed by the company secretary, Edith Onwuchekwa, Seplat confirmed that M&P’s shares were acquired by a combination of Heirs Holdings Limited and Heirs Energies Limited. Heirs Energies is chaired by Elumelu.
Seplat paid tribute to De Langavant, describing his six-year tenure as one marked by “exceptional service,” noting that his strategic and technical guidance provided valuable support to the company’s growth and development.
Announcing the new appointment, the company said Elumelu brings extensive experience as an investor, business leader and advocate for Africa’s economic transformation. He is the founder and chairman of Heirs Holdings, a diversified investment group with interests spanning energy, power, banking, insurance, technology, real estate, hospitality and healthcare.
Beyond Heirs Holdings and Heirs Energies, Elumelu also serves as chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group and Transcorp Group, whose subsidiaries include Transcorp Power and Transcorp Hotels Plc. In 2010, he established The Tony Elumelu Foundation, which supports entrepreneurship across all 54 African countries.
His influence extends beyond the continent, with roles on several global boards, including UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited Global Leadership Council and the International Monetary Fund’s Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth. He was named among TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2020 and was conferred with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic in 2022.
Seplat said it is confident that Elumelu’s experience and leadership will support the company’s strategic objectives and reinforce its focus on sustainable growth and long-term value creation.
Welcoming the new board member, Seplat Energy chairman Udoma Udo Udoma expressed appreciation to De Langavant for his contribution to the company, describing his expertise and commitment as instrumental in advancing key strategic initiatives.
Udoma added that the board looks forward to Elumelu leveraging his depth of experience to help Seplat achieve sustainable growth and deliver value to shareholders and other stakeholders.