Jobs/Appointments
Seplat CEO Roger Brown Emoluments Rise to N3.909bn
By Adedapo Adesanya
It was a good year for Seplat Energy in 2204, with the company making a series of transformative moves that significantly altered its scale and positioning in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
While the most notable development was the completion of its delayed $1.28 billion acquisition of ExxonMobil’s Nigerian shallow-water business, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU), its directors and workers also saw increases in their paychecks.
Its highest paid director and chief executive, Mr Roger Brown, received total emoluments of N3.909 billion, 135.8 per cent higher than the N1.658 billion he received in 2023.
Chairman of the company, Mr Udoma Udo Udoma, received total emoluments of N1.992 billion in 2024, 250.1 per cent higher than N569 million he got a year earlier.
Seplat also noted that its executive directors, Mr Samson Ezugworie and Mrs Eleanor Adaralegbe, who are its chief operating officer and chief financial officer, respectively, received total emoluments of N4.133 billion in 2024 versus N1.493 billion in 2023.
Also, its non-executive directors received N4.896 billion for their services in 2024 against N1.707 billion in 2023. These include Mr Bello Rabiu, Madame Nathalie Delapalme, Mr Olivier Cleret De Langavant, Dr Emma FitzGerald, Mr Ernest Ebi, Mrs Bashirat Odunewu, Mr Kazeem Raimi, Ms Koosum Kalyan, Mr Christopher Okeke, and Mr Babs Omotowa.
This is part of the wider workforce of 1,446 employees which received N71.718 billion as salaries and wages in 2024 compared with the N48.468 billion paid to the staff in its 2023 fiscal year, indicating a 47.97 per cent rise.
It is important to note that the amount paid as salaries and wages by Seplat to its staff members in 2024 does not include other emoluments, allowances, and pension contributions.
This was on the back of a significant improvement in its performance in the 2024 fiscal year, following the successful acquisition of the producing assets of MPNU.
Specifically, the company’s profit before tax rose by 98.4 per cent to $379.4 million (N561.4 billion) in 2024, compared with $191.2 million (N125.5 billion) in 2023, while its profit after tax grew by 16.9 per cent to $144.8million (N214.3 billion) in 2024, from $123.9 million (N81.4 billion) in 2023.
The increase in the salaries and wages of its staff in 2024 was largely as a result of a sharp rise in its workforce, from 588 staff in 2023 to 1,446 staff in 2024, representing a 146 per cent increase in its staff strength.
It is important to note that the acquisition was concluded in December 2024, meant that the increase in its workforce came about at that time. This also means that the new staff members from Mobil only received one month’s pay as Seplat’s staff in 2024.
Specifically, the sharp increase in its workforce, according to its 2024 annual reports and accounts, stemmed from its acquisition of the assets of MPNU in 2024, which saw 863 staff of Mobil joining its existing workforce.
Another factor which contributed to the rise in salaries and wages in 2024 was the declining value of the Naira against the Dollar, which was the currency in which the company denominated the emoluments.
Giving a breakdown of its workforce, Seplat Energy disclosed that in 2024, it has 47 junior staff, 1,022 senior staff, 332 managers and 45 senior management staff compared with 39 junior staff, 343 senior staff, 165 senior staff and 41 senior management staff in 2023.
To this end, the N71.718 billion salaries and wages received by the 1,446 staff, translated to an average salary of N49.6 million for each staff per annum, which is also an equivalent of N4.133 million per month, for each staff.
In comparison, the average yearly staff salaries and wages for its 588 staff in 2023 was N82.43 million per individual, while the average monthly salary was N6.87 million per staff.
In particular, the indigenous oil firm reported that in 2024, only a total of 395 staff earned below N118.37 million each, an equivalent of N9.833 million per month; while 425 staff members earned between N118.37 million and N295.936 million, translating to between (N9.833 million and N24.66 million monthly).
Also, staff members whose annual salaries and wages were within the range of N295.936 million and N443.904 (between N24.66 million and N36.992 million monthly) stood at 450, while 176 employees received above N443.904 billion as salaries and wages.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
In line with the 12-year tenure prescribed for non-executive directors of banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Tony Elumelu will on August 21, 2026, cease to be chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc.
The board of the financial institution at its meeting on July 6, 2026, has elected Mr Emmanuel Nnorom as the new chairman.
In a notice to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, the lender said Mr Elumelu’s successor, a non-executive director of the company, will assume the new role on August 21, 2026.
Mr Nnorom is a chartered accountant with over 40 years of experience in banking, finance and audit. He brings to the role extensive leadership experience and deep institutional knowledge of UBA.
“I am honoured by the trust the Board has placed in me and deeply conscious of the legacy I inherit.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board, management and our staff across all our markets to sustain UBA’s momentum and continue delivering long-term value to our shareholders, customers and stakeholders,” Mr Nnorom stated.
Commenting on his retirement, Mr Elumelu said, “Serving United Bank for Africa has been one of the great privileges of my career.
“UBA has a unique competitive position, across Africa and globally, and I leave the Board with great confidence in UBA’s future.
“Emmanuel Nnorom is a leader of integrity, experience and sound judgement, and I am confident that the Bank will continue to thrive under his leadership.”
The board thanked him for his visionary leadership and exceptional contribution to the growth, transformation and institutional strength of the UBA Group.
By Adedapo Adesanya
WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria has announced the appointment of Mr Courage Obadagbonyi as Managing Director, effective July 1, 2026, succeeding Mr Jeethu Jose and becoming the first Nigerian to hold the post.
The appointment reflects the organisation’s continued focus on developing strong leadership from within its global talent pool while ensuring sustained growth and operational excellence.
A seasoned executive with more than two decades of international experience, Mr Obadagbonyi has held leadership roles across finance, operations and general management at leading global organisations, including APM Terminals, General Electric and Lafarge.
Prior to this appointment, he served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the APM Terminals Nigeria cluster, with responsibility for financial strategy across Nigeria and San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire.
He also served in an acting capacity as Managing Director of APM Terminals Apapa between 2025 and March 2026, further strengthening his operational leadership experience.
With experience spanning sectors such as oil and gas, power generation, logistics and healthcare, Mr Obadagbonyi brings deep expertise in financial management, risk optimisation and business performance.
Speaking on his appointment, he said, “I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place at WACT. The terminal plays a critical role in connecting businesses in Eastern Nigeria to global markets, and we will continue to focus on safe, reliable and efficient operations.”
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Mr Frederik Klinke, noted that the appointment reflects the company’s commitment to leadership development and long-term growth.
“Across APM Terminals globally, we see strong collaboration and talent development across our teams. This appointment reflects the depth of experience within our organisation and our continued focus on building capabilities that support sustainable growth. Nigerians have continued to distinguish themselves through exceptional performance and leadership. Colleagues from our Apapa and Onne terminals have contributed their expertise internationally while also bringing back valuable best practices to strengthen operations in Nigeria.”
He added that Mr Obadagbonyi’s experience would support the next phase of operational excellence and value delivery at WACT.
The outgoing MD, Mr Jose, said, “It has been a privilege to lead WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria during a period of meaningful progress. The team has built a strong platform for the future, and I am confident in the continued success of the organisation.”
West Africa Container Terminal (WACT)-APM Terminals in Onne, Rivers State, is one of Nigeria’s leading container terminals, having commenced commercial operations in 2006.
The company has continued to invest in capacity expansion and modernisation, including a $115 million terminal upgrade project launched in 2020. The upgrade also includes the deployment of reefer racks with a 600-plug capacity, as well as the expansion of the existing yard, a new workshop, a new terminal auto gate, modernised offices and state-of-the-art technology. These investments have enhanced efficiency, strengthened service delivery and reinforced WACT’s role as an important gateway for trade beyond Lagos.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A new member has joined the board of Unilever Nigeria Plc, and she is Mrs Modupe Femi-Okunbanjo, who was appointed as an executive director of the organisation.
Her appointment, according to a statement from the company, is effective June 30, 2026. It followed the resignation of Mr Ibrahim Sodipe as an executive director of the firm with effect from June 30, 2026.
Mr Sodipe was praised for his valuable service and significant contributions to the entity, particularly in driving improved turnover and profitability and supporting Unilever Nigeria’s continued progress towards sustainable and profitable growth.
Mrs Femi-Okunbanjo was described as an accomplished finance and governance leader who, for more than 15 years, has steered finance teams, shaped strategy, and strengthened risk management frameworks in the fast-moving consumer goods and telecommunications sectors.
She is currently the Financial Controller of Nigeria and Regional Controls Lead for West Africa at Unilever Nigeria, where she oversees financial governance, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management.
Her work has been pivotal in embedding ethical leadership and data-driven decision-making at board level, while ensuring organisations remain resilient in the face of shifting market dynamics.
The new board member has established a reputation for elevating financial reporting, advancing audit excellence, and strengthening governance frameworks, thereby positioning organisations for sustainable growth and long-term value creation.
In her previous roles, she has a consistent track record of delivering margin expansion, enhancing governance & control environments, and leading transformation in challenging macroeconomic conditions.
She is equally committed to developing future talent and advancing financial literacy among younger generations.
Prior to her joining Unilever Nigeria Plc in 2018, Mrs Femi-Okunbanjo held key roles at UAC of Nigeria Plc, Helios Towers Nigeria, and Makasa Sun Nigeria Limited, where she pioneered control frameworks from the ground up, eliminating revenue leakages, digitising operations and embedding financial discipline.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Lagos State University and an MBA with Specialisation in Strategy from the Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, UK.
Pingback: Seplat CEO Roger Brown Emoluments Rise to N3.909bn – PRIMA NEWS