In its commitment to enhance media excellence and empowerment of journalists, Seplat Energy Plc organizes media entrepreneurship training for newsmen to equip them with success nuggets, just as the company says it is leveraging its freedom to operate in host communities and access to capital
By Edu Abade
Leading Nigerian indigenous and independent energy company, Seplat Energy Plc, on June 25 and June 26, 2025, successfully trained no fewer than 50 journalists covering the Capital Market, Judiciary, Finance and Business on Media Entrepreneurship in a move to equip them to become independent and significantly boost their earning power.
The training, which was organized by the company in conjunction with ELOH Consulting Limited, brought together 50 journalists covering Capital Market, Judiciary, Finance and Business across the print, online and electronic media platforms.
The programme equipped participants with essential business acumen and skills to thrive as entrepreneurs and future business leaders. The training helped participants deepen their understanding of strategic business principles, enhanced their management and leadership capabilities, and empowered them to build sustainable businesses that deliver impactful results.
The media training opened with a keynote address by the Manager, Corporate Communications, Seplat Energy Plc, Stanley Opara, who represented the Director, External Affairs and Social Performance, Seplat Energy, Mrs. Chioma Afe. According to him, apart from developing participants’ leadership and management capabilities, enabling them to create sustainable businesses and take on greater responsibilities in the evolving business landscape, the initiative also aims to nurture a new generation of media professionals who can drive enterprises and achieve significant business results.
Additionally, the programme fostered interaction between journalists and key anti-corruption and security agency stakeholders to broaden understanding of governance and operational frameworks.
The training featured a stellar lineup of facilitators and guest speakers including Professor Pat Utomi, a renowned academic and thought leader, who delivered a session titled: Can Managers or Professionals (like Journalists) Make Good Entrepreneurs? In which he explored the transition from professional roles to entrepreneurial success.
It also featured Dr. Solomon Avbioroko: Former director at Coca-Cola International and lecturer at the Lagos Business School (LBS) who shared insights on business management and entrepreneurship and Mr. Olu Onakoya, a former Managing Director of Mobil Nigeria, who provided valuable leadership and corporate governance perspectives.
Other facilitators include Nnamdi Uwaemelulam, who focused on Maximizing Media Technology Tools, while Uloma Okoro, dwelt on Developing a Business Model and Writing Winning Business Plans.”
In addition to business experts, the programme hosted key figures from Nigeria’s anti-corruption and security agencies. This segment was intended to foster critical dialogue on security and governance challenges in Nigeria.
Facilitators for this session included Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS).
They engaged participants on topics including the fight against insecurity and corruption, intelligence gathering and the legal frameworks that empower and support their operations.
Participants deeply appreciated Seplat Energy for organising a well-structured and impactful programme, while highlighting the training’s relevance in equipping them with skills to navigate the evolving media landscape and explore entrepreneurial opportunities.
Seplat Energy’s commitment to fostering professional development and entrepreneurship among journalists was evident, and the event set a new standard for future initiatives.
Additionally, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seplat Energy Plc Roger Brown has stressed the need for operators of the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry to create an enabling environment capable of enhancing the freedom to operate and ease of access to capital, which he says remain the driving force behind Seplat Energy’s Success.
Brown, who stated this as Seplat Energy clinched the Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Indigenous Company of the Year Award, said the company has continued to blaze the trail in the country’s energy space by leveraging its freedom to operate in host communities and access to capital, maintaining that the company has developed and serviced clear ways of engagement with its communities and developing strong partnership with capitals.
Speaking at the 2025 NOG Energy Ween Conference in Abuja during a panel session titled: Harnessing Africa’s Energy Shift-From Acquisition to Optimisation, he pointed out that Seplat Energy sees engagement with its communities and other stakeholders from the long-term horizon.
“A very clear way of engagement is what Seplat Energy and the indigenous players bring to the party. Shared prosperity is very important. Freedom to Operate has been our success and this is the substance of our community engagement model,” Brown buttressed.
Also speaking on the inclination of the indigenous energy sector to succeed, he said currently, the sector is thriving and full of incredible talents, which are committed to deliver value and boost the fortunes of operators and the country at large.
He added: “For us at Seplat Energy, when we completed the Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU) acquisition last year, we were ready for it. This consolidates the fact that we are here for the long term. The assets are prolific in oil and gas, and we will continue to develop and optimise these resources.”
Equally commenting on the availability of capital to develop the assets, Brown said: “When we look at capital, we consider as many forms of capital that could be accessed. For us, capital is treated as a partner, and in that partnership, everything is told and nothing is held back. It is full disclosure for us. Hence, capital access has been very critical to our success as a company.”
The Seplat Energy CEO alluded to the prevailing situation where capital has become increasingly harder to access, but maintained that stability in business and business spheres will continue to attract capital.
“Beyond committing funds to acquire assets, sufficient money should be set aside to develop the acquired assets. Seplat Energy has been able to redeploy capital and optimise growth of the business. There is indeed capital to develop these assets that were acquired and indigenous energy companies would continue to demonstrate this.”
In a related development, Seplat Energy was honoured with the “Indigenous Company of the Year” Award by the organisers of the 2025 NOG Energy Week for its leadership and performance. The award was received on behalf of the company by the Director, New Energy, Okechukwu Mba.
With a strategic focus on Nigeria, Seplat Energy is listed on the Premium Board of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (“NGX”) (NSE:SEPLAT) and the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (“LSE”) (LSE:SEPL). Seplat is pursuing a Nigeria focused growth strategy and is well-positioned to participate in future divestment programmes by the International Oil Companies (IOCs), farm-in opportunities and future licensing rounds.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Manager, Corporate Communications, Seplat Energy Plc, Stanley Opara; CEO, DFD Smart and Standard Concept; officials of ELOH Consulting Limited and journalists during the Seplat Energy Media Entrepreneurship Programmes organized in partnership with ELOH Consulting during which no fewer than 50 media practitioners were trained in Lagos
