Seplat Energy Plc restates its commitment to Nigeria’s prosperity through affordable, reliable and accessible energy just as the company earns ISO 45001:2018 certification, while insisting on advancing operational excellence and the well being of its workforce
By Edu Abade
Leading Nigerian independent energy company listed on both the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, Seplat Energy PLC has restated that in the quest to build a prosperous Nigeria, the country must target an affordable, reliable and accessible energy regime for all.
Chief Operating Officer (COO), Seplat Energy, Samson Ezugworie, said this recently in his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 43rd Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists’ (NAPE) Annual International Conference and Exhibition in Lagos.
The Seplat Energy COO, who spoke on the theme: Revitalizing the Nigerian Petroleum Exploration and Production: Strategies for Energy Security and Sustainable Development’, said, “The imperative before us is clear. We must build a prosperous Nigeria, and we can only do that with affordable and reliable energy that is accessible to all.
“Today, over 70 million Nigerians still lack access to electricity. More than 170 million rely on biomass for cooking and that’s terrible for the environment and for our households. And with Nigeria’s population projected to reach 237 million by 2025 and 400 million by 2050, the urgency to act is undeniable, because today’s problems will become far worse if we don’t take actions now to solve them. We will have 160 million more people to feed and house and we need to create 100 million new jobs. But imagine what Nigeria can achieve if we do.”
According to Ezugworie, to meet these challenges, Nigeria must increase oil production-not just to boost national revenues and reduce current shortfall so our government can meet its budgetary needs, but also to drive GDP growth that reinforces the country’s position as the economic powerhouse of the African continent.
In a statement made available to journalists by the Manager, Corporate Communications, Stanley Opara, the COO said, “We must also harness our huge reserves of gas and scale up gas and NGL production to expand domestic energy access, displace polluting imported generators, provide clean cooking for our people, and power our basic industries to support our national growth.
“The global energy landscape is shifting, and so too is our own. We are witnessing a transition in the ownership and operation of Nigeria’s vast natural resources as assets pass from well-funded, well-resourced international giants to local Nigerian operators, blessed with enthusiasm and expertise but less global in their outlook. It’s a shift that creates new capital dynamics in our need to raise international finance, while at the same time increasing our focus on managing risks and looking after our natural environment.
“But with these challenges come opportunities: opportunities to harness and enhance local knowledge, build resilient partnerships with our industry partners, and with our host communities, and most of all, build an industry that is owned and managed by Nigerians, for Nigerians.”
He also pointed out that Seplat Energy believes the future of Nigerian production lies in three core principles our industry must adopt: Leadership, Partnership and Stewardship, stressing that the principles had played out since Seplat Energy took control of its offshore assets, following its recent acquisition.
“We’ve worked on rehabilitating 33 wells and had success with 26, which are now producing about 33,000 barrels between them. That’s a step in the right direction to closing the current gap in production that could leave Nigeria with a shortfall in its revenues. We will continue to rehabilitate wells, which is not costing us much and we’re optimistic that we can get more production to help our industry reach the production targets the government has set,” the Seplat COO added.
On the company’s gas business, he said Seplat Energy was close to delivering the first gas from its joint venture ANOH Gas Processing Plant, and “we’ve also recently delivered our first cargoes of LPG from the newly upgraded Sapele Gas Plant, and I’m pleased to report that we’re well on track to ending routine flaring in our onshore operations, enabling us to reduce emissions, capture gas and monetise it, which is a win-win for Seplat, for the environment and for our communities.
“Our progress on gas initiatives like ANOH, Sapele, and LPG shipments is a testament to our commitment to Nigeria’s prosperity. These projects are not just about energy; they are about transforming lives and powering Nigeria’s development.”
Meanwhile, the company has achieved the ISO 45001:2018 certification in line with its strides towards operational excellence and employee wellbeing, maintaining that the certification was officially presented to the company at its headquarters in Lagos by officials of Bureau Veritas (VS) in a journey of collaboration, commitment and continuous improvement. From conducting gap assessments to implementing robust controls and engaging its workforce, every step was guided by the energy company’s vision to create a safer and healthier workplace.
Commenting on the certification, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seplat Energy, Roger Brown said, “This globally recognized standard enhances our operational resilience, reduces risks and reinforces the company’s duty of care to its employees. It also positions it competitively, demonstrating to stakeholders that Seplat Energy operates with integrity, responsibility, and excellence. This certification is not the end; it’s a foundation for sustained growth and safety leadership.
“Achieving the ISO 45001:2018 certification marks a significant milestone in our journey towards operational excellence and employee well being. It reflects our unwavering commitment to creating a safe, healthy, and resilient workplace. This global recognition reinforces our belief that safety is not just a priority, it is a core value embedded in our culture. We will continue to lead by example, ensuring our people thrive in an environment built on trust, care, and world-class standards.”
Also responding to the certification and what it meant for the company, Ezugworie said: “This certification is a testament to the dedication and discipline of our teams across all levels. We have always taken proactive steps to manage risks, enhance safety performance, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
“The ISO 45001:2018 certification validates these efforts and reinforces our commitment to protecting our workforce as a fundamental part of our success. We remain focused on sustaining and evolving our health and safety practices to meet and exceed global benchmarks.”
Earlier, Certification Manager, Bureau Veritas (VS) Nigeria, Adenike Akinbote, commended Seplat Energy for its commitment and adherence to global best practices, adding that: “We commend the unwavering commitment of Seplat’s leadership in driving the implementation of ISO standards and successfully steering the organization toward certification.
“Throughout the audit process, the professionalism, receptiveness, and openness demonstrated by both the leadership and employees of Seplat were truly commendable. We were particularly impressed by the level of implementation achieved during this initial certification phase.”
In his remarks, General Manager, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Seplat Energy, Adeshina Sadiq said: “Achieving the ISO 45001:2018 certification is a proud moment for all Seplat employees as Health, Safety, and Environment stewardship is a shared responsibility. It reflects the strategic integration of safety into all our operations and the relentless efforts of our teams to always uphold the highest standards.
“This milestone is not just a certification but a validation of our systems, our people and our culture of care. We will continue to strengthen our safety framework and empower every employee to be a champion of workplace wellbeing.”
