Sustainable Growth Through Gas:Building Energy Security for Lagos, Nigeria and West Africa

Hon. Biodun Ogunleye

Hon. Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources

Hon. Biodun Ogunleye was a former Banker, Business Development and Strategy executive officer with over twenty years of experience. He was formerly the Chief Executive Officer of PowerCap Ltd, a consulting service focusing on the energy sector. He has over two decades of management experience in various energy-related fields like Project Finance, Public-Private Partnerships, and Strategic Management. He’s adept in Investment Management, Change Management, and Business Process Analysis. Prior to becoming the Energy Commissioner, Ogunleye showcased skills including leading complex engineering projects, managing cross-functional teams, and devising go-to-market strategies for new business ventures. He’s experienced In selling engineering concepts and investments, even in competitive markets, and has a knack for coordinating responses to business proposals and international tenders. Additionally, he’s proficient in developing organisational information management strategies to enhance collaboration, communication, and business process efficiency.

Olalekan Ogunleye

Executive VP, Gas, Power & New Energy, NNPC LTD

Olufemi Olalekan Ogunleye is the Executive Vice President Gas, Power and New Energy of NNPC Limited. In his almost three decades of career life, Lekan has held several key management positions in NNPC Limited, and this has equipped him with significant industry experience in various aspects of the gas value chain. He joined NNPC Limited in 1993 and until his appointment as EVP Gas, Power and New Energy in September 2023, he was the Deputy Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited. He has also served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD&CEO) of Gas Aggregation Company Nigeria Limited (GACN) as well as the MD&CEO of N-Gas Limited, a joint venture company between NNPC, Chevron, and Shell with responsibility for the sale and marketing of gas in Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana. Olalekan Ogunleye holds a degree in Law from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He was called to Bar in 1991 following his graduation from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, the same year. He also has numerous certifications from leading national and international organizations. Olalekan is a member of several professional organizations including the Nigerian Bar Association; International Bar Association; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; and Association of International Petroleum Negotiators.

Ed Ubong

Coordinating Director for the Decade of Gas Secretariat

Ed Ubong serves as the Coordinating Director for the Decade of Gas Secretariat, coordinating the joint Industry/Nigerian government gas acceleration initiative. Priorto his current position, he held the role of Managing Director at Shell Nigeria Gas, leading the company through a period of rapid growth and ensuring the safe achievement of its domestic gas growth and support for Nigeria industrialization. He joined Shell in 2001 as a Systems Engineer and has worked across various functions including Digital systems, Surface Engineering, Strategy, Deal Delivery and Asset Commercialization. Ed holds bachelor’s degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from the Federal University of Technology Owerri and a Master's Degree in Engineering from the University of Southampton in the UK. He also obtained an MBA from INSEAD (France, Wharton US, and Singapore). He is the Immediate Past President of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), which serves as Nigeria's overarching platform for advocating and fostering gas-related development. Ed is devoted to harnessing the potential of domestic gas within the energy value chain. His commitment in this realm was recognized when he was recently honored as the African Gas Advocate of the Year 2022. He is an active member of various professional associations, including the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He is happily married with children.

Ralph Gbobo

Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Gas

Ralph Gbobo is an experienced Commercial Opportunity Manager with a strong track record across the full gas and hydrocarbon value chain. He brings proven expertise in Gas Value Chain Integration, Asset Commercial Management (including Unitization and Third-Party Crude Handling), Non-Operated Venture Governance, and Crude & Product Trading Development and Operations. Ralph is a strategic commercial leader and skilled negotiator, known for structuring innovative, customer specific solutions that drive measurable value. He has successfully managed complex external stakeholder relationships, consistently safeguarding and enhancing corporate value and reputation. He is recognized for building, leading, and developing high-performing teams, while effectively managing risk, prioritizing competing demands, and shaping value-driven commercial strategies that deliver sustainable business outcomes.

Engr. Effiong Udofia Okon

Managing Director, ANOH Gas Processing

Engr. Effiong Udofia Okon, FNSE (Effy) is currently the Managing Director of ANOH Gas Processing Company Limited (AGPC), which is an Incorporated Joint Venture between NNPC Limited (NNPCL) and Seplat Energy PLC. He joined Seplat in February 2018 as Executive Director/Operations Director and was subsequently appointed Director New Energy in July 2022 and MD AGPC in May 2024. Effy started his career with Shell in 1992 as a Reservoir Engineer and has worked in various capacities local and international during his 26 years career with Shell. Prior to joining Seplat, in 2018 Engr. Okonwas appointed Vice President Cost Leadership and Continuous Improvement for Royal Dutch Shell, The Netherlands. Prior appointments include General Manager Deepwater Production for Shell Nigeria, Manager Offshore Assets (Shallow Water and Deepwater), Manager North Field Qatar (largest gas field in the world – 1,500 Tcf) Wells and Reservoir, Deputy Vice President Technical, Qatar Shell with key achievement in delivering the commissioning, start-up, and early production phase of two mega projects (ca. $25 Bln) for Qatar Shell (Pearl GTL and Qatar Gas LNG Trains 7 & 8). Effy’s 32 years extensive experience covers upstream and integrated oil and gas operations acrossAfrica, Europe, USA, Middle East, and Nigeria. He is primarily a Petroleum Reservoir Engineer with extensive experience across all aspects of the Exploration & Production business.

Frank Umole

Managing Director, Axxela GMI

Franklin Umole is a strategic business and energy infrastructure leader with over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and more than a decade in executive leadership. His career spans global assignments with Shell in the Netherlands, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom, across diverse roles and functions. He currently serves as the Managing Director of Axxela Gas Midstream Infrastructure business, where he provides strategic leadership in expanding the company’s footprint across new frontiers. His portfolio of key initiatives includes small-scale LNG development, gas processing projects, and theacquisition of Eko Electricity Distribution Plc, amongst others, with the mandate to strengthen energy access and unlock value across the natural gas value chain. Before this role, Franklin was the Director of Business Development at Axxela, where he leveraged his technical and commercial expertise to shape major gas and power infrastructure ventures and championed Axxela’s entry into the West African regional market. He holds an MBA from Webster University (USA) and a B.Sc. (Hons) in Computer Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. With professional experience across Europe, America, and Africa, Franklin brings a global perspective, a strong public-private network, and a results-driven mindset to advancing Africa’s energy future.

Oluwole Asalu

Managing Director, Zamam Offshore Services Limited

Oluwole Asalu is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Zamam Offshore Services Limited (ZOSL), a leading Nigerian oilfield services company providing production support solutions to the oil and gas industry across Africa. Under his leadership, ZOSL delivers integrated services in Well Intervention, Drilling & Completions, Production & Evaluation, Reservoir Management, and Business optimization, positioning the company as a trusted partner to operators, regulators, and investors in the energy sector. He is an executive entrepreneur, board contributor, and technology advocate with over 20 years of multidisciplinary experience spanning consulting, technology, and oilfield services. Beyond ZOSL, Oluwole Asalu is also the founder and owner of Quomodo System Limited, a technology consulting, software development, and systems delivery company. Quomodo operates across FinancialServices, Oil & Gas, Telecommunications, Manufacturing, Conglomerates, and the Public Sector of the Nigerian economy. Oluwole studied Computer Science at the University of Benin (Uniben), and continues to champion innovation, governance, and sustainable value creation across industries.

Victor Imevbore

Managing Director, Environmental Resources Managers Limited

Mr. Victor Imevbore is a founder and Managing Director of Environmental Resources Managers Limited (ERML), one of Nigeria's foremost Environmental Social andGovernance (ESG)/Sustainable Development consulting and management firms established in 1994. He is also a founding Director and the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Chappal Energies Mauritius (CEM), a recent entrant into the Nigerian upstream sector. Mr Imevbore is an engineer, entrepreneur, and well-rounded ESGpractitioner with excellent knowledge of pure science applications required for environmental management of development activities and the associated social and cultural dimensions. For over 25 years, he has successfullyapplied scientific concepts to find fit-for-purpose solutions to environmental challenges, particularly across the energy sector (oil and gas and power) in Nigeria. He regularly manages large interdisciplinary expert teams working on sustainable development and related studies of complex development projects. His deep understanding of the biophysical and social realities of Nigeria’s Niger Delta, and the regulatory framework pertaining to the country’s oil and gas sector are widely acknowledged. In 2006, he led the ground-breaking UNDP study on the Niger Delta Human Development situation leading to the development of an Agenda for the region. In recognition of his scientific achievements, Mr. Imevbore received the Distinguished Scientist award from the Faculty of Science of the respected Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 2004, while the Environment Magazine honoured him as one of those who shape the environment in 2008. In 2022, he was listed among the top 100 environmentalists in Nigeria.

Ukandu E. Ukandu

Managing Director, FirstCap Limited

Ukandu Eme Ukandu is a Visionary leader in corporate and investment banking, bringing over 22 years of expertise in credit risk analysis, structured finance, and strategic business development. His deep industry knowledge and leadership acumen have made him a trusted partner for corporations seeking innovative financial solutions. As the Managing Director of FirstCap Limited, Ukandu is at the forefront of driving corporate finance strategy, leveraging his extensive experience to strengthen the firm’s market position and expand its service offerings. Prior to this, he led one of the largest business groups within First Bank of Nigeria’s Corporate Banking Directorate, where he played a pivotal role in shaping high-impact financial transactions and fostering strategic partnerships. His career spans leadership roles at Citi, Stanbic IBTC, First City Monument Bank, and Zenith Bank Plc, where he spearheaded complex financial deals, advised multinational corporations, and built high performing teams. His ability to navigate dynamic financial markets and drive growth has cemented his reputation as a key industry leader. Ukandu holds a BSc and MSc in Economics from the University of Calabar and an Executive MBA from the China Europe International Business School. With a track record of delivering transformational financialsolutions, he continues to shape the future of banking and investment in Nigeria and beyond.

Salahudeen Tahir

Managing Director, NETCO, NNPC Limited

Engr. Salahuddeen M. Tahir is a seasoned oil and gas professional with over twenty-three (23) years of distinguished experience spanning engineering, project delivery, asset and investment management and gas infrastructure development. He currently serves as the Managing Director of NNPC Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO) Ltd, a strategic subsidiary of NNPC Limited. Prior to his appointment as Managing Director of NETCO, he served as Head, Asset and Investment Management at NNPC Gas and Power Investment Services (NGPIS) Ltd (October 2022 – September 2025), where he oversaw NNPC’s interests in LNG, power, and gas-based industries. His earlier rolesinclude Manager, Planning and Budget at NGIC; Project Engineer and Technical Assistant to the Managing Director of NGPTC Ltd; Superintendent roles across gas supply coordination and gas processing facilities; and core technical positions within NAPIMS and NNPC Research & Development. Engr. Tahir has received numerous professional commendations and awards in recognition of his outstanding contributions to engineering excellence, gas infrastructure development, and strategic transformation within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

Roasario Osobase

Managing Director, Tenaris Global Services

Rosario is a well-rounded professional with two decades of experience across several industries including Banking, FMCG and Energy - Oil & Gas. As the first female Managing Director for Tenaris Nigeria, Rosario is responsible for driving the company’s business agenda in Nigeria. In this role, she defines the strategy for the business in alignment with the corporate strategy, she also manages the Industrial and the commercial agenda, defines engagement with government and industry stakeholders, and execute strategies to increase Tenaris position and guarantee long-term sustainability of the business in Nigeria. She has been instrumental to enabling Tenaris increase its human capacity development and localinfrastructural deployment in Nigeria for economic advancement. She holds a first-class degree in Computing from the University of Bradford graduating with the overall best performance award and an Executive-MBA from the prestigious IMD Business School in Switzerland whereshe made the dean’s list with honors for exceptional performance. She is passionate about people, energy access and sustainable measures to enhance economic development. She is an associate of Women in Management, Business and Public Services (WIMBIZ), amember of the Women in Energy Network (WIEN) and actively volunteers her time in several industry and education programs and events.

Alex Osho

Executive Director/CFO, Waltersmith

Alex Osho serves as Executive Director/CFO at Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited and has 20 years’ experience in energy, M&A advisory, corporate & project finance, restructuring, and capital markets. Prior to joining Waltersmith Petroman as CFO in 2019, Alex served as Associate Director & Head of Advisory & Equity Capital Markets at FBNQuest where he led the US$1billion restructuring of a large commercial bank and advised the FGN on the privatization of key power assets. Alex also previously served as VP (Investment Banking, Oil & Gas, Power & Utilities and Emerging Markets M&A) at Barclays Africa where he advised a Nigerian upstream oil company on a key asset acquisition. Alex holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting (1st class honours) from the University of Benin, Nigeria, graduating as the best student in the department and faculty. He also holds an MBA (with Distinction) from INSEAD where he graduated on the Dean’s List. He is also a CFA charter holder, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a winner of several ICAN national merit awards.

Riverson Oppong (Ph.D.)

SPE Africa Regional Director

With decades of Global experience across the value chain in the oil & gas, and energy industry, he is currently the CEO/Industrial Coordinator of the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), Ghana. He is also an Adjunct Lecturer at Ghana Technology University College, a Coventry University Campus in Africa; and a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). He is an E&P Committee Member of the International Gas Union (IGU). He is also the Africa Regional Director of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), even as he continues to serve as a Board Director of SPE International. He is an experienced Oil and Gas Business Analyst with solid technical and commercial knowledge in oil and gas field development planning and portfolio management. He holds a Ph.D. and a Post Doctorate Degree in International Oil and Gas Management - Finance and Economics from Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas; Diploma in Earth GeoScience from Stanford University, USA; Masters (with honors) in Petroleum Engineering from Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, with Masters Exchange Program in Arctic Development from Norwegian University of Nordland; a Bachelors degree in Materials (Industrial) Science and Engineering from K.N.U.S.T., Ghana; Diploma in Project Management from Institute of Commercial Management, UK.

Chi Chi Emenike

Nigerian Gas Association Council Member & Study Group Chair

Engr. Chichi Emenike has over twenty six (26) years experience in the Oil and Gas Industry spanning across the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. She holds a Bachelors in Engineering and an MBA in Oil & Gas Management from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen plus is a Fellow of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), a certified member with the Council for The Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) and a founding member Women In Energy Network (WIEN). She started her early career in the Nigerian Oil & Gas industry as a Project Engineer with Exxon Mobil Nigeria in 1999 and is currently on OML42 in Nigeria in Neconde Energy Limited as the Acting Managing Director as well as the Gas Asset Manager where she is responsible for consolidating and increasing the Asset’s current production of Gas and Crude with a focus on workovers, drilling campaigns and facility uptime with KPOs of value optimization for growth and profitability. She was one of the key leads on the team which secured and signed a Finance, Technical and Services Agreement (FTSA) on OML42 in 2022 which will have investments and injection of financing into the development of the Asset over a fifteen (15) year period.She remains committed to actively creating opportunities especially for women in Oil and Gas projects.

Francis Nwaochei

SPE Nigeria Council Chair

Engr. Francis Ijeoma Nwaochei is a distinguished Petroleum Engineer with extensive leadership experience in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and a COREN-registered engineer. He holds a B.Eng in Petroleum Engineering and an M.Eng in Engineering Management from the University of Benin, an MBA from Imperial College London, and completed the Harvard Business School Senior Executive Program – Africa. Engr. Nwaochei currently serves as Council Chairman, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council, where he promotes professional development and energy transition initiatives. At Chevron Nigeria Limited, he isDeputy General Manager, Deepwater & PSCs, Partner Relations and Regulatory Affairs, with prior leadership roles in deepwater operations, asset management, and production optimization. A published author in the SPE OnePetro database and writer of the devotional Quickword, he is widely respected for his commitment to ethical leadership, capacity building, and mentoring young engineers.

Chikezie Nwosu

GCEO, HSI Energies

Mr. Chikezie Nwosu is a senior executive with over 34 years local and international experience in the energy industry with proven expertise in the management of upstream oil & gas projects, new business development, divestments and acquisitions, midstream gas, downstream refining, and renewable energy strategies. Mr. Nwosu has worked with leading international oil and gas services and E&P companiesincluding Western Atlas Logging Services, Shell, as Deputy Managing Director (Technical), SINOPEC-Addax Petroleum Nigeria and Managing Director/CEO, Waltersmith. He served on the Boards of Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria Limited, Addax Petroleum Exploration Nigeria Limited, Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited and Waltersmith Refining & Petrochemical Company Limited. In 2021, he was recognized as the Nigerian Oil & Gas CEO of the Year (Integrated) by BusinessDay of Nigeria and has been profiled by Forbes Africa, Africa Oil & Gas magazine, Foreign Investment Network UK, The Energy Year, The Business Year and many others. He is the Co-Founder and GCEO of HSI Energies Limited, whose subsidiary, HSI Refining & Petrochemical Limited, is building the 10,000bopd Refinery in Abia State.

Elozino Olaniyan

CEO, Midwestern Oil & Gas Company Limited

Elozino Olaniyan is a seasoned engineer and business leader with over three decades of experience spanning the entire hydrocarbon value chain, from technical and commercial operations to safety, environment, and strategic leadership. She has been appointed as the first female Chief Executive Officer of Midwestern Oil & Gas Company Limited, a leading indigenous independent energy company in Nigeria, with effect from December 1, 2025. Earlier in her career, she oversaw Shell Nigeria’s onshore commercial portfolio, achieving more than $500 million in annual revenue and introducing innovative approaches to the monetization of crude handling services agreements and also creating value from the gas to power business (Afam VI). She played a keyrole in addressing the complexities within the domestic gas business landscape, structured and negotiated strategic gas agreements, and delivered ca.20% increase in domestic gas supply, thereby making significant contributions to the Nigerian energy sector. She has also led deepwater planning portfolios valued at over $12 billion, and championed production optimization initiatives that delivered sustained hydrocarbon output across Shell Nigeria’s assets. Elozino is passionate about people development, her focus is mentoring and developing the next generation of engineers and leaders, particularly women in energy and STEM fields.

Labake Abijoye-Richard

CEO & Principal Consultant, AR Initiative

Labake Ajiboye-Richard is a sustainability professional and the Principal Consultant at The AR Initiative, a sustainability and impact advisory firm in Nigeria that supports businesses across Africa in integrating sustainability into strategy and operations. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of Africa Sustainability Magazine, a digital publication amplifying sustainability trends and initiatives on the continent. Her work focuses on the intersection of sustainability and African development. She co-hosts the award winning Sustainability and Climate Podcast, where she engages leaders from global organisations such as Ikea, Virgin Atlantic, JP Morgan, Standard Chartered, and EY in conversations on climate action and impact. Labake has gained experience working with organisations such as Goldman Sachs, the Small Arms Survey, and The Borgen Project, in roles spanning community engagement, policy advocacy, and strategy. She has since built expertise in using data-driven approaches to support systemic change, culminating in the founding of The AR Initiative, which is shaping how businesses in Africa approach climate resilience and environmental impact. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (Double Honours) from the University of Massachusetts and a Master of Arts in Development Studies from the Graduate Institute, Geneva. She has also completed executive programmes with the International Labour Organisation, Harvard University, and Stanford University.

David Ige

CEO, GasInvest & GasHub Nigeria

David is the Founder/CEO of GasInvest Limited – a bespoke natural gas consulting and project development company in Nigeria. He is also CEO of GasHub Limited (GasDistribution & Marketing Company) and Riverside LNG Limited (a 1.2MTPA LNG Project Development Company). David was Group Executive Director – Gas & Power, at Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigeria’s national oil company(2011/15). He also held roles as Adviser to the Honorable Minister of Petroleum. Prior to NNPC, he worked in Strategy Consulting with Accenture’s Energy Practice in London and as a Petroleum Engineer with Shell International Petroleum Company in Scotland, UK and Nigeria. He has held diverse Board Positions including member of the Board of NNPC, Board member of the Brass LNG company, Chairman of the Nigerian Shipping and Manning Company (subsidiary of NLNG), Chairman of the Board of West African Gas Pipeline Company. He’s currently Independent Non-Executive Board Member of Frontier Oil Limited. David is Author and Champion of the development and implementation of Nigeria’s Gas Master Plan – the maiden Natural gas policy document for Nigeria. He also had the responsibility to drive NNPC’s gas andpower business, including its’ shareholding in various LNG businesses.

Oga Adejo-Ogiri

CEO Highland LNG Ltd

Oga Adejo-Ogiri is a seasoned energy professional with over 25 years of experience in technical, managerial and policy roles. He previously held senior management roles atAxxela, a leading indigenous gas distribution and infrastructure development company. Prior to Axxela, he had a brief stint working as a Technical Adviser seconded to the Oil & Gas Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance at the time headed by the renowned Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Earlier in his career, he held commercial/economics and petroleum engineering roles with Shell Petroleum Development Company in Nigeria. He is currently the Executive Secretary of the Association of Local Distributors of Gas and also the Principal Consultant of Vappax Advisory, an energy consulting firm.

Chidi Amudo

CEO & Co-Founder, MudoZangl

Chidi Amudo is the CEO and Co-Founder of MudoZangl, a technology and advisory firm operating at the intersection of the energy and financial sectors, supporting organizations in delivering sustainable growth through data-driven decision-making. A highly accomplished petroleum engineer and E&P industry leader, he brings over 30 years of global experience spanning reservoir engineering, integrated. Over his career, Chidi has led multi-million-dollar projects across conventional and unconventional assets and has played a key role in deploying scalable digital oilfield, integrated planning, carbon management, and integrated gas management solutions. These initiatives improve forecasting accuracy, operationalcoordination, and capital efficiency, while directly supporting the role of natural gas as a transition fuel in emerging and developing energy markets. His international experience includes residential and leadership roles in Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, Oman, Brunei, and the United States, where he has worked with leading organizations such as Shell, Schlumberger, Chevron, Petroleum Development Oman, and PetroSA. Chidi is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, a past SPE Distinguished Lecturer, a recipient of multiple SPE Outstanding Technical Editor Awards, and a former Fellow of Engineers Australia.

Ladi Soyombo

CEO, SNL Technology

Ladi Soyombo is the Chief Executive Officer of SNL Technology Services, an energy technology company delivering advanced engineering, digital operations, and fluidsystem solutions to Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector. SNL Tech is the authorized sales agent for Swagelok products for Swagelok Sub Saharan Africa, a major provider of fluid system solutions, supporting the design, deployment, and integrity of critical fluid and instrumentation systems. Prior to his current role, Soyombo served as Lead Petroleum Engineer at a London-listed exploration and production company, where he led reservoir and production optimization initiatives that delivered measurable increases in oil output through data-driven field development strategies and operational efficiency improvements. Under his leadership, SNL Technology Services has been at the forefront of digital transformation in Nigeria’s energy sector, pioneering intelligent digital operations through a landmark partnership with IFS, a global enterprise software company. Ladi Soyombo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and a Master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot-Watt University. He also completed an executive management programme at London Business School.

Rotimi Thomas

CEO & Co-Founder, SunFi

Rotimi Thomas is the CEO and Co-Founder of SunFi, an Omnichannel platform unlocking Africa’s clean energy economy by empowering Solar Installer Sales agents with tools and infrastructure to transition end consumers to accessible and sustainable solar and clean energy solutions. With an extensive background in energy modeling, infrastructure finance, project development, and management, Rotimi has been instrumental in scaling SunFi's impact. The company has exceeded 7MW of installed capacity, saving consumers over $2million annually, and is impacting over 50,000 lives annually. Before SunFi, Rotimi co-founded and helped build Aspire PowerSolutions, a Solar Installation and Services company in Nigeria. He also held a leadership position at Siemens as the Head of Market Development and Development Capital for sub-Saharan Africa, Gas to Power group until December 2018. He joined Siemens in 2013 through the company's Finance Excellence Program (CFO training program). Rotimi completed his Master In Business Administration (MBA) and Master in Environmental Management (MEM) at Duke University in 2013. Rotimi enjoys martial arts, listening to andmaking music, food, traveling, and other hobbies. He speaks intermediate German and enjoys mentoring talent including future entrepreneurs and MBAs.

Damilola Owolabi-Osinusi

CEO, SELAI Gas

Damilola Owolabi-Osinusi, a trailblazer in the energy sector, she is the driving forcebehind SELAI Gas’s remarkable journey. With deep-rooted passion for clean energy, innovation, and sustainability, Damilola has revolutionized household cooking fuel experiences, earning a reputation for delivering value-added services that enhance Africa's oil and gas industry. As the MD/CEO of Selai Gas, she is widely known for her undaunted passion to promote rural adpotion of clean cooking through the use of LPG. She takes pride in the capacity of her company to provide seamless distribution and affordable delivery of cooking gas across communities. Damilola is a well-studied entrepreneur. She got her first degree from Madonna University Nigeria, and executive certificate in the Owner-Managers Programme (OMP) from the prestigious Lagos Business School, as well as the Strathmore Business School Kenya. Through her enterprises, she has funded commendable community projects implemented by renowned non-governmental organizations like Exquisite Magazine Annual Cancer Event, Slum2School, TeenGeneral Assembly, and many more.

Oliver Onyekweli

Partner, McKinsey

Mr. Oliver Onyekweli is a Partner at McKinsey & Company, based in Lagos Nigeria, where he leads the firm’s West African Energy Practice. Over the past 10 years, Oliver has supported oil and gas majors, national oil companies, and independents in Nigeria and across the globe on a range of topics including operational improvement, organizational change, merger integrations and corporate strategy. He has also supported several African governments on their national energy planning initiatives. Oliver is an expert on the Nigerian oil and gas ecosystem and brings a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges that characterize the basin. He also has significant experience advisingstakeholders in Nigeria’s power sector. Prior to joining McKinsey, Oliver was an oil and gas investment banker in North America, where he focused on raising financing and advising on mergers and acquisitions for mid-cap exploration and production companies operating across Canada and the United States. During this time, Oliver was involved in over USD 5 billion in transaction advisory. Oliver holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. Oliver is also a CFA charterholder.

Ola Alokolaro

Partner, Advocaat

Ola Alokolaro is a seasoned legal practitioner with years of critical experience in corporate and commercial legal practice and core expertise in handling legal issuesrelating to power, aviation, shipping, energy and infrastructure. He is well versed in electricity, finance, oil, gas, and solid minerals law and has advised several independent power producers, exploration and production companies, oil service contractors, multinationals, and high net worth clients on a wide range of assignments. He also provides advice and assistance on Legal & Policy Issues on electricity, mining and oil and gas; Legal and Legislative Drafting of statutory Instruments; together with all aspects of Law relating to the energy and infrastructure sector. He studied at the University of Buckingham, England, UK, holds a master’s degree in Natural Resources Law and Policy from the (Centre for Energy Petroleum Mineral Law and Policy) University of Dundee, Scotland, UK and has attended several continuing education courses such as: The Law firm Partner as Leader at the Cambridge Judge Business School University of Cambridge; and Regulation of Gas Markets from the Florence School of Regulation, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute. Ola is currently the Partner and Head of the Energy and Infrastructure team at Advocaat Law Practice.

Oladipo Ashafa

VP Operations & Asset Management, Chappal Energies

Oladipo (Dipo) Ashafa is an energy management professional with about two decades of Upstream and Midstream experience across multiple regions. He currently is, the Vice President of Operations and Asset Management at Chappal Energies. His career includes pivotal roles at Shell, where he led Petroleum Engineering, Hydrocarbon Maturation, and Planning and Performance management teams across Shell Nigerian assets (SPDC and SNEPCo). He also held multiple global Asset Management portfolio roles in the Hague, such as the Strategic Business Advisor and Global Digital Business Opportunity Manager, Planning & Performance Manager for Shell Nigeria Deepwater. Most recently, he was the Asset Development and Subsurface Manager for Shell Development Petroleum Company’s Western & Shallow Water Asset, actively working to sustain and grow ~100kbopd oil and ~100mmscf gas production from 20 land, swamp, and Shallow water fields. He is an alumnus of The University of Oklahoma (BSc Petroleum Engineering) and Heriot-Watt University(MSc Petroleum Engineering) and the current Board Chairperson for the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Lagos Section.

Chris Jablonski

Director of Commercial, Chevron Nigeria Limited

Chris Jablonski currently leads commercial activities for Chevron’s Nigeria and mid-Africa business. This includes evolving the portfolio for competitive growth, maximizing the value of liquid and gas production, and stewarding underlying performance improvements. He also serves on the boards of the West African Pipeline Company and N-Gas. Prior to his current role, Chris Jablonski was vice president of Downstream Technology & Services within the Chevron Technical Center and site director for the Richmond Technology Center (RTC). Chris oversaw the development and deployment of Downstream-related technology for Chevron. He also served on the Boards of Advanced Refining Technologies and Chevron Lummus Global. Previously, Chris was the Country Chairman for Korea and Resident Director of GS Caltex. Prior to his role in Korea, Chris lived in Singapore and led Chevron’s value chain organization, which is responsible for optimizing the crude and product supply chain for the refinery and fuels marketing businesses within the Asia Pacific region. In this capacity, Chris was also responsible for leading the development and execution of strategy for the business. Chris also served as a director on the board of Singapore Refining Company, a joint venture between Chevronand Singapore Petroleum Company Limited. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Cincinnati and a M.B.A. from the University of Southern California.

George Toriola

GM, Strategy & Business Development, FIRST E&P

Mr. Toriola is an accomplished E&P professional with over 30 years of experience in the energy industry. He has held several leadership positions in both the Energy and Finance sectors, overseeing acquisitions, startups, operations, development, and the integration of energy assets. Additionally, he has led initiatives in business development, project execution, portfolio management, and asset rationalization across the hydrocarbon value chain. Before joining FIRST E&P, Mr. Toriola was the Managing Partner at aboutique investment firm, where he was responsible for enhancing the value of energy businesses in various geographies worldwide. Prior to this, he served as the Managing Director at Newcross Exploration & Production Limited. Mr. Toriola holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University.

Yetunde Odejobi

GM Operations, Gas Aggregator Company Nigeria Ltd/Gte

Mrs. Yetunde Odejobi is a seasoned executive with over two decades cognate experience in the oil and gas industry. She currently serves as a secondee from Total Energies EP Nigeria Limited, in the capacity of the General Manager - Operations of Gas Aggregator Company Nigeria Ltd/Gte (GACN); an organization established in 2010 as a key implementation vehicle for the National Domestic Supply and Pricing Regulations and whose membership composition spans the entire Natural Gas Value Chain (ie. Upstream, Midstream and Downstream). In this position, she provides strategic and operational leadership inpromoting commercialization of domestic gas, thus ensuring that natural gas gets to where it is most needed – powering industries, electrifying homes and supporting infrastructure for sustainable growth incountry. Prior to her current role in GACN, she held a number of senior positions in the Crude Oil & Gas Commercial Department in TotalEnergies, where she led activities such as negotiation of Sale and Purchase Agreements for export gas, domestic gas, crude oil and condensate.

Faizan Hassan

GM, Commercial Esso E & P Nigeria Limited

Faizan Hassan has 15 years of business development experience pursuing Upstreamand Midstream opportunities in North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. He is currently ExxonMobil's General Manager for Commercial & Development in Nigeria. In this role, he is responsible for working with ExxonMobil's co-venturers and government agencies to enable growth and the development of new resources Faizan holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has spent the majority of his career in commercial and business development roles spanning commodities trading, fiscal agreements, strategy and capital allocation, development planning, and acquisitions and divestments. Professionally, he is a passionate believer in structuring deals that provide a mutually beneficial and sustained growth platform for all parties. Faizan is married and has two children (ages five and one) who keep him happily occupied during evenings and weekends. He has been living in Lagos with his family since 2023 and enjoys days spent at the beach and evening exploring Lagos's vibrant restaurant scene.

Viola Opara

Head, IoT Solutions, MTN Nigeria

Viola Opara is a dynamic professional in the technology and telecommunications sectors. With a strong background in digital transformation and ICT infrastructure, she has established herself as a forward-thinking leader passionate about leveraging technology to drive sustainable growth across the continent. As the Head, IoT Solutions, MTN Nigeria, her career reflects a blend of technical knowledge and strategic vision. She holds certifications in IoT and Digital Transformation from Cisco, underscoring her commitment to staying at the forefront of emerging technologies. Beyond her corporate role, Viola has been an active member of the Nigeria BICSI Steering and Planning Committee since 2015, where she supports initiatives that strengthen IT systems and infrastructure standards in the region. Viola is also a vocal advocate for renewable energy solutions for telecom towers, championing innovations that reduce reliance on traditional power sources and enhance sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa. She believes deeply in African-led innovation, promoting solutions designed by Africans to meet Africa’s uniquechallenges. Viola is an alum of the IESE Business School.

Nwachukwu Aniagolu

Senior Manager, Upstream Commercial Gas, Chevron

Aniagolu is an accomplished oil and gas leader with over twenty years of global experience across commercial negotiations, business development, operations, facilities engineering and logistics functions in two oil majors – Chevron and ExxonMobil – on 3 continents. Nwachu is currently Senior Manager, Upstream Commercial – Gas at Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), where he heads a team focused on Nigeria domestic and West Africa regional gas sales/contract administration, business development, and commercial strategy. He also oversees Chevron’s key commercial interfaces with the NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), and the company’s regulatory advocacy on sector‑defining issues such as gas pricing, the Network Code and Domestic Gas Delivery Obligations, and interfacing with Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative. He holds the TRIUM Global Executive MBA (NYU Stern, LSE, HEC Paris, 2018) and an M.Eng in Systems Engineering from Loughborough University, UK (2001), and has completed executive programs at INSEAD and London Business School. He is also a long‑standing Member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (UK).

Ijeoma Isichei

Commercial Manager, West Africa Gas Limited

She is a Business Leader with over 20 years of cumulative experience in the Oil and Gas Space and the investment banking industry. She has carved a niche as an Oil & Gas commercial management executive and business development expert across West Africa. She holds an Engineering Degree (MEng) from Birmingham University, UK, and an Executive MBA from the Imperial College Business School, UK. She has led several gas commercial negotiations and operations in the downstream business, as well as in the domestic & export gas business, since the incorporation of WAGL Energy Ltd (WAGL) in 2013, a JV Company established for the trading and distribution of gas volumes. She currently heads WAGL’s commercial operations, overseeing all its transactions and commercial contract negotiations, whilst interfacing with NNPC Ltd. She also oversees the Company’s commercial thrusts for infrastructure projects (including one FPSO andWAGL’s LPG Fleet of 3 Mid-sized and 2 Handy-sized Carriers).

Adetowun Adekoya

Commercial & Planning Manager, Integrated Gas Ventures, Asharami Energy

Hassannah Salami

DM, Well Completions, Antan Producing Ltd

Hassannah Salami is a Completion Engineering professional with over 16 years ofindustry experience and currently serves as Deputy Manager, Well Completions at Antan Producing Limited, an NNPC subsidiary. She is also the Secretary of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Lagos Section, where she actively supports initiatives focused on technical excellence, talent development, and industry collaboration. Throughout her career, Hassannah has contributed to multiple well delivery projects, authored technical papers, and remains passionate about mentoring young professionals and promoting STEM education across Nigeria.gies Limited, whose subsidiary, HSI Refining & Petrochemical Limited, is building the 10,000bopd Refinery in Abia State.