Seplat Energy Advocates for Sustainable, Secure Energy to Reshape Nigeria’s Future
Seplat Energy Plc, a leading Nigerian independent energy company, has underscored the urgent need for Nigeria to adopt a sustainable, secure, and inclusive energy system to transform the nation’s economic and social landscape. Speaking at the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Annual International Conference & Exhibition (NAICE) 2025 in Lagos, Samson Ezugworie, representing Seplat Energy’s CEO Roger Brown, emphasized that the global shift toward cleaner energy sources presents Nigeria with both a climate obligation and a significant economic opportunity.
A Call for Systemic Energy Transformation
Ezugworie highlighted Nigeria’s dual challenge: meeting growing domestic energy demand while responding to global calls for a low-carbon future. With over 140 million Nigerians—approximately 70% of the population—lacking access to reliable electricity, and many relying on polluting fuels like diesel and petrol generators for cooking and transport, the need for a robust energy transition is critical. He argued that energy must be viewed as a system requiring transformation across multiple fronts, including technology, supply chains, human resources, and policy.
- Technology: Innovations such as off-grid solar, smart grids, clean cooking solutions, and digital monitoring are essential. These must be accessible, scalable, and locally adapted to address Nigeria’s unique energy challenges.
- Supply Chains: Described as the “invisible threads” linking innovation to impact, resilient and transparent supply chains are needed to serve both urban and rural areas effectively.
- Human Resources: Nigeria’s workforce is its greatest asset. Investing in skills development and local talent is crucial for driving the energy transition.
- Policy: The government’s role in creating an attractive regulatory and pricing regime is vital to encourage private-sector investment and innovation, particularly in off-grid solutions and clean cooking fuels like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan and Seplat’s Role
Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP), launched at COP26 in 2021 and updated in 2024, targets universal energy access by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2060. The plan aims to deploy 13 million electric vehicles by 2050 and achieve 30 GW of grid-connected capacity with at least 30% from renewables by 2030. Seplat Energy is aligning its operations with these goals, focusing on low-carbon oil and gas developments and significant investments in gas infrastructure.
Seplat’s initiatives include:
- Sapele Gas Plant: A $250 million investment to produce liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), enhancing domestic gas supply and supporting cleaner cooking solutions.
- ANOH Gas Processing Plant: A $650 million project set to produce 300 million cubic feet of gas per day, slated for commissioning in 2024, to bolster Nigeria’s gas-driven energy transition.
- ExxonMobil Acquisition: In 2024, Seplat acquired Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited for $1.28 billion, tripling its production capacity and gaining control of key assets like the Qua Iboe oil terminal and three export terminals. This move strengthens Seplat’s position as a steward of Nigeria’s natural resources, with 2025 production targets of 120,000 to 140,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd).
Economic and Social Impacts
Seplat’s investments are projected to create significant economic value, with the potential to add $18.3 billion to Nigeria’s economy through gas utilization. The company’s efforts to revive over 400 idle oil wells and expand gas infrastructure aim to address energy poverty, reduce reliance on diesel/petrol generators, and improve public health by minimizing pollution. Ezugworie emphasized that gas remains a critical transition fuel, given Nigeria’s 210.54 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, the largest in Africa, which can provide a low-carbon bridge to a renewable-heavy future.
However, challenges persist, including inadequate infrastructure, high fossil fuel subsidies, and institutional coordination gaps. The ETP estimates a need for $500 billion in investments by 2060, with potential fuel savings of $686 billion, but securing this funding requires robust public-private partnerships and a stable investment climate.
Addressing Environmental and Social Concerns
Seplat is committed to balancing energy security with environmental sustainability. The company advocates for eliminating gas flaring, reducing carbon intensity, and addressing oil theft to make upstream operations more efficient. Nigeria’s broader energy strategy, as outlined in the 2024 Nigeria Integrated Resource Plan, includes $122.2 billion in investments by 2045 to diversify energy sources, incorporating solar, wind, biomass, and nuclear power, with a goal of 194 GW of installed capacity, 83 GW from renewables.
Seplat also supports community engagement to ensure a just transition, aligning with recommendations from experts like Enebi Opaluwa and Kolawole Kolade, who stress the importance of inclusive policies to empower local communities and mitigate the environmental impact of oil and gas activities in regions like the Niger Delta.
Conclusion
Seplat Energy’s vision for Nigeria’s energy future aligns with the nation’s ambitious goals for sustainable development and energy access. By leveraging its vast gas reserves, investing in renewable energy infrastructure, and advocating for policy reforms, Seplat is positioning itself as a key player in Nigeria’s transition to a cleaner, more inclusive energy system. However, achieving these goals will require coordinated efforts among government, private sector, and communities to overcome systemic barriers and ensure a sustainable and equitable energy future for Nigeria’s 220 million citizens.
Disclaimer: Information is based on recent reports and may be subject to updates as projects and policies evolve.