Oil & Gas Still Central to Nigeria’s Energy Future — Seplat Boss Emphasises Responsible Transition
The Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy Plc, Roger Brown, has reaffirmed that oil and gas will continue to play a critical role in Nigeria’s energy mix, even as the country and global investors push for cleaner and more sustainable energy systems.
He stressed, however, that the real issue is not the existence of oil and gas, but how responsibly operators manage environmental, social and economic impacts.
️ Remarks Made at High-Level Climate Roundtable
Brown made the remarks through Seplat’s Director of Gas and New Energy, Okechukwu Mba, at a climate roundtable in Lagos, organised by:
• Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group)
• DEG (a German development finance institution)
• Africa Foresight Group (AFG)
The event also marked the launch of the NGX Net-Zero Programme (N-Zero).
♻️ NGX Net-Zero Programme: Unlocking Climate Capital
The NGX Net-Zero Programme aims to:
• Help listed companies define clear net-zero pathways
• Improve climate-related disclosures
• Align Nigerian firms with global investor expectations
The initiative is expected to unlock between $2.5bn and $3.1bn in climate-linked capital for Nigerian companies.
Oil & Gas: The Real Conversation
According to Brown:
“Oil and gas will remain an important part of Nigeria’s energy mix for some time to come. The right conversation is not whether oil and gas should exist, but how operators conduct themselves responsibly.”
He explained that responsible operations must go beyond rhetoric and be backed by:
• Higher operational efficiency
• Reduced emissions
• Credible offsetting strategies
Ending Gas Flaring: Seplat’s Environmental Milestone
Brown highlighted Seplat Energy’s progress in tackling gas flaring:
• The company launched a comprehensive programme several years ago to eliminate routine gas flaring
• Seplat is now close to ending routine flaring across all onshore operations
“Very soon, we will be able to clearly state that routine flaring has ended in our onshore operations,” he said.
This marks a major step in balancing energy supply with environmental stewardship.
Technology-Driven Emissions Management
Seplat Energy is deploying technology to improve environmental performance, including:
• Real-time emissions monitoring across:
• Pipelines
• Valves
• Processing plants
• A robust asset integrity programme to detect and eliminate emission sources early
The company is also implementing nature-based solutions to offset unavoidable emissions.
Capital Markets Must Drive Climate Action
At the event:
• NGX Group Chairman, Dr Umaru Kwairanga, said Africa’s capital markets must play a leading role in climate action and sustainable growth
• NGX Group CEO, Temi Popoola, noted that climate risk is now central to company valuation and capital allocation
• DEG’s Monika Beck said the partnership aligns with DEG’s goal of mobilising private capital for climate solutions
Why This Matters for Investors
• Oil and gas remain strategic to Nigeria’s energy security
• Companies that combine energy delivery with sustainability are better positioned to:
• Attract global capital
• Meet ESG expectations
• Maintain long-term licence to operate
Bottom Line
Nigeria’s energy transition is evolutionary, not abrupt. Oil and gas will remain relevant — but responsible production, transparency and emissions reduction will determine which operators win investor confidence in the years ahead.
The Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy Plc, Roger Brown, has reaffirmed that oil and gas will continue to play a critical role in Nigeria’s energy mix, even as the country and global investors push for cleaner and more sustainable energy systems.
He stressed, however, that the real issue is not the existence of oil and gas, but how responsibly operators manage environmental, social and economic impacts.
️ Remarks Made at High-Level Climate Roundtable
Brown made the remarks through Seplat’s Director of Gas and New Energy, Okechukwu Mba, at a climate roundtable in Lagos, organised by:
• Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group)
• DEG (a German development finance institution)
• Africa Foresight Group (AFG)
The event also marked the launch of the NGX Net-Zero Programme (N-Zero).
♻️ NGX Net-Zero Programme: Unlocking Climate Capital
The NGX Net-Zero Programme aims to:
• Help listed companies define clear net-zero pathways
• Improve climate-related disclosures
• Align Nigerian firms with global investor expectations
The initiative is expected to unlock between $2.5bn and $3.1bn in climate-linked capital for Nigerian companies.
Oil & Gas: The Real Conversation
According to Brown:
“Oil and gas will remain an important part of Nigeria’s energy mix for some time to come. The right conversation is not whether oil and gas should exist, but how operators conduct themselves responsibly.”
He explained that responsible operations must go beyond rhetoric and be backed by:
• Higher operational efficiency
• Reduced emissions
• Credible offsetting strategies
Ending Gas Flaring: Seplat’s Environmental Milestone
Brown highlighted Seplat Energy’s progress in tackling gas flaring:
• The company launched a comprehensive programme several years ago to eliminate routine gas flaring
• Seplat is now close to ending routine flaring across all onshore operations
“Very soon, we will be able to clearly state that routine flaring has ended in our onshore operations,” he said.
This marks a major step in balancing energy supply with environmental stewardship.
Technology-Driven Emissions Management
Seplat Energy is deploying technology to improve environmental performance, including:
• Real-time emissions monitoring across:
• Pipelines
• Valves
• Processing plants
• A robust asset integrity programme to detect and eliminate emission sources early
The company is also implementing nature-based solutions to offset unavoidable emissions.
Capital Markets Must Drive Climate Action
At the event:
• NGX Group Chairman, Dr Umaru Kwairanga, said Africa’s capital markets must play a leading role in climate action and sustainable growth
• NGX Group CEO, Temi Popoola, noted that climate risk is now central to company valuation and capital allocation
• DEG’s Monika Beck said the partnership aligns with DEG’s goal of mobilising private capital for climate solutions
Why This Matters for Investors
• Oil and gas remain strategic to Nigeria’s energy security
• Companies that combine energy delivery with sustainability are better positioned to:
• Attract global capital
• Meet ESG expectations
• Maintain long-term licence to operate
Bottom Line
Nigeria’s energy transition is evolutionary, not abrupt. Oil and gas will remain relevant — but responsible production, transparency and emissions reduction will determine which operators win investor confidence in the years ahead.