Savannah Energy Appoints Two Nigerians as Independent Non-Executive Directors

 

 Uyi Akpata                          Kehinde Ogunwumiju

British independent energy company, Savannah Energy PLC has announced key board changes as part of its ongoing succession planning process, including the appointment of two Nigerians, Uyi Akpata and Kehinde Olamide Ogunwumiju, as Independent Non-Executive Directors.

The company also confirmed the retirement of Sir Stephen O’Brien and David Clarkson, both long-serving members of the board who have played significant roles in shaping Savannah’s governance framework and board processes over the past eight years.

In a statement on Thursday, Savannah expressed appreciation to the outgoing directors for their “dedication and service,” noting that both would continue to provide consultancy support to the company.

Chairman of Savannah Energy, Joseph Pagop Noupoué, said the changes were part of the company’s dynamic approach to board renewal in line with its strategic direction and growth plans.

“As part of our structured approach to board renewal, their agreed retirement reflects the natural progression of our governance planning. Both have been highly valued colleagues whose insight, integrity, and presence around the Board table will be genuinely missed,” he said.

He added that the company was delighted to welcome Akpata and Ogunwumiju to the board, describing them as internationally respected professionals whose expertise in finance and legal affairs would strengthen Savannah’s governance capacity.

Mr. Akpata, a seasoned finance and audit expert, is expected to serve as Chair of the Audit Committee upon joining the board.

In their farewell remarks, both O’Brien and Clarkson expressed pride in their contributions to Savannah’s growth and transformation into a leading African energy company.

O’Brien, who served as Vice Chairman, noted that after 11 years of involvement with the company, he was stepping down “with pride in what has been built together as a team.” He said he would continue to support Savannah in a new political advisory role.

Clarkson, who joined the board in 2017, also commended the company’s progress in delivering “Projects That Matter” across Africa and confirmed his continued association with the firm as Technical Advisor to the Board.

Savannah Energy, which operates energy projects across several African countries, said the latest appointments reflect its commitment to strengthening leadership and governance in line with its expansion strategy across hydrocarbons and renewables.

New Director Biographies

Uyi Akpata

A Chartered accountant by background, with an over 40-year career, Uyi Akpata held multiple senior leadership roles at PwC, the leading international audit and professional services firm, prior to his retirement on 30 June 2024. His key roles include Senior Partner for Nigeria and Regional Senior Partner for West Africa, Head of Oil and Gas for Africa and a member of both the firm's Global Oil & Gas Leadership team and Africa Leadership team. With his assurance services background, Uyi led audit work for the energy supermajors active in Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and a host of high growth emerging energy companies. He has also supervised teams auditing companies outside of the energy sector, in areas such as financial services, consumer goods and agriculture. More recently, in October 2024, Uyi founded Rusa Advisory, where he specialises in providing governance and risk management advisory services, partnering with business leaders to drive sustainable growth, efficiency and profitability. 

Uyi is currently Chairman of the Board of emPLE Life Insurance, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Unified Payments Limited, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Unity Schools Old Students Association and President of the Nigerian Cricket Federation. He also served as Chairman of the Professional Services Group of the Nigeria British Chamber of Commerce. Uyi holds a Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) in Accounting from the University of Lagos. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and is currently a Fellow of the Institute. In recognition of his contributions to the business environment in Nigeria, Uyi was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Management Science by Wellspring University in 2018. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Miva Open University, where he also serves as Professor of Practice in Financial Accounting.

Kehinde Olamide Ogunwumiju O.F.R., S.A.N., FCIArb. (U.K.)

Kehinde is the Managing Partner at Afe Babalola & Co, a leading African law firm. Since his appointment in 2017, and continuing to date, he has remained one of the youngest Senior Advocates of Nigeria ("SAN"), the Nigerian equivalent of a King's Counsel, ever appointed. His practice has seen him successfully represent the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in over 100 disputes and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in multiple international disputes, including against a near US$5 billion claim at the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes ("ICSID") in Washington DC. He has worked on many Nigerian and international arbitrations.

Kehinde received the prestigious Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic ("OFR") as part of the National Honours List from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) UK, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria ("CIIN"), the International Bar Association and the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture, and is an associate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria ("ICSAN"), the professional body for corporate governance practitioners in Nigeria.

Kehinde began his legal education at the University of Ibadan, where he earned his LL.B with Honours. He continued his studies at the Nigerian Law School, obtaining his B.L. in 2005, and then pursued an LL.M. in International Commercial Law at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England, in 2007.