JEX Markets Limited, Nigeria’s emerging energy commodities exchange, has appointed Blessing Ayemhere as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, a strategic leadership move as the company prepares to commence gas trading operations in 2026.
The appointment, which is subject to approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission, was announced by the company and confirmed in a public statement shared by Ayemhere on LinkedIn. The new role is expected to take effect in early January 2026.
Ayemhere assumes leadership at a pivotal moment for JEX Markets, following its receipt of regulatory authorisation to operate as a gas trading platform—an important step in Nigeria’s long-running effort to build transparent, market-based pricing mechanisms for natural gas.
In his announcement, Ayemhere expressed appreciation to the company’s chairman, Oscar Onyema, for the confidence placed in him, and underscored his commitment to executing JEX Markets’ mandate of strengthening energy market infrastructure in Nigeria and across Africa.
“I am honoured to lead JEX Markets at this defining moment, as we work to build a credible, transparent and liquid marketplace that supports Nigeria’s gas-led industrialisation strategy,” Ayemhere said.
Strategic Timing for Nigeria’s Gas Market
JEX Markets’ leadership transition comes amid renewed policy emphasis on natural gas as Nigeria’s transition fuel, with government and regulators pushing for deeper domestic utilisation, transparent pricing, and improved investor confidence.
The exchange has received key licences from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, positioning it to facilitate spot and forward trading in natural gas once operations begin.
Industry analysts say the appointment of a CEO with deep experience in energy markets, infrastructure development and corporate governance is critical as JEX Markets moves from regulatory approvals to operational execution.
Mandate and Market Expectations
According to company disclosures, Ayemhere’s mandate will include:
Launching JEX Markets’ gas trading operations
Deepening market participation and liquidity
Strengthening governance and institutional credibility
Engaging regulators, producers, off-takers and financial institutions
The exchange is expected to play a role in addressing long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s gas market, including opaque pricing, contract enforcement concerns and limited secondary trading options.
Leadership Profile
Ayemhere brings more than two decades of senior-level experience across energy, infrastructure and capital markets, with a track record in project development, market structuring and corporate transformation. His appointment is seen as reinforcing JEX Markets’ ambition to align local gas trading with international best practices.
As Nigeria seeks to unlock its vast gas reserves to support power generation, industrialisation and export growth, market participants will be watching closely to see how JEX Markets executes under its new leadership.
