Levene Energy has announced the appointment of Nneka Arowolo as its new Group Managing Director, effective February 2026 — a strategic leadership transition signalling the next phase of growth and operational excellence for the company.
A multi-faceted energy sector leader
Mrs. Arowolo brings almost two decades of high-impact experience across multiple disciplines in the oil and gas sector, having spent close to 17 years in progressively senior roles with ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria.
Her career at ExxonMobil demonstrates a breadth of operational experience across:
- Strategic sourcing and procurement as a Strategic Sourcing Analyst and Senior Procurement Services Coordinator;
- Commercial leadership as Commercial Advisor, managing complex contracts and negotiations;
- Cross-functional planning and execution as Development Planner, where she integrated commercial strategy with operational delivery in highly complex environments involving supply chain, risk and stakeholder engagement.
This range of roles shows a career progression rooted in business strategy, procurement optimisation, negotiation mastery and relationship building, laying a strong foundation for her new leadership mandate.
Leadership ethos and professional voice
On professional platforms, Mrs. Arowolo has engaged on themes such as leadership effectiveness and professional development, sharing insights that reflect a reflective and values-oriented leadership style. She has highlighted leadership lessons from thought leaders and emphasised the importance of seeing greatness in others — a philosophy that aligns with her reputation for collaborative leadership and mentorship.
Academic excellence and commercial grounding
Before her distinguished energy sector career, Mrs. Arowolo worked in financial services in Chicago, strengthening her commercial perspective. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (Honors) and an MBA with specialisations in Strategy, Finance and Entrepreneurship from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business — credentials that underscore her strategic and analytical strengths.
Leadership transition and strategic continuity
Upon assumption of office, Mrs. Arowolo will oversee Levene Energy’s day-to-day operations, succeeding Founder and outgoing Group Chief Executive Officer Nzan Ogbe. Mr. Ogbe will transition to a more Strategy-focused Board role, maintaining strategic oversight while championing governance and long-term vision.
The Board noted that Mrs. Arowolo’s global perspective, commercial judgement, and values-driven leadership are strongly aligned with the Group’s ambitions for sustainable growth, strong governance, and operational excellence.
Reflecting on the appointment, Mr. Ogbe said:
“Nneka’s appointment as Group Managing Director represents an important milestone in the evolution of Levene Energy. Her depth of experience across global energy operations, strong commercial judgment, and proven ability to lead make her exceptionally well-suited to drive the next phase of our growth.”
Mrs. Arowolo’s elevation reinforces Levene Energy’s commitment to leadership continuity, strong corporate governance, and value creation for stakeholders as the company deepens its footprint in Nigeria’s dynamic energy landscape.
About Levene Energy
Levene Energy Development Limited is a Nigerian-born integrated energy company with a dynamic portfolio spanning high-volume crude and refined product trading, oilfield services, renewable energy and now midstream gas infrastructure. Established in 2012 and scaling significantly from 2015, Levene has diversified from commodity trading into value-chain energy solutions and infrastructure, including strategic investments in solar manufacturing and mini-grids. In January 2026, the company secured a US $64 million acquisition finance facility from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to support its equity commitment to acquire a 30 % stake in Axxela Limited, a leading regulated gas and power infrastructure operator, underscoring growing institutional confidence in its transition toward stable, infrastructure-backed earnings and recurring revenue streams. The company is led by founder Nzan Ogbe, operates internationally with offices in Lagos, Abuja, London, Dubai and Mauritius, and combines deep local market insight with global governance standards to advance energy security and regional economic development in West Africa.
