British Energy company Savannah Energy has appointed two Nigerians Uyi Akpata and Kehinde Olamide Ogunwumiju to its board as Independent Non-Executive Directors.
This follows the retirement of Stephen O’Brien and David Clarkson from the board. Upon joining the Board, Akpata is expected to serve as Chair of the Audit Committee.
Announcing the appointment, Joseph Pagop Noupoué, Chairman of Savannah said
“The changes announced this morning form part of Savannah’s ongoing and dynamic Board succession planning process, which is designed to evolve in step with the Company’s strategic direction, operational priorities, and growth trajectory.
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to wish Sir Stephen and David every success in the future. As part of our structured approach to Board renewal, their agreed retirement reflects the natural progression of our governance planning.
“That said, both have been highly valued colleagues whose insight, integrity, and presence around the Board table will be genuinely missed. We are delighted that both have agreed to take on ongoing consultancy roles, ensuring the Company can continue to benefit from their extensive experience and deep understanding of our business. We wish them every success in the future and thank them wholeheartedly for their service.
“I am also delighted to welcome Uyi and Kehinde as incoming Directors. Both are internationally respected professionals in their respective fields – finance and legal – and have proven track records supporting dynamic, high-growth organisations. I believe their expertise will be instrumental as Savannah continues its growth trajectory across Africa.” he concluded.
Kehinde Olamide Ogunwumiju
Kehinde Olamide Ogunwumiju is the Managing Partner at Afe Babalola & Co., a leading African law firm.
Since his appointment in 2017, he is one of the youngest Senior Advocates of Nigeria (“SAN”) 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.
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.
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, before 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.
He 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.
Uyi Akpata also served as Chairman of the Professional Services Group of the Nigeria British Chamber of Commerce.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) in Accounting from the University of Lagos. Also he is a qualified Chartered Accountant of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and is currently a Fellow of the Institute.
He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Miva Open University, where he also serves as Professor of Practice in Financial Accounting.