Business Energy

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SEPLAT, ROGER BROWN (CEO): BETWEEN FACTS AND FICTION

 

Empower Nigeria, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) dedicated to the protection and enhancement of civil liberties deems it fit and proper to wade into allegations against Roger Brown, the Chief Executive Officer of Seplat bordering on claims of forced resignations and sacking of Nigerian staff based on discriminatory policies,alleged enforcement of manipulative ranking scheme in the company, allegation of different retirement age for Nigerians and expatriates and other sundry claims.

Pursuant to our core mandate and in the public interest, we launched an investigation with the determination to get to the bottom of the issues thrown by these allegations and in the process, unveil the truth. The averments that we make below is therefore a product of our thorough investigation.

1. The claim of forced resignations and sacking of Nigerian staff based on discriminatory policies. As against this claim, there was no mass sack or forced retirements of Nigerian at Seplat with Roger Brown as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The true state of affairs is that between 2020 and 2022, eight Nigerian staff of the company voluntarily resigned or opted to take early retirement in the exercise of their rights as spelt out and protected by the law. Their decision was conveyed to the management of the company in writing via official channels. Seplat paid the affected staff generous end of service benefits and thereafter made appropriate notifications to NUPRC in accordance with Notification schedule as per their exit.

2. Allegation of enforcement of manipulative ranking scheme. We found out that this allegation is not supported by facts but is a product of a hunting expedition. Arising from the observations and input made by the staff on the need to review the former 5-point ranking system which the staff considered to limit opportunities especially around the 75% cut off mark required for promotion, management reviewed and replaced it with a 3-point ranking scheme.

3. The aim of the 3-point scheme (Outstanding Strong and Average) is to ensure that staff rewards are tied to results which are transparent and verifiable. More importantly,it laid to rest staff complaints about the 5-point system which they believe limited opportunities for promotion.

The claim that the Average rating applied only to Nigerian staff is untrue as out of the 5% of staff (24 persons) ranked Average, the number included an expatriate. This is without prejudice to the fact that expatriates constitute a small part of the entire workforce of over 500 workers in the company.

4. The claim that Seplat operates different retirement age for Nigerian and expatriate staff. Again this allegation is false and a disingenuous ploy to sow seeds of discord among the staff of the company. The retirement policy of the company is not discriminatory but is based on the laws of Nigeria stipulating that all employees working in Nigeria both local and expatriate retire at 60 years. This has been the practice in Seplat since it commenced operations.

5. Given the delicate nature of these claims and its implications for industrial harmony, it is our considered position that news organisations who publicise these allegations should carry out thorough investigation to ascertain the veracity of the claims in matter. This is in the interest of equity, fairness and justice.

6. The non-compliance with this basic tenet before exposing Seplat to media trial while it achieves the aim of the sponsors of this orchestrated smear campaign does grave injustice to the noble profession of journalism.
7. Seplat has been an exemplary player within the country’s oil sector. The current attempt to impugn it hard earned reputation is indeed regrettable.

 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

You may also like

Announcements Business News Security Society

AI Innovation vs. Privacy: African Regulators Chart Path at NADPA-RAPDP 2025 Conference

post-image

By Anthony Emeka Nwosu

The fourth plenary session of the 2025 Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA-RAPDP) Conference and Annual General Meeting took centre stage with an engaging discourse on the theme, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa: Privacy Paradox.” The session, which drew leading minds in AI policy and data protection, was chaired by Tahir Latif, Vice President and Data Privacy and AI Governance Officer at the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority.

In a keynote address delivered on behalf of Dr ’Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bunmi Ajala—Senior Special Adviser on AI, Data & Research—highlighted the urgent need for African nations to strike a delicate balance between technological advancement and the protection of citizens’ privacy rights.

The session unpacked the growing tension between rapid AI adoption across the continent and the imperative to enforce data privacy regulations. Discussions revolved around practical strategies to ensure that…

Read More
Business Gadgets Government

NITDA Strengthens Collaboration with Key Government Agencies to Enhance IT Project Oversight

post-image

 

In alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at bolstering effective governance and service delivery, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has intensified efforts to ensure transparency and efficiency in federal IT projects.

As part of its mandate to act as the clearing house for all government IT initiatives, NITDA on Thursday paid strategic visits to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation (OAuGF). The visits focused on presenting the newly reviewed IT Project Clearance Guideline Document for feedback and collaboration.

The document, which is central to preventing corruption and duplication in government IT procurement, is also designed to foster accountability and value delivery in public sector technology investments.

Speaking during the engagements, NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation, noting that no single institution can drive digital economic transformation in isolation. “We must…

Read More
Business Gadgets International News Software Sponsored Technology Technology Trends

CyberDome and Cato Networks Collaborate to Deliver SASE in West Africa

post-image

 

 

CyberDome, West Africa’s leading Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP), has announced a collaboration with Cato Networks, the SASE leader ,to deliver Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) across the region.

The collaboration has been described as a game changer for organizations in West Africa, delivering the Cato SASE Cloud Platform —which converges networking and security in a single, cloud-native platform through CyberDome’s always-on, locally managed Security operations Center (SOC). The result: a modern,secure-by-design infrastructure built for today’s cloud-first world.

“We’re blowing past the limitations of traditional IT,” said Eyal Titinger, Co-founder of CyberDome. “This collaboration brings together global technology and local expertise to deliver seamless, secure, and scalable connectivity—exactly what West Africa’s fastest-growing enterprises need.”

Goodbye Boxes. Hello Cloud Power.

This collaboration empowers organizations to eliminate legacy hardware and embrace agile, software-defined infrastructure. Benefits

include:

● Real-time, secure connection of users, offices, and cloud

resources across geographies.

● Built-in zero trust and SASE security to protect every edge.

●…

Read More
Business Interviews Investments

Anambra ICT Chief Applauds Enugu Tech Festival, Says Southeast is Poised for Tech-Driven Growth

post-image

 The Southeast region of Nigeria is fast emerging as a hub for technological innovation and investment, according to Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata (CFA), the Managing Director of the Anambra State ICT Agency, who participated in the just-concluded Enugu Tech Festival alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani.

Speaking at the festival themed “From Code to Code”, Agbata described the event as timely and transformative, capturing the momentum and aspirations of Nigeria’s tech-driven future.

“The theme aptly captures the essence of our transition into the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Agbata said. “Technology’s permanence is no longer debatable; what remains uncertain is the level of passion Nigerians will bring to its adoption.”

He emphasized that both Enugu and Anambra States are strategically positioned to lead in digital…

Read More
Business Economy Events Investments

OADC CEO, Dr. Tunde Coker, Named Among Global Top 100 Leaders in Digital Infrastructure by Capacity Media

post-image

In a major recognition of African leadership in the global digital economy, Dr. Ayotunde (Tunde) Coker, Chief Executive Officer of Open Access Data Centres (OADC), has been named to the prestigious 2025 Power 100 list by Capacity Media, a leading global publication under the Techoraco brand.

The Power 100 is an annual list that recognises the most influential executives and thought leaders driving innovation, growth, and transformation in the global digital infrastructure landscape. Curated by Capacity Media’s editorial board and informed by peer nominations from across the industry, the list celebrates individuals who are setting new benchmarks in data centre development, cloud technologies, network services, and cross-border digital connectivity.

OADC, in an official statement, expressed immense pride in Dr. Coker’s inclusion, highlighting it as a testament to both his…

Read More
Announcements Business Culture Economy

Governor Sanwo-Olu Launches N10 Billion LASMECO Fund to Boost SMEs in Lagos

post-image

 

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unveiled a groundbreaking financial initiative aimed at empowering grassroots entrepreneurs and boosting the state’s economy. The program, known as the Lagos State Access to Finance for SMEs Through Cooperatives (LASMECO), was officially launched following a landmark agreement with the Bank of Industry (BOI) and Sterling Bank.

The N10 billion public-private fund will provide Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with non-collateralized loans of up to ₦10 million at a competitive 9% annual interest rate. Beneficiaries will also enjoy a six-month moratorium period. The loans will be disbursed through verified cooperative societies, a move Governor Sanwo-Olu described as a strategic model to ensure both accountability and community impact.

Speaking at the launch, the governor said, “Today marks a significant step forward in our journey to build a more inclusive and resilient economy in Lagos State. This isn’t just about funding — it’s about removing systemic barriers…

Read More
Business Economy

NITDA, Google Hold Strategic Workshop to Accelerate Nigeria’s Digital Transformation Agenda

post-image

In a landmark move to fast-track Nigeria’s digital economy and position the country as a global tech powerhouse, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and technology giant Google have commenced a high-level two-day collaborative workshop. The event, which kicked off this week in Abuja, marks a pivotal step in actualizing a broader strategic partnership between the Federal Government and Google, following a significant meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Google CEO Sundar Pichai in Paris on February 10, 2025.

The workshop aims to validate critical findings and refine a draft framework built around five transformative pillars that will guide the collaboration between NITDA and Google. These pillars include:

  1. Scalable Digital Infrastructure – Expanding and strengthening Nigeria’s tech backbone to enable widespread internet access and digital connectivity across urban and rural areas.

  2. Read More
Business Culture Economy Entertainment Events Software Tourism Travels Trends

Tayo Folorunsho Calls for Investment and Structural Reforms to Propel Abuja’s Entertainment Industry to Greater Heights

post-image

Tayo Folorunsho, a leading Nigerian entertainment expert and Founder of Edutainment First International Ltd/GTE, has raised concerns about the challenges of running an entertainment business in Abuja. Despite the difficulties, he remains committed to overcoming these obstacles, urging for significant investments and coordinated reforms to unlock the full potential of Abuja’s entertainment industry.

Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, is renowned for its political significance, booming real estate sector, and vibrant economy. However, Folorunsho, who has successfully run entertainment ventures in Lagos, notes that Abuja’s entertainment market is still in its infancy. Unlike Lagos, where the entertainment scene operates year-round, Abuja’s calendar is more limited, with events mostly concentrated around festive periods. This seasonal nature, coupled with inconsistent support from agencies and organizations, poses a challenge for entertainers and event managers seeking to build long-term businesses in the city.

In…

Read More