Seplat Energy Plc’s Chief Executive Officer, Roger Brown, has reaffirmed that oil and gas will continue to play a key role in Nigeria’s energy mix. Speaking at a high-level climate roundtable in Lagos, Brown emphasized that the real challenge is not whether these resources should exist, but how companies operate responsibly, efficiently, and sustainably.
Represented at the event by Seplat Energy’s Director of Gas and New Energy, Okechukwu Mba, Brown’s remarks came during the launch of the NGX Net-Zero Programme (N-Zero). Organized by the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) in partnership with German development finance institution DEG and Africa Foresight Group (AFG), the initiative aims to guide listed companies in defining net-zero pathways, enhancing climate disclosures, and meeting global investor expectations.
The NGX Net-Zero Programme is projected to unlock between $2.5 billion and $3.1 billion in climate-linked capital for Nigerian companies. Brown stressed that responsible operations must include measurable actions, such as improving efficiency, reducing emissions, and implementing credible offsetting strategies, as the oil and gas sector continues to supply critical energy to the nation.
Seplat Energy has already begun translating these commitments into action. The company has launched programs to end routine gas flaring across all onshore operations, deploy technology for real-time emissions monitoring, and implement robust asset integrity measures. Brown noted, “Very soon, we will be able to clearly state that routine flaring has ended in our onshore operations, marking an important milestone in environmental stewardship.”
Highlighting the broader investment context, NGX Group Chairman Dr. Umaru Kwairanga emphasized Africa’s capital markets must lead in climate action, while Group MD Temi Popoola noted climate risk is now central to valuation and capital allocation. DEG’s Monika Beck added that the partnership supports mobilizing private capital to accelerate climate solutions, reflecting a growing trend where sustainable practices are increasingly linked to business growth.
source: The Guardian