Seplat Energy trains 50 journalists in Lagos to boost business and leadership skills.
Program equips media pros with tools to grow beyond newsroom into entrepreneurship.
Seplat Energy Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading independent energy companies, has successfully concluded a two-day Media Entrepreneurship Program in Lagos, equipping 50 journalists with vital business and leadership skills to thrive in today’s evolving media and entrepreneurial landscape.
Held on June 25 and 26, 2025, the training was conducted in partnership with ELOH Consulting Limited and brought together reporters and editors from the capital market, judiciary, finance, and business beats across print, digital, and broadcast platforms.
According to Seplat Energy, the program aimed to empower journalists with strategic business knowledge, entrepreneurial acumen, and leadership capabilities, enabling them to build sustainable ventures alongside their professional careers. The initiative is part of Seplat’s broader commitment to capacity building and stakeholder engagement.
Opening the programme, Mr. Stanley Opara, Manager of Corporate Communications at Seplat, who represented Mrs. Chioma Afe, Director of External Affairs and Social Performance, noted that the company’s goal was to nurture a new generation of media professionals capable of leading impactful enterprises and contributing to national development.
“Beyond the newsroom, journalists must begin to explore how to create scalable media businesses. This program is a platform to unlock that potential,” Opara said.
The training featured a lineup of distinguished speakers and facilitators, including
- Prof. Pat Utomi, a renowned political economist and founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership, delivered an engaging session on transitioning from professional roles to entrepreneurship.
- Dr. Solomon Avbioroko, a former Coca-Cola International executive and Lagos Business School faculty member, shared insights on business management and execution.
- Mr. Olu Onakoya, ex-Managing Director of Mobil Nigeria, focused on leadership and corporate governance.
- Nnamdi Uwaemelulam, who trained participants on media technology and digital transformation.
- Uloma Okoro, who guided journalists through business modelling and drafting winning business plans.
A highlight of the program was a security and governance segment featuring senior officials from Nigeria’s top anti-corruption and intelligence agencies. These included:
- Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
- Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)
- Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS)
They engaged participants on critical national issues, including the legal and operational frameworks guiding their agencies, the fight against corruption, and national security strategies.
Journalists praised the program for its relevance and practicality, describing it as timely and transformational. Many noted that the training expanded their understanding of entrepreneurship, corporate engagement, and the business side of media.
Seplat Energy reaffirmed its long-term commitment to professional development in Nigeria’s media space and announced plans to scale future editions of the initiative. The company described the program as a benchmark for private sector-driven capacity building across industries.
