Strong Governance Key To Unlocking Structured Finance In Nigeria’s Energy Sector -Seplat CFO
By Sunday Etuka
Seplat Energy Plc has underscored the critical role of transparency, strong corporate governance and stakeholder collaboration in unlocking structured financing opportunities and accelerating sustainable growth across Nigeria’s energy sector.
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of Seplat Energy, Eleanor Adaralegbe, stated this at Olaniwun Ajayi Structured Finance Roundtable held in Lagos recently.
Adaralegbe made the remarks during a panel session themed From Theory to Transactions Overcoming Barriers and Scaling Structured Finance in Nigerian Market, where she called on companies particularly industry pioneers to embrace openness and strong governance standards to build investor confidence.
She said trust remains the foundation of every successful financing arrangement and the reputation of the company leadership and governance framework plays a decisive role in attracting capital.
According to her, one of the most fundamental things for the success of structured financing is the management team, noting that in her journey with the company many investors have invested because they believe in the management team.
She said beyond management credibility, commitment to transparency and partnership has enabled companies to cultivate enduring relationships with financial institutions, regulators and investors, stressing that at Seplat company works with financiers as partners and carries them along in process to ensure general understanding of what it is trying to achieve.
Adaralegbe highlighted that Seplat governance journey has been instrumental in shaping company financing success story, adding that since inception the company has built a reputation for robust corporate governance, disciplined financial management and adherence to global reporting standards, positioning it as one of Africa most respected independent energy companies.
Seplat’s Manager, Corporate Communications & Media Relations, Stanley Opara, in a statement on Saturday quoted the CFO to have said that governance credentials have helped companies access significant pools of capital required to fund growth ambitions and strategic investments.
She noted that over years Seplat has established strong track record in debt and capital markets, raising substantial financing to support development and expansion of operations while maintaining prudent leverage levels, adding that ability to attract funding from broad range of local and international lenders has been underpinned by transparent operating model, strong governance culture and proven execution capability.
She further explained that dual listing on Nigerian Exchange Limited and London Stock Exchange imposed stringent compliance obligations that strengthened institutional framework and enhanced investor confidence, saying regulators and listing authorities helped shape the company because it had to meet listing requirements in both Nigeria and London.
She also commended Securities and Exchange Commission for fostering an enabling environment for innovation and capital formation.
In keynote address, Director General of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Emomotimi Agama, emphasized the importance of collaboration among market participants in deepening Nigeria capital markets and expanding structured finance solutions.
He called on regulators, legal practitioners, issuers, investors and other stakeholders to work together to strengthen the ecosystem and unlock full potential of structured financing as a catalyst for economic growth, reiterating SEC commitment to protecting investors while supporting market innovation.
