Ojunekwu Augustine Avuru, the newly appointed board member of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). is a distinguished figure in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, renowned for his extensive experience and leadership roles.
Born in 1958 in Ipetu-Ijesha, Osun State, Nigeria, Mr. Avuru earned a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1980. He commenced his career at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), dedicating 12 years to various roles, including Wellsite Geologist, Production Seismologist, and Reservoir Engineer. In 1992, he transitioned to Allied Energy Resources in Nigeria, serving as Exploration Manager and Technical Manager over a decade.
In 2002, Mr. Avuru founded Platform Petroleum Limited, assuming the role of Managing Director until 2010. Subsequently, he co-founded Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc (now Seplat Energy Plc) and was appointed Chief Executive Officer on May 1, 2010.
Under his leadership, Seplat emerged as a leading indigenous oil and gas exploration and production company in Nigeria. After a decade at the helm, Mr. Avuru retired as CEO in 2020 but continued to contribute as a Non-Executive Director until 2022.
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Beyond his corporate engagements, Mr. Avuru has significantly influenced Nigeria’s petroleum industry policies. As a member of the National Committee on Local Content Development, he chaired the technical subcommittee that drafted the policy blueprint, which evolved into the Nigerian Content Act of 2010.
Mr. Avuru’s contributions have been recognized through various accolades, including the NNPC GMD’s Merit Award for Outstanding Performance and Distinguished Professional and Leadership Qualities in 1989.
He is also a Fellow and past President of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) and has authored publications such as “Politics, Economics & the Nigerian Petroleum Industry” and “Nigerian Petroleum Business: A Handbook.”
