Waltersmith strengthens board composition to anchor long-term succession plan

Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited (WSPOL) has appointed two seasoned energy professionals as members of its Board of Directors in a strategic move to underscore its succession plan as the Company continues to capitalize on emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving oil and gas landscape.

Oladapo Filani, who has served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer since 2023, has been appointed Managing Director.

Similarly, Alex Osho has been appointed Executive Director (Finance & Commercial) following his successful tenure as Chief Financial Officer of Waltersmith Petroman from December 2019 to January 2023 and as Group Chief Operating Officer since February 2023.

These key appointments recognize the immense contributions of Mr. Filani and Mr. Osho to the Company and their proven leadership capabilities.

The Board expansion comes as WSPOL continues to pursue an ambitious growth agenda focused on production optimization, portfolio expansion, and operational excellence.

The new Board appointments combine deep technical expertise with proven financial and commercial acumen, underpinned by strong governance principles—critical elements for navigating Nigeria’s dynamic energy sector.

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Commenting on the appointments, Abdulrazaq Isa (OFR), Board Chairman, stated:

“I firmly believe in the leadership potential of the Company’s new leader, Mr. Filani. He has led by example and placed the Company on a robust growth path over the last few years, hinged on strong technical capabilities and a can-do spirit.

He will be supported by Osho, who has also been extremely influential in charting a new course for the Company over the past few years, relying on his financial and commercial acumen, critical thinking skills, and collaborative approach.

They have both demonstrated strong leadership, professionalism, empathy, vision, and the ability to ideate and execute effectively. “It is with this confidence that I hand over the reins of the Company to its new leaders. I am confident they will build on our successes and take the Company to greater heights.”

In July 2025, the company also appointed Taiwo Adeniji to its Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Adeniji is a distinguished development finance and infrastructure expert with over 30 years of experience, bringing valuable independent oversight and governance expertise to the Company.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.