Sopuruchi Onwuka

Women in Energy Network (WIEN), a leading gender equity advocacy group in the energy sector, has expressed excitement over the appointment of Ms. Nnoli Akpedeye to the Board of Aradel Holdings Plc.

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The group also commended the Board of Aradel Holdings for taking a deliberate step toward gender balance by appointing a highly qualified female professional to its corporate governance structure.

In a congratulatory message, WIEN President, Mrs. Eyono Fatai-Williams, said Akpedeye’s appointment reflects global best practices in corporate governance, where merit, competence, and performance take precedence over gender considerations.

She noted that Aradel Holdings has continued to distinguish itself as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing indigenous petroleum producers, with a visible commitment to increasing female representation in leadership roles.

Aradel Holdings Plc is one of the few independent petroleum exploration and production companies listed on the Nigerian capital market. The company is also the most diversified in asset portfolios and operating partnerships, running its operations through three subsidiaries governed by an inclusive and gender-balanced board.

Ms. Akpedeye was appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Aradel Holdings Plc with effect from February 2, subject to shareholder ratification at the company’s next Annual General Meeting.

“Ms. Akpedeye’s appointment further strengthens the Aradel Board with additional independent oversight and diverse professional expertise, in line with the Company’s commitment to strong corporate governance and sustainable value creation,” the company stated.

Chief Executive Officer of Aradel, Mr. Adegbite Falade, described the appointment as a reaffirmation of the company’s commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance. He said it enhances board independence, oversight, and diversity, while ensuring that strategic decisions remain guided by transparency, accountability, and long-term value creation.

Mrs. Fatai-Williams added that Akpedeye brings nearly four decades of multi-sectoral experience spanning oil and gas, engineering services, alternative dispute resolution, management consulting, non-profits, and high-tech fabric care.

She highlighted Akpedeye’s strengths in business strategy development, stakeholder management, risk mitigation, and value creation. Her skill set also includes business process auditing, organizational transformation, project management, mediation and arbitration, entrepreneurship development, and business mentorship.

Ms. Akpedeye comes to Aradel with decades of local and international experience across oil and gas, engineering, legal and arbitration services, and management consulting. Her expertise covers management and strategy, business process engineering, organizational development and change management, and executive coaching.

Until 2014, she served as Technical Planning Manager at Shell Exploration and Production Companies in Nigeria, where she led high-impact, mission-critical projects. Her career at Shell included roles in civil engineering design, planning and construction, project management, facility management, technical audit, and business planning.

She is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Contego Servo Limited, an energy sector services company, and also leads Perfectus Laundi, a high-tech fabric care business.

Akpedeye is a COREN-registered engineer, Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE), Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (FNICE), and a past President of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN).

She is also a Project Management Professional (PMP), Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC), a UK Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) Accredited Mediator, and an accredited mediator with the Lagos Multi-Door Court (LMDC). She is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and a member of the Chartered Institute of Directors.

Ms. Akpedeye is a founding member of WIEN and joins another founding member, Mrs. Patricia Simon-Hart, who already sits on the Aradel board.

With two WIEN members now on the board, WIEN Executive Secretary, Engr. Asanimo Omezi, described Aradel Holdings Plc as a clear example of progressive corporate leadership that prioritizes competence and performance over cultural stereotypes.

She reaffirmed WIEN’s commitment to supporting its members through access to its extensive professional network, collective experience, and knowledge base.

Congratulating Akpedeye on her new role, Engr. Omezi expressed confidence in her ability to make meaningful contributions toward achieving Aradel’s corporate goals.