As the Director of Legal and Company Secretary at Seplat Energy, I take a multifaceted approach to ensuring a comprehensive response during periods of instability or crises. At the core of this approach are foresight and strategy, ensuring that the legal team is proactive in identifying potential issues while remaining adaptable as challenges unfold.

During times of instability, my first step is to establish a robust crisis management plan with clear mitigation actions and designated action parties, forming the crisis management team. This team conducts a thorough risk assessment to identify potential legal exposures and liabilities. Insights from these assessments inform a prioritised action plan that swiftly addresses critical legal issues while maintaining operational continuity.

Communication is a crucial component of this strategy. All stakeholders (including investors, the board, management, employees, government, and partners) must be regularly informed and assured of the status of the crisis and the progress of mitigation actions. Transparent and consistent communication helps maintain confidence and align efforts toward corporate resilience.

Collaboration is equally important. The legal strategy cannot succeed in isolation, so I ensure it is closely aligned with the company’s overarching business objectives, as formulated by a cross-functional leadership team. For example, when managing regulatory changes or compliance issues, we work closely with the operations and sustainability teams to develop solutions that meet legal requirements while supporting sustainability goals.

Agility is critical in navigating crises. I encourage flexibility in executing legal strategies, allowing my team to pivot quickly in response to changing circumstances. By closely monitoring the crisis landscape, we can anticipate risks and adapt strategies accordingly.

Finally, post-mortems play a key role in strengthening resilience. Once a crisis is resolved, the leadership team conducts structured reviews to extract lessons learned. These insights are then translated into formal improvements to business practices and policies and cascaded across the organisation.

Ultimately, my objective is not just to help Seplat Energy withstand crises but to emerge stronger. By aligning legal strategy with Seplat Energy’s vision of being Nigeria’s leading energy provider, I contribute to positioning the company for long-term success, ensuring it remains resilient in an evolving landscape.

In your opinion, what are the main trends that are salient in your country currently (these can be legal, political, economy or business-based)?