By Abiola Olawale
Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, a two-term Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Boardroom mogul, a former Chairman of Union Bank, an erstwhile Chairman of UAC Plc, a former minister of Budget and National Planning was recently named as the new Independent Non-Executive Chairman of Seplat Energy, a prominent Nigerian energy company, listed on both the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange.
According to Seplat, the appointment, which takes effect on April 1, 2024, follows the retirement of Mr. Basil Omiyi, on March 31, 2024.
The appointment signals a significant change in the leadership structure of Seplat Energy, as Udo Udoma brings a wealth of experience to his new role, boasting an illustrious career as a lawyer and board guru.
Here are some interesting facts about Udoma Udo Udoma
Udoma was born on the 26th of February 1954 in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. He is the 3rd of seven children to Sir Egbert Udo Udoma, PhD, a former justice of the Nigerian Supreme Court and the first African Chief Justice of Uganda, former Governor-General of Uganda,Acting President of Uganda, and his wife, Lady Grace Udo Udoma (née Bassey). Udoma’s father was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Northern Island in 1964.He was also the first Nigerian to earn a PhD in Law.
Udoma attended Government School, Aba from 1959 to 1961 and Corona School Ikoyi, Lagos from 1962 to 1964, before joining his father – who had been appointed Chief Justice of Uganda in 1963 – to complete his primary education at Nakasero Primary School in Kampala, Uganda.
He returned to Nigeria to study at King’s College, Lagos, from 1966 to 1972. He thereafter proceeded to Oxford University where he studied Law.
Indeed, Udoma attended St. Catherine’s College, Oxford, England where he obtained a B.A. (Law) degree and a B.C.L. degree in jurisprudence.
He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1978. He founded the Law Firm Udo-Udoma & Belo Osagie in 1983 and retired from active legal practice in early 2020.
Whilst in practice, Udoma specialized in advising on Nigerian investment laws and the investment environment, particularly in the petroleum, energy, and natural resources sectors.
He advised Nigerian and international companies on company law, corporate restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and raising of financing in the capital and money markets, as well as on major construction and engineering contracts.
Udoma has served on several large-sized company boards. He was Chairman of UAC Nigeria Plc and Union Bank Plc and served on the boards of companies such as Unilever Nigeria Plc., Linkage Assurance Plc, and First Hydrocarbon Nigeria Limited.
He has also held several public sector appointments. He was the founding Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and has also served as the Chairman of the Nigerian Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC).
He was the Special Adviser to the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources from September 1993 to March 1994 and served as Minister of Budget & National Planning from 2015 to 2019.
He was elected to the Nigerian Senate in 1999 and served for two terms from 1999 to 2007. Senator Udoma is currently the Pro-Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Udoma has been the recipient of several honors and awards. The University of Uyo conferred on him an honorary Doctor of Law degree (LLD) in 2011. He was awarded Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in November 2011.
In 2019, the Emperor of Japan awarded him ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star.’ He is the first Nigerian to receive such recognition.
Udoma is married to Sally Udoma (née Sikuade), and they have two daughters and a son.
