Board of directors
Meet the people guiding SunTrust Atlantic's growth, performance, and purpose.
At SunTrust Atlantic, our Board of Directors provides strategic oversight and governance, guiding the company's long-term direction and ensuring accountability across all levels.
The Board plays a key role in assessing opportunities, managing risks, and aligning business decisions with the interests of our stakeholders and the communities we serve.
Dr. Ugo Okafor
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Dr. Ugo Okafor is an astute Chief Executive and seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in management, business strategy, and the oil and gas industry.
As the Chief Executive of SunTrust Atlantic Energies Limited, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the company's growth, reputation, and strategic direction across Nigeria's upstream oil and gas sector.
He is an alumnus of both the MIT Sloan School of Management, where he completed the prestigious Advanced Management Program, and Harvard Business School. Dr. Ugo Okafor earned his Juris Doctor (JD) from Vanderbilt University School of Law, where he distinguished himself academically, earning a place on the Dean's List and receiving the Vanderbilt Award for Scholastic Excellence.
Since SunTrust Atlantic's inception, he has been at the forefront of the company's strategic involvement in the Umusadege Field (PML 22). Through his active participation on the operating and management committees of the Umusadege Joint Venture, he continues to guide the company's engagement across the entire production value chain, ensuring value creation and operational excellence.
In 2020, under his leadership, SunTrust Atlantic was awarded a 35.82% participating interest in PPL 202 (formerly OML 23) during the marginal field bid round. He served as the inaugural Chairman of the Operating Committee of the PPL 202 Joint Venture and was the immediate past Chairman of the Board of Ingentia Energies Limited, operator of the Egbolom Field.
His leadership has been instrumental in achieving first oil and initiating full field development at Egbolom.
He also serves on the boards of several industry-relevant companies, including:
- Umugini Pipeline Infrastructure Limited - owner and operator of a 52km crude oil pipeline from Kwale to Eriemu
- Midsun GGF Limited - a crude oil gathering and processing facility company
- Ingentia Energies Limited - operator of the Egbolom Field (PPL 202)
Through his deep industry knowledge, strategic foresight, and commitment to excellence, he continues to steer SunTrust Atlantic toward sustainable growth and long-term impact in the Nigerian energy sector.
Oghenetega Emerhor
DIRECTOR
O'Tega is a distinguished finance and business professional with a track record of excellence in leadership, strategic development, and institutional governance.
He graduated with First Class Honours in Accountancy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and is a Chartered Accountant with a commitment to continuous professional growth and thought leadership.
He is an alumnus of both the prestigious Institute of Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland, and the Lagos Business School, Nigeria, where he received advanced executive education in leadership, strategy, and corporate management.
O'Tega is actively involved in several professional and leadership bodies. He is:
- A member of the African Business Leadership Forum
- A Fellow of the Institute of Credit and Risk Management of Nigeria
- A Fellow of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies
- A Member of the Institute of Marketing Consultants, among other affiliations
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to national development and leadership, O'Tega has received multiple prestigious honours:
- The Nigerian National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)
- The Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award
- Appointment as a United Nations-POLAC Ambassador of Peace (2013)
- Honorary Citizenship of the State of Georgia, USA (2015)
O'Tega continues to be a leading voice in African business and policy discourse, contributing significantly to economic development, peacebuilding, and entrepreneurial advancement across the continent.
Zainab Aminu Dantata
DIRECTOR
Zainab is a business executive with active interests in real estate development, philanthropy, and community empowerment.
She brings a strong passion for social impact and economic development to all her endeavors, combining entrepreneurial vision with a deep commitment to charitable causes.
In addition to her business pursuits, Zainab is deeply engaged in charity work and community development initiatives. She serves on the board of several non-profit and humanitarian organizations, where she contributes to programs aimed at improving lives and supporting underserved communities.
Zainab is a member of the Board of Directors at International Procurement Services Nigeria Limited, where she plays an advisory role in shaping the company's strategic direction and governance framework.
Outside of her professional and philanthropic commitments, she enjoys reading and traveling, continually expanding her knowledge and global perspective.
Rachel Akhuetie (FCA)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: FINANCE, COMMERCIAL AND SERVICES
Rachel Akhuetie is a seasoned management executive and accomplished board director with over 24 years of diverse professional experience spanning finance, oil and gas operations, corporate services, strategic innovation, consulting, human resources, and banking.
She is a Harvard Business School-trained executive and a recognized leader in the oil and gas industry.
With more than two decades of experience in the energy industry, Rachel has been with SunTrust Atlantic since 2003, where she has held several senior leadership roles.
She currently serves as Executive Director, Finance, Commercial & Services, overseeing key areas such as:
- Strategic finance operations
- Joint venture coordination
- Asset acquisition and management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Alignment of corporate activities with long-term objectives
Rachel holds a degree in Accounting and an MBA in International Business Management. She is:
- A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA)
- An Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACTI)
- An alumna of both Stanford Graduate School of Business and Harvard Business School (AMP)
- Certified as a Risk and Compliance Management Professional
- A Certified IFRS Specialist
Renowned for her strong financial acumen, analytical depth, and results-driven leadership style, Rachel is passionate about creating value through strategic finance, project execution, and operational excellence.
Beyond her role at SunTrust Atlantic, Rachel also serves as a director on the boards of four other companies in the oil and gas industry, representing SunTrust Atlantic's corporate interests.
Hilary Okonye
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Hilary Okonye is a seasoned oil and gas professional with over 13 years of hands-on experience in drilling, workover operations, and other upstream activities within the energy industry.
He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) in Production Engineering from the University of Benin, Benin City, graduating with Second Class Honours (Upper Division).
Hilary began his career at Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria Limited (APDL) as a Wellsite Drilling Engineer, where he gained solid foundational experience in well operations. He later joined SunTrust Atlantic, where he advanced steadily through various roles to become the Unit Head of the Wells Department—a position he has held with distinction for several years.
In his current role, Hilary oversees a diverse portfolio of well projects, including:
- Drilling of exploration, appraisal, and development wells
- Reactivation of idle assets through workover and intervention programs
He leads the Wells Team at Umusadege Field, with responsibilities covering:
- Well planning and scope development
- Operational readiness and execution of drilling and well services
- Workover operations
- Planning and preparation of an extensive well decommissioning (Plug & Abandonment - P&A) campaign
Hilary is instrumental in developing in-house drilling and completion capabilities, including the design and implementation of structured Well Delivery Processes, Workover Procedures, and Well Intervention Protocols that align with best industry practices.
In addition to technical execution, Hilary is accountable for ensuring cost efficiency, safety, and operational excellence across all drilling, completion, and intervention operations.
Bolaji Adeyemi
DIRECTOR
Bolaji is a versatile professional with broad-based experience spanning the oil and gas sector, immigration services, and regulatory compliance.
He brings a strong background in program coordination, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory liaison, with a proven ability to navigate complex operational and compliance environments.
Before joining SunTrust Atlantic Energies Limited, Bolaji served as Chief Program Coordinator and Mentor at Verbum Nigeria Limited, where he led various strategic initiatives and provided guidance on program development and execution.
His role involved active engagement with regulatory agencies and government authorities, ensuring full compliance with applicable industry standards and statutory requirements.
Bolaji's strength lies in his ability to build productive relationships with stakeholders while maintaining operational integrity and aligning business processes with regulatory frameworks.
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