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 the MIT Sloan School of Management, where he completed the prestigious Advanced Management Program, and has also undertaken executive education at 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 production value chain, ensuring sustained 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 52 km 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 leadership in the finance industry.
He is an alumnus of the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland, and 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:
- Fellow, Institute of Credit and Risk Management of Nigeria
- Fellow, Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies
- Member, African Business Leadership Forum
- Member, Institute of Marketing Consultants
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to national development and leadership, O'Tega has received several notable honours:
- Nigeria's national honour, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
- The Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award
- Appointed as a POLAC Ambassador of Peace (2013), under the United Nations-affiliated NGO programme.
- 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 development.
She demonstrates a strong passion for social impact and economic development, 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 of 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 broadening her knowledge and global outlook.
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 an alumna of Harvard Business School's executive programs and a recognized leader in the oil and gas industry. She demonstrates a strong passion for social impact and economic development, combining entrepreneurial vision with a deep commitment to charitable causes.
Rachel has been with SunTrust Atlantic since 2003, where she has held several senior leadership roles.
She currently serves as Executive Director – Finance, Commercial and Services, overseeing key areas such as:
- Strategic finance operations
- Joint venture coordination
- Asset acquisition and management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Corporate alignment with long-term objectives
Rachel holds a degree in Accounting and an MBA in International Business Management. She is:
- Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA)
- Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACTI)
- Alumna of Stanford Graduate School of Business and Harvard Business School's executive programs
- Certified Risk and Compliance Management Professional
- 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, where she advances SunTrust Atlantic's strategic and financial interests.
Hilary Okonye
Executive Director – Chief Operating Officer
Hilary Okonye is a seasoned oil and gas professional with over 13 years of 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 foundational experience in well operations. He later joined SunTrust Atlantic, where he progressed through various roles to become Unit Head of the Wells Department, a role he has held for several years.
Hilary has helped develop in-house drilling and completion capabilities, including structured Well Delivery Processes, Workover Procedures, and Well Intervention Protocols aligned with industry best practices.
In his current role, Hilary oversees a diverse portfolio of well projects, including:
- Exploration, appraisal, and development drilling
- Reactivation of idle assets through workover and intervention programs
- Well planning and scope development
- Operational readiness and execution of drilling and well services
- Workover operations
- Planning and preparation of a well decommissioning (Plug & Abandonment – P&A) campaign
In addition, he ensures cost efficiency, safety, and operational excellence across drilling, completion, and intervention activities.
Bolaji Adeyemi
Director
Bolaji Adeyemi is a versatile professional with diverse experience in the oil and gas sector, immigration services, and regulatory compliance.
He brings expertise in navigating complex operational and regulatory environments, with a strong background in program coordination and stakeholder engagement.
Before joining SunTrust Atlantic Energies Limited, Bolaji served as Chief Program Coordinator and Mentor at Verbum Nigeria Limited, where he led strategic initiatives and oversaw program development and execution.
He worked closely with regulators and government authorities to ensure compliance with industry standards and statutory requirements.
He is recognized for building strong stakeholder relationships while maintaining operational integrity and aligning processes with regulatory frameworks.
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