Management
The people leading SunTrust Atlantic.
SunTrust Atlantic explores and produces energy across West Africa with a focus on responsibility and impact. Our expert leadership drives performance to global standards.
At SunTrust Atlantic, our Management team brings deep expertise in oil and gas exploration, field development, and corporate governance. With years of experience in Nigeria's upstream industry, they drive performance with focus, discipline, and strategic insight.
We are proud to be an indigenous energy company with global standards, guided by leaders who understand both the opportunities and responsibilities of operating in West Africa's energy landscape.
Corporate management team
Our Corporate Management Team
Decades of operating, financial and technical experience — committed to delivering on our promises to every stakeholder.
Dr. Ugo Okafor
Dr. Ugo Okafor is an astute business 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. He 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(66). 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 PML 66 (formerly PPL 202) during the license 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 Umugini Pipeline Infrastructure Limited, Midsun GGF Limited, and Ingentia Energies Limited. 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.
Highlights
- Chief Executive of SunTrust Atlantic
- Serves on boards of Umugini Pipeline, Midsun GGF, and Ingentia Energies
- Led acquisition of 35.82% interest in PML 66
Rachel Akhuetie (FCA)
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 and Services, overseeing strategic finance operations, joint venture coordination, asset acquisition and management, stakeholder engagement, and 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), a Certified Risk and Compliance Management Professional, and 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, she also serves as a director on the boards of four other companies in the oil and gas industry.
Highlights
- Over 24 years experience across finance, operations, and strategic leadership
- Fellow of ICAN and Certified IFRS Specialist
- Alumna of Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business
Hilary Okonye
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.
In his current role, Hilary oversees 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, and planning and preparation of well decommissioning (P&A) campaigns.
He is instrumental in developing in-house drilling and completion capabilities, including structured Well Delivery Processes, Workover Procedures, and Well Intervention Protocols aligned with industry best practices.
Highlights
- Over 13 years experience in drilling and workover operations
- Unit Head of Wells Department at SunTrust Atlantic
- Oversees exploration, appraisal, and development well projects
Yewande Ajilore
Yewande Ajilore is a highly skilled and results-driven legal professional with over 15 years of extensive experience delivering strategic, innovative, and business-focused legal advisory services.
Her expertise spans corporate and commercial law, energy law, regulatory compliance, and high-value transactions, enabling her to support seamless business operations and mitigate legal risks effectively.
Before joining SunTrust Atlantic Energies Limited, Yewande served as Senior Counsel at Dentons ACAS-Law, one of Nigeria's foremost law firms, where she developed deep expertise in Corporate & Commercial Law as well as Energy & Project Finance.
Currently serving as Head of Legal and Compliance at SunTrust Atlantic, Yewande provides strategic legal direction to the Management and Board of Directors, leads the company's secretarial function, oversees contract drafting, negotiation, and review, and ensures full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
She holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Commercial Law from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from Obafemi Awolowo University. She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, Society for Corporate Governance of Nigeria, and the Young Directors Forum of the Chartered Institute of Directors.
Highlights
- Over 15 years experience in corporate and energy law
- Former Senior Counsel at Dentons ACAS-Law
- LL.M in International Commercial Law from University of Aberdeen
Ekeno Ndebbio
Ekeno John Ndebbio is a seasoned finance and business professional with over 15 years of progressive experience across the consulting and oil & gas sectors.
His career spans financial management, audit, advisory, internal controls, and commercial operations, with demonstrated expertise in delivering value-driven financial solutions in complex industry environments.
Ekeno began his career at Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited before joining KPMG Professional Services, where he was involved in a wide range of client engagements across multiple industries including audit and accounting, advisory services, internal control design, and process reviews.
He joined SunTrust Atlantic Energies Limited in 2012 and has since held key roles including Accountant, Finance Manager, and currently General Manager, Finance and Commercial — responsible for overseeing the company's financial planning, commercial strategy, risk management, and operational finance.
Ekeno holds a B.Sc. in Accounting from the University of Calabar and an MBA with a specialization in Oil and Gas Management from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACTI).
Highlights
- Over 15 years experience in finance across consulting and oil & gas
- Former KPMG Professional Services consultant
- MBA in Oil and Gas Management from Heriot-Watt University
Okenwa Kalu Emekwo
Okenwa Kalu Emekwo is a seasoned operations and energy management professional with over 20 years of experience in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
His expertise spans geosciences, production operations, health, safety and environment (HSE), business development, project management, and crude oil export logistics.
Since joining SunTrust Atlantic Energies Limited in 2008, Okenwa has played a key role in advancing the company's operational capabilities. In his current role as Operations, Commercial, and HSE Manager, he is responsible for overseeing crude oil export operations and ensuring integrated performance across core business functions.
Okenwa is an active member of the Umusadege PML 22 Joint Venture Technical Team and serves on the Operating Committee of Umugini Pipeline Infrastructure Limited (UPIL).
He holds a B.Tech in Geophysics from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, an MSc in International Management (Oil and Gas Operations) from the University of Liverpool, and an MBA in Strategic Business Leadership from Osiri University. He is a member of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, and American Association of Petroleum Geologists.
Highlights
- Over 20 years experience in Nigerian oil and gas operations
- Expertise in geosciences, HSE, and project management
- Holds B.Tech, MSc, and MBA in relevant fields
Leadership news
From the boardroom and beyond.
Partner with us
Building Africa's energy future, together.
From technical partners to host communities, we collaborate with organizations that share our commitment to safety, integrity and long-term value.