Ikeja Electric names interim head in leadership shakeup

Ikeja Electric has named Mrs Ogochukwu Onyelucheya as its Acting Chief Executive Officer, a role she will assume on July 1, 2026, following the transition of the current CEO, Mrs Folake Soetan, to a broader role within the energy sector.

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This development is aimed at bolstering the company's leadership to drive growth, innovation, and service excellence across the power sector, as disclosed in a statement by the Head of Corporate Communications, Kingsley Okotie, on Saturday.

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Soetan, who has been at the helm of Ikeja Electric since 2020, will take on wider strategic responsibilities across Sahara's power and upstream businesses, building on her achievements in transforming the company over the past six years.

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The Chairman of Ikeja Electric, Kola Adesina, praised Soetan's leadership, describing her tenure as transformative and instrumental in making Ikeja Electric a more resilient, customer-focused, and performance-driven organisation.

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During her tenure, Soetan oversaw significant improvements in operational performance, strengthened stakeholder confidence, and positioned Ikeja Electric for sustainable growth within Nigeria's evolving electricity landscape, according to the company.

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Soetan reflected on her time at Ikeja Electric, saying it was an honour to lead the company and work with a team dedicated to delivering value to customers and communities, and she looks forward to supporting the group's vision in her new role.

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The board's decision to appoint Onyelucheya reflects its confidence in her leadership capabilities, strategic vision, and track record of driving organisational transformation and sustainable performance, with Adesina expressing confidence in her ability to build on the strong foundation at Ikeja Electric.

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Onyelucheya brings over 20 years of experience in business strategy, financial management, and operational growth across the banking and energy sectors, with a background in leading large-scale business turnarounds through process digitisation and automation.

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She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Nnamdi Azikwe University, a Master of Science degree in Finance and Financial Law from the University of London, and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, with a strong educational foundation to inform her leadership.

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Onyelucheya has pledged to build on the company's achievements, focusing on improving customer service and operational performance, and delivering improved service, deepening customer trust, and driving sustainable performance for all stakeholders.

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Adesina noted that the leadership transition demonstrates Ikeja Electric's commitment to continuity, operational excellence, and the delivery of reliable energy solutions that improve customer experience, expand energy access, and support sustainable development.

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The company is well-positioned to strengthen stakeholder confidence and continue creating value for customers, employees, regulators, investors, and the communities it serves, according to Adesina.