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Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has appointed Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, as the new Chairman of the OPEC Board of Governors for 2025 at its 189th meeting of the OPEC Conference.

 Adeyemi-Bero who has over 38 years experience in the oil and gas sector is the Chief Executive Officer of FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P), a Nigerian independent oil company.

A statement in Abuja signed by Nneamaka Okafor, the spokesperson to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said the appointment reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership in the global energy sector.

Prior to his appointment as the chairman of the OPEC board of governors, it said Adeyemi-Bero had earlier been confirmed as Nigeria’s OPEC governor for the year 2025.

“This prestigious role highlights Nigeria’s influence within OPEC and underscores the nation’s commitment to shaping global energy policies,” the statement added, with Lokpobiri hailing Adeyemi-Bero’s elevation as a testament to the country’s active contributions to the global oil industry.

Lokpobiri emphasised that the appointment provides Nigeria with a vital platform to advocate for balanced energy policies that benefit oil producers, consumers, and the global economy.

The minister also expressed profound gratitude to Mr Gabriel Aduda, the outgoing Nigerian OPEC Governor for what he described as his exemplary service, acknowledging Aduda’s instrumental role in advancing Nigeria’s interests within OPEC and ensuring the country’s influential presence in global energy discussions.

In addition, the statement said that OPEC appointed Adeeb Al-Aama, Governor of Saudi Arabia for OPEC, as the Alternate Chairman of the Board of Governors for 2025.

The OPEC Conference, it stressed, brought together representatives from member countries to address significant issues, including reports from the Secretary-General and the Economic Commission Board (ECB), and to deliberate on critical internal matters.

The conference also extended the tenure of Haitham Al Ghais as OPEC Secretary General for another three years, effective August 1, 2025.

“Member nations commended his exceptional leadership and the Secretariat’s unwavering commitment to the organisation’s objectives,” it added.