Midwestern Oil Breaks New Ground with First Female CEO at the Helm

Midwestern Oil & Gas has made history by appointing Elozino Olaniyan as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2025. Her elevation marks the first time a woman will lead the company’s executive operations.

Olaniyan brings more than 30 years of experience in the energy sector. Her background spans upstream operations, corporate strategy, and stakeholder engagement — most recently serving as General Manager for Safety & Environment at Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited. In that role, she drove reforms to improve operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Her appointment comes as Midwestern accelerates a broader push to bolster its governance structure. The firm has reconstituted its Board of Directors with a strong representation of independent, non-executive members to improve oversight. At the same time, it is restructuring its executive leadership team to align with national energy priorities and deepen its local content focus.

On her new role, Olaniyan said she is honored to lead at a pivotal time. She emphasized her commitment to “operational discipline, transparency, and sustainable growth,” aiming to generate long-term value for stakeholders and strengthen Midwestern’s contribution to Nigeria’s energy future.

Echoing her sentiment, Board Chairman Engr. Emeka Okwuosa described Olaniyan as “a defining figure” for the company’s next chapter. He highlighted her technical expertise, strategic vision, and dedication to sustainability as key to Midwestern’s evolution.

The company expressed optimism that combining refreshed governance, enhanced leadership capacity, and renewed investment in talent will help it deliver lasting value in Nigeria’s dynamic energy landscape.