African Energy Chamber elevates DCIT Chairman Abiola Lawal as board member
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
The African Energy Chamber (AEC), mouthpiece of the African energy sector has elevated Mr Abiola Lukman Lawal, Chairman, Digital Connect Infrastructure & Telecom (DCIT), as a member of its board.
With the recent appointment, Abiola Lawal is now the latest Board Member of the Chamber.
A seasoned executive with over three decades of experience in the oil and gas, infrastructure, telecoms and aviation sectors, Lawal’s appointment reaffirms the Chamber’s commitment to uniting visionary leaders to positively transform Africa’s energy and infrastructure.
According to the Chamber, Lawal’s appointment to the Board of AEC is upon a major milestone for DCIT, which recently partnered with U.S.-based Vanu Inc. to launch solar-powered mobile network sites in underserved Nigerian communities.
“This collaboration leverages Vanu’s low-power, off-grid systems and DCIT’s infrastructure capabilities to deploy scalable, renewable energy-driven connectivity solutions. With proof-of-concept sites now live, plans are underway for expansion across Nigeria and into other African markets – signaling a major leap in energy-tech convergence on the continent”.
Before to his appointment as board member of AEC and leadership at DCIT, Lawal served as Managing Director and CEO of Eterna PLC, where he spearheaded one of Nigeria’s most significant downstream energy turnarounds.
Under his leadership, Eterna joined a consortium that delivered Nigeria’s largest airside aviation fuel depot – the Joint User Hydrant Installation 2 – at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos . The 15-million-litre capacity facility now stands as a key asset in West Africa’s aviation infrastructure.
Further achievements during his tenure include restoring Eterna to profitability in FY 2024 after a N12 billion loss in 2023; projecting 27 percent revenue growth; achieving a 166 percent increase in operating profit in H1 2024; and driving a 117 percent year-to-date rise in share price which placed Eterna Plc among the Nigerian Exchange top-performing stocks.
Lawal also championed significant investments in LPG and CNG, enabling long-term resilience and diversification in volatile market conditions.
Recognized by BusinessDay as one of its Top 25 CEOs in Nigeria for 2024, Lawal’s strategic leadership continues to bridge traditional and emerging energy sectors. His prior roles include Deputy Managing Director and CFO at Eroton Exploration & Production, Executive Director at Oando Gas & Power and Group Chief Strategy Officer at Oando Plc where he played a pivotal role in the company’s downstream-to-upstream expansion strategy.
“The African Energy Industry is honored to welcome Abiola Lukman Lawal to our Board of Directors. He knows how to turnaround companies with his vary data driven and pragmatic leadership approach. His ability to connect infrastructure development, energy innovation and commercial strategy across both the public and private sectors makes him an invaluable addition to our leadership. Lawal’s appointment comes at a critical time as we accelerate investment, technology deployment and inclusive growth across Africa’s energy value chain,” NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman AEC stated.
“As a Board Member, Lawal will support the Chamber’s mission to foster a result-oriented business environment and promote private sector-led energy development across Africa. His leadership will be instrumental in driving cross-border collaboration, advancing infrastructure-led growth and helping to make energy poverty history across the continent”.
The AEC is well known for orchestrating the African Energy Week and the continent’s pre-eminent international energy conference.
Its mission revolves around fostering investment and steering the advancement of the African energy industry.
Through a multifaceted approach encompassing publications, dialogues, and events, the Chamber champions the cause of sustainable development in African energy markets and economies.
The Chamber’s focus areas include promoting investment, ensuring accountability and transparency, fostering education, encouraging local participation, securing government commitment to industry advancement, updating regulations, implementing effective measures, and facilitating a just energy transition.
The AEC has played major roles in facilitating ground-breaking and mutually beneficial deals between African governments and foreign oil, gas, and energy companies
