Abuja, Nigeria – June 18, 2025
In a landmark move for Nigeria’s South-South region, the Senate Committee on the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has officially confirmed Usoro Offiong Akpabio, FRSA, FCE, as the Commission’s first Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. The screening, held at the Senate New Building in Abuja, solidifies her role in spearheading transformative development across the oil-rich Niger Delta.
A Visionary Leader for a Critical Mandate
Akpabio’s appointment signals a bold step toward structured regional progress, with the SSDC tasked with driving infrastructure, job creation, environmental restoration, and industrial growth in Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo, Delta, and Cross River States. Her extensive 18-year career in energy, public policy, and strategic development positions her as the ideal leader for this pivotal role.
A Stellar Track Record in Energy and Development
Before this appointment, Akpabio served as Group General Manager for Trading, Government, and Client Relations at Century Energy Group, where she led initiatives in gas commercialization, regulatory compliance, and refinery operations. Her expertise extends to:
Energy Diplomacy & Stakeholder Engagement – Facilitating partnerships between government and private sector players.
Infrastructure & Economic Strategy – Advising major refinery projects and shaping legislative frameworks.
Oil & Gas Operations – Hands-on experience in pipeline management, FPSO coordination, and terminal operations.
Her leadership roles at Taleveras Group and Intercontinental Group further underscore her ability to merge private-sector efficiency with public-sector impact.
Global Education & Policy Influence
An alumna of the University of Calabar, Akpabio has honed her skills through executive programs at Imperial College London and Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. She has also contributed to high-level global discussions, including:
United Nations General Assembly (Policy Advocacy)
UN Women on Peace & Security
AFREXIM Intra-African Trade Forum
Global Maritime Security Conferences
Her thought leadership has earned her fellowships at the Royal Society of Arts (UK) and the Chartered Institute of Economists, alongside memberships in key industry bodies like the Society of Petroleum Engineers and Nigerian Gas Association.
A Heart for Humanitarian Impact
Beyond corporate success, Akpabio is deeply committed to social change through her Usoro Akpabio Educational Foundation (UAEF), which has:
Funded surgeries and healthcare initiatives
Built boreholes for clean water access
Awarded scholarships to underprivileged students
Supported special-needs schools and women’s empowerment programs
Her humanitarian efforts have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the African Achievers Award (UK House of Commons) and Humanitarian Woman of the Year (Nigerian Festival Awards).
What’s Next for the SSDC?
With Akpabio at the helm, stakeholders anticipate a robust first-year action plan focused on:
✔ Sustainable infrastructure projects
✔ Youth employment and skills development
✔ Environmental cleanup and preservation
✔ Public-private investment partnerships
As she prepares to assume office, the South-South region looks forward to a new chapter of inclusive growth, energy-driven development, and lasting socio-economic transformation.
