Ikeja Electric has appointed Ogochukwu Onyelucheya as its acting chief executive officer, effective July 1.

The company said the appointment was part of efforts to strengthen leadership and accelerate operational performance.

Kingsley Okotie, head of corporate communications, announced the appointment in a statement in Lagos on Saturday.

The company said the leadership change would support innovation, improved customer service and sustainable growth.

The appointment follows the transition of Folake Soetan, who served as CEO since 2020.

Mrs Soetan will now assume broader strategic responsibilities within the energy sector after her successful tenure.

Chairman of Ikeja Electric, Kola Adesina, praised Mrs Soetan’s leadership and described her tenure as transformative.

“Folake has been instrumental in transforming Ikeja Electric into a more resilient organisation,” Mr Adesina said.

He added that she helped build a customer-focused and performance-driven company through innovation and resilience.

“Her leadership reflects innovation, resilience and impact,” Mr Adesina said, noting that the company recorded improved operational efficiency during Mrs Soetan’s tenure.

He said Ikeja Electric also gained stronger stakeholder confidence and achieved long-term sustainability.

Mrs Soetan, while reflecting on her time as CEO, described the opportunity as a privilege.

“It has been an honour to lead Ikeja Electric and work with a committed team,” she said.

She added that she would continue supporting broader energy sector goals in her new capacity.

The Ikeja Electric Board expressed confidence in Mrs Onyelucheya’s ability to lead the organisation effectively.

Mrs Onyelucheya brings extensive leadership experience and institutional knowledge to the role.

Mr Adesina said her appointment would consolidate existing achievements and drive the company’s next growth phase.

“Ogochukwu (Onyelucheya) brings leadership experience, strategic clarity and execution discipline.

“We are confident in her ability to build on the foundation already laid,” he said.

He said she would help drive innovation, efficiency and customer-focused growth across the company.

Mrs Onyelucheya is a corporate executive with more than 20 years of experience in banking and energy.

She has led strategy, financial control and operational transformation initiatives across different sectors.

Her experience includes process digitisation, automation and revenue assurance improvement programmes.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

She also holds a master’s degree in finance and financial law from the University of London.

The new acting CEO is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

Mrs Onyelucheya expressed appreciation for the opportunity to lead Ikeja Electric at this stage.

“Taking responsibility for building on the strong foundation at Ikeja Electric is a privilege,” she said.

She pledged to improve service delivery and strengthen customer trust.

“We will remain focused on sustainable performance and delivering greater value,” Mrs Onyelucheya added.

According to the company, the transition reflects its commitment to continuity and operational excellence.

Ikeja Electric said it would continue to improve the customer experience across its franchise area.

The company added that the new leadership would deepen stakeholder confidence.

It said the organisation remained committed to reliable electricity supply and value creation.

Ikeja Electric also reaffirmed its commitment to customers, regulators, investors and host communities.

(NAN)