Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited has announced new board appointments as part of its succession planning and ongoing efforts to position the company for growth within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
According to a statement on Wednesday, the company appointed its Chief Executive Officer, Oladapo Filani, as the Managing Director, while Alex Osho was named the Executive Director (Finance & Commercial).
The appointments come as Waltersmith continues to pursue growth initiatives focused on production optimisation, portfolio expansion, and operational performance.
Filani, who has served as CEO since 2023, will oversee Waltersmith’s upstream, midstream gas, and downstream businesses in his new role.
Osho, who was previously Chief Financial Officer from December 2019 to January 2023 and has served as Group Chief Operating Officer since February 2023, will lead the company’s finance and commercial functions, according to the statement.
Commenting on the appointments, the Chairman of the Board, Abdulrazaq Isa, said, “I firmly believe in the leadership potential of the company’s new leader, Mr Filani. He has led by example and placed the company on a robust growth path over the last few years, hinged on strong technical capabilities and a can-do spirit.”
Isa added that Osho had also played a significant role in the company’s recent direction.
“He will be supported by Mr Osho, who has also been extremely influential in charting a new course for the company over the past few years, relying on his financial/commercial acumen, critical thinking skills, and collaborative approach,” he said.
According to the chairman, both executives have “demonstrated strong leadership, professionalism, empathy, and vision”, adding, “It is with this confidence that I hand over the reins of the company to its new leaders.”
Waltersmith also announced the appointment of Taiwo Adeniji to its board as an Independent Non-Executive Director in July 2025.
Adeniji reportedly brings over 30 years of experience in development finance, investment banking, and infrastructure financing.
Filani is described as a petroleum engineer with over 26 years of experience in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Before joining Waltersmith, he served as Deputy General Manager, Corporate Strategy and Business Delivery at First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited. His career also includes senior roles at Eland Oil & Gas and Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria Limited.
Osho also has over 20 years’ experience spanning energy, investment banking, and consulting. Prior to joining Waltersmith, he worked at FBNQuest Merchant Bank, Barclays Africa, KPMG, Oando, and FBN Capital. At Waltersmith, he has been involved in several financing, restructuring, and asset acquisition transactions.
Adeniji retired from Africa Finance Corporation in June 2024 after 17 years in executive management roles. Prior to that, he worked for 13 years at the African Development Bank, focusing on infrastructure and industrial projects across multiple African countries.
