NLNG bids farewell to outgoing MD Philip Mshelbila as Falade prepares to take over

By Chioma Obinagwam

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) hosted a heartfelt send-off ceremony in Abuja on Friday, celebrating the conclusion of Dr. Philip Mshelbila’s over four-year tenure as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Confiance News gathered that the event marked the end of a period defined by resilient leadership and key strategic advancements amid significant industry challenges.

The NLNG Board of Directors has approved the appointment of Engr. Adeleye Falade as the incoming Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Currently serving in the same role at Brunei LNG, Falade is expected to assume his new responsibilities in April 2026.

Dr. Mshelbila will officially depart NLNG on December 31, 2025, to take up the prestigious position of Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Doha, Qatar.

The Abuja ceremony drew a distinguished gathering, including NLNG directors, executives from shareholder companies, prominent figures from Nigeria’s public sector and energy industry, management team members, and staff representatives.

In his tribute, Deputy Managing Director Olakunle Osobu praised Mshelbila as a distinguished professional with diverse expertise in medicine, environmental health, business strategy, and international gas diplomacy. Osobu highlighted how Mshelbila assumed leadership during a turbulent era, navigating the lingering effects of COVID-19, severe flooding that damaged pipelines, vandalism, supplier force majeures, and global energy disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Despite these obstacles, Mshelbila prioritized sustainability, operational diversification, emissions reduction, and unwavering safety standards. A landmark achievement was the diversification of NLNG’s feed-gas sources beyond traditional shareholder joint ventures. In August 2025, NLNG signed long-term Gas Supply Agreements (GSAs) with six third-party suppliers, securing an estimated 1,290 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) of feed-gas—a pivotal move that enhances supply reliability and marks a new era for the company.

Osobu also commended Mshelbila’s innovative vision, which inspired stronger environmental stewardship and a comprehensive transformation program to redefine NLNG’s business model for long-term value and sustainability.

Sophia Horsfall, General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development, echoed these sentiments, thanking Mshelbila for his selfless leadership, steady resolve, clear vision, and principled approach. “You led with humility while inspiring greatness and navigated challenges with calm determination,” she said, noting his early commitment to sustainability.

In response, Mshelbila expressed deep appreciation to NLNG’s shareholders, Board, staff, and partners for their unwavering support. He lauded the company’s culture of innovation and excellence, vowing to carry these principles into his GECF role, where he will advocate for natural gas as a reliable, sustainable energy source and foster greater dialogue between gas-producing and consuming nations to ensure global market stability.

This transition underscores NLNG’s continued evolution as a leading player in the global LNG sector, building on a strong foundation for future growth.

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