In a significant career milestone that underscores Nigeria’s growing influence in the global energy and geoscience community, seasoned petroleum geologist Mr. Seye Ekun has been elected Vice President of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Africa Region for the term July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
The announcement, made by the AAPG Africa Region on Wednesday, celebrates a career marked by dedication, professional excellence, and decades of voluntary service to advancing petroleum geology on the continent.
Mr. Ekun, who joined AAPG in 2000 as a full voting member, has held several leadership positions over the past two decades. From 2020 to 2022, he served as Treasurer of the Africa Region, playing a key role in strengthening the association’s financial and operational framework.
He was instrumental in coordinating AAPG’s Imperial Barrel Award programmes, which groom young geoscientists for industry challenges, and he successfully organised the first AAPG Geosciences Technology Workshop in Africa—a landmark event that brought together leading experts to address pressing industry issues.
Since 2017, Ekun has served on the Enhancing Mature Fields’ Life Cycles Committee, working to extend the productivity of existing oil fields through innovative exploration and recovery techniques. His contributions earned him the AAPG Distinguished Service Award in 2023 and recognition for 25 years of membership in 2025.
Additionally, from 2020 to 2023, he served as a Certified Petroleum Geologist with the association’s Division of Professional Affairs, further cementing his credentials as a trusted voice in the sector.
With more than 18,000 members in 94 countries, AAPG’s Africa Region is one of the most diverse and strategically important arms of the association. The organisation plays a vital role in advancing scientific research, fostering sustainable practices, and promoting professional collaboration in petroleum and energy geosciences across the continent.
In his new role, Ekun is expected to champion initiatives that promote local content, encourage youth participation in geoscience careers, and strengthen Africa’s capacity for energy transition projects.
“This appointment is not just a personal milestone, but a responsibility to lead, mentor, and inspire the next generation of African geoscientists,” Ekun said in a brief statement. “We are entering an era where petroleum geology will intersect more closely with sustainability, renewable energy, and innovative exploration methods, and Africa must be at the forefront of this shift.”
Industry experts believe that Ekun’s leadership could help bridge the gap between Africa’s traditional oil and gas expertise and the emerging demands of a low-carbon global economy. With many African nations now balancing fossil fuel exploration with renewable energy projects, the AAPG Africa Region is poised to play a critical role in policy advocacy, technical knowledge sharing, and sustainable exploration practices.
AAPG described his appointment as “a celebration of a career built on passion, volunteerism, and the pursuit of excellence in geoscience”, expressing optimism that his tenure would energise the Africa Region, inspire innovative projects, and strengthen professional standards across the industry.
The association added: “The region celebrates this milestone and looks forward to a future where his vision continues to shape and uplift the geoscience community across Africa and beyond.”
Founded in 1917, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists is one of the world’s largest professional geological societies, with a mission to advance the science of geology, foster innovation in petroleum exploration, and promote sustainable practices in the global energy industry.
With Africa being a growing frontier for oil, gas, and renewable projects, Ekun’s leadership comes at a pivotal time—one that could influence both energy security and the future of petroleum geology on the continent.