When it comes to Corporate Social Investment (CSI), Seplat Energy has it figured out on the best way to impact people in need within the society. Its “Eye Can See” CPI is restoring sight and rebuilding lives of people shattered by circumstances beyond their control.
Over the years, the “Eye Can See” scheme has steadily evolved to bring hope to thousands by offering them free medical eye services. The move is thereby bridging a gap in healthcare access, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.
For any business with heart of gold, one of its major considerations should be giving hope to the hopeless by touching people’s lives positively.
Such efforts always come with positive feedback from the beneficiaries, giving such company the zeal to do more.
To promote better and quality life for the people, Seplat Energy Plc., an operator in the Nigerian energy space, took several bold and practical steps to redefine Corporate Social Investment (CSI) by bridging service delivery gaps in the healthcare industry.
For instance, as of 2024, approximately 1.13 million Nigerians aged 40 and above—representing about 4.2 per cent of that age group—live with visual impairment, according to the Coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Despite this staggering figure, access to quality eye care remains a pressing concern.
Since 2012, the Seplat Energy Joint Venture with the NNPC Exploration & Production Limited (NEPL) has been addressing this challenge head-on through its flagship Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative, “Eye Can See.”
Over the years, the programme has steadily evolved to bring hope to thousands, offering free consultations, vision screenings, cataract surgeries, reading glasses, and critical health education to underserved communities across Edo, Delta and Imo States—bridging a significant gap in healthcare access, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.
As noted by the company’s Director of External Affairs & Social Performance, Chioma Afe, the initiative has been sustained by the continued cooperation of the Joint Venture partners, and all services under the programme are free of charge.
The “Eye Can See” initiative demonstrates the long-term value of corporate social investment in Nigeria. It aims to address the critical need for eye care in host communities where access to healthcare is often limited, particularly in rural regions. The initiative has so far delivered 110,634 eye treatments, dispensed 55,382 pairs of reading glasses to individuals in need, and performed 4,752 cataract surgeries—restoring vision to many who would have otherwise faced blindness. These remarkable achievements highlight Seplat Energy’s ongoing commitment to enhancing eye health and providing life-changing medical interventions to its host communities.
A unique aspect of Seplat Energy’s CSI approach is the inclusion of health education as a central component of the programme. In addition to providing medical treatment, “Eye Can See” also educates participants on the link between vision health and other health conditions. According to medical experts, diseases like hypertension and diabetes can lead to vision impairment and even blindness, if left untreated.
Through this initiative, the Seplat Energy JV has continued to raise awareness about these issues and has helped participants take proactive steps toward managing their health.
Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, the Edo State Commissioner for Health, underscored the importance of this educational aspect of the initiative during the 2025 edition of the programme. He noted that “more than half of the ailments that lead to blindness are treatable, and the ‘Eye Can See’ programme is showing our people that with early intervention, many of these conditions can be prevented.”
The Power of Restored Sight
At its core, the “Eye Can See” initiative is not just about restoring vision, but also about improving lives. The ability to work, support one’s family and live independently is invaluable—and Seplat Energy’s initiative has provided these opportunities to many individuals whose lives were previously constrained by poor vision. Restoring sight does more than address a medical issue; it restores a person’s dignity and ability to fully participate in society and the economy, contributing to overall community prosperity.
For many beneficiaries like Dennis Laure from Delta State, regaining sight has meant the return of independence and productivity. Laure, who had been suffering from vision problems for over five years, spoke emotionally about the transformative impact the surgery has had on his life at the 2025 edition in Edo State. “Now, I can see clearly. I can go back to my work and live a normal life. I am very grateful to Seplat for this opportunity,” he said.
Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Impact
The success of the “Eye Can See” initiative can be attributed not only to Seplat Energy’s commitment but also to the strong partnerships it has formed with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies and community leaders. The involvement of the Oba of Benin, represented by the Obakhavbaye of Benin, Chief Raphael Oronsaye, during the 2025 event, was a testament to the importance of local leadership in driving the success of such initiatives. His endorsement of the programme helped mobilise the community, ensuring that those who needed care were aware of programme and could access the services provided.
Investing in Sustainable Healthcare Solutions
Looking ahead, Seplat Energy has ambitious plans to further enhance its impact in Edo State. As part of its long-term plans, the company is exploring the establishment of an eye hospital in Edo State, to provide a permanent healthcare facility for residents to access eye care services. The hospital would not only address immediate needs, but also serve as a long-term solution for eye health in the region, ensuring that people have access to the care they need without having to travel long distances.
Recall that on 7 October 2024, the Seplat JV handed over a fully equipped, state-of-the-art Eye Centre it built at the Sapele Central Hospital to the Delta State Government, to serve as a hub for the treatment of all eye-related issues within the region and beyond.
The development of a permanent healthcare facility aligns with Seplat Energy’s broader CSI vision, which includes investing in sustainable healthcare infrastructure that benefits communities on an ongoing basis. By establishing another dedicated eye hospital in Edo State, Seplat Energy would be laying the foundation for a long-term solution that will continue to serve the people for generations to come.
Seplat Energy’s “Eye Can See” initiative exemplifies how CSI can go beyond short-term philanthropic efforts to create lasting, meaningful change. Through its comprehensive approach to healthcare—which includes medical treatment, health education, and community empowerment—Seplat Energy has demonstrated the positive impact that companies can have when they prioritise the welfare of their host communities.
As Seplat Energy continues its commitment to improving eye health and providing sustainable solutions for the future, the “Eye Can See” programme stands as a model for what effective corporate social investment should look like.
Seplat Energy’s financial performance
Seplat Energy Plc recently released its audited results for the three months (Q1) ended March 31, 2025 recording revenue of N1.228 trillion for the period, from N268.6 billion reported same quarter last year. Its gross profit soared to N535.4 billion from N63.8 billion year-on-year (YoY).
Cash generated from its operations for the period grew to N464.9 billion from N25.2 billion year-on-year while profit before tax (PBT) rose to N314.6 billion from N103.5 billion year-on-year.
The energy company delivered robust production and cost performance during 1Q 2025, at a new scale, and firmly on track to deliver FY 2025 guidance. Strong cash position supports early repayment of $250 million reducing the Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) to $100 million, and an increase in our quarterly dividend to US 4.6 cents per share.
For the period, production averaged 131,561 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) up 167 percent from 1Q 2024 (49,258 boepd), above the midpoint of 2025 guidance (120 – 140 kboepd).
Seplat Energy achieved more than 7.3million man hours without Lost Time Injury (LTI), of which 2.5 million was Seplat onshore-operated assets (1Q 2024: 2.3million man hours) and 4.8 million hours without LTI for Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU) – formerly Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU).
Production averaged 131,561 boepd up 167 percent from 1Q 2024 (49,258 boepd), above the midpoint of 2025 guidance (120 – 140 kboepd).
Onshore production contribution of 56,196 boepd, was 14 percent higher than Q1 2024, and above 2025 guidance. Within this, liquids +10 percent and gas +21 percent versus Q1 2024, following strong performance at Oben Gas Plant and first contribution from Sapele Gas Plant.
SEPNU production contribution of 75,365 boepd, within guidance, of which 88 percent crude and condensate, 4 percent NGL and 8percent gas.
SEPNU idle well restoration programme added c.11 kbopd gross JV production from the first 10 wells restored to production. Sapele Integrated Gas Plant (SIGP) was commissioned and achieved first commercial gas sales in February 2025. Plant is delivering high quality processed gas, and condensate yields of c.2 kbopd.
Bello Rabiu, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director and Babs Omotowa, Independent Non-Executive Director resigned from the Board following their appointment to the NNPC Limited board. The Board has unanimously appointed Bashirat Odunewu as Senior Independent Non-Executive Director.
Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy, Roger Brown, said: “2025 has started positively for Seplat. As we deliver the business at a significantly enhanced scale, our focus is on the successful integration of the combined companies, and I am pleased to report that we are making goodprogress. It is clear that we can benefit greatly from the combined expertise of our onshore and offshore workforce.
He said, “Production has been strong, showing the benefit of the continuous drilling programme, investment in asset integrity and the availability of multiple evacuation routes. Financial performance was also strong, allowing us to be pro-active in materially reducing gross debt, maintaining low balance sheet leverage, and further strengthening our company as the near term global economic outlook becomes less predictable.
“We remain conservative in our approach, but our confidence in the future trajectory for our business, combined with our strong financial position, means that we are delighted to increase our quarterly dividend to $ 4.6c/share, an 28 per cent increase in our quarterly dividend versus 4Q 2024. Our assets are high quality, and while we will remain agile to the prevailing oil price environment, our business plan is designed to be robust at lower oil prices and our gas revenues, which are largely delinked to oil prices, provide long-term stability for the business. We are committed to our plan of growth and maximising value for our stakeholders,” she added.
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