Austin Avuru, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Petroleum Development Company, has won the highly prestigious and coveted Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in the Master Category for the Nigeria and West African sub-region. With this prestigious award, Avuru has joined the league of globally recognised entrepreneurs all over the world.
Avuru, a professional and vocal advocate of indigenous participation in the exploration and production sectors of the Nigerian oil industry, will be contesting alongside other winners from the various regions for the global Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year which will hold in Monaco in June 2014. Avuru studied Geology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, second class upper division in 1980. He proceeded to the University of Ibadan for post graduate diploma in Petroleum Engineering and left with a distinction. He would go on to work at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for 12 years. He is a sought after speaker on oil and gas issues and author of two critically acclaimed books.
Speaking at the award ceremony, the Minister of Trade, Olusegun Aganga, elaborated on the many benefits of events such as the Ernst and Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the need to celebrate entrepreneurs as they boost the economy by their business initiatives which provide employment amongst many others.
Ernst & Young’s Regional Managing Partner for West Africa, Mr. Henry Egbiki, who described the award as “the most prestigious award that recognises entrepreneurs across the world”, said finalists and winners of the award emerged after an extensive and intensive process. The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, sponsored by Ernst & Young, is held annually in more than 50 countries worldwide and recognises business leaders “driving successful, innovative businesses and celebrates their exemplary performance”. Every year, overall winners from different countries and regions gather in Monte Carlo, Monaco, for the annual Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The nominees are reviewed by an independent judging panel composed of several distinguished business leaders and previous award recipients. Aliko Dangote represented the West African sub region that saw Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the US-based Chobani named the Ernst & Young
