PwC announces Uyi Akpata’s retirement, names Sam Abu new Regional Senior Partner

Oredola Adeola

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has appointed Sam Abu as the new Regional Senior Partner for the West Market Area and Country Senior Partner for PwC Nigeria, succeeding Uyi Akpata, who will continue to be with the firm until his retirement on June 30, 2024.

This was confirmed in a statement released by PwC Nigeria and received by EnergyDay on Monday.

EnergyDay gathered that Uyi Akpata, the outgoing Country’s Senior Partner for PwC Nigeria and PwC’s Africa Oil and Gas leader, has held the position since July 2014.

According to PwC, Sam who has now joined the PwC Africa Leadership Team (ALT) based on the confirmation, will be responsible for setting and driving the strategy for Nigeria and the West Market Area – which includes Nigeria, Ghana, and Liberia with a focus delivering exceptional value to its clients in the region.

The statement said, ” As a member of the ALT, he will help set and drive the strategy for Nigeria and the West Market Area, with a focus on building trust and delivering sustained outcomes for stakeholders in the region.

“Sam is based in Lagos, Nigeria, and brings over 23 years of professional experience at PwC (Nigeria and the UK) to this new role, including many years of auditing and advising local and multinational clients across a range of industries.

“He has held several leadership roles within the firm, most recently as the West Market Area Assurance Leader and the Financial Services Leader for Nigeria. He also served for 6 years on the PwC Africa Governance Board.

PwC therefore stated that the new Country Senior Partner for PwC Nigeria, will succeed Mr. Uyi Akpata who has held the position since July 2014.

It however noted that Uyi will continue to be with the firm until his retirement on 30 June 2024 after having a long and successful career in the firm that spanned almost four decades, over three of these as partners.

Akpata, in his statement said that the appointment of Sam appointment as the firm’s Regional Senior Partner for the West Market Area and Country Senior Partner for PwC Nigeria reflects the confidence of PwC in his leadership ability and proven track record.

He said, “I am confident that the firm will continue to thrive under his leadership. I look forward to working closely with him over the next year.”

Abu in his comment said, ‘This is an incredible honour and an enormous responsibility, especially at this important time in our country and region. I look forward to exciting times ahead with the PwC community of solvers, building trust and delivering sustained outcomes with our clients and in our society.

He, therefore, commended Akpata for his leadership of the firm over the last decade, thereby soliciting his guidance and mentorship over the years.