Francis Umeh is an environmental management professional with over 16 years of experience in environmental management, with particular expertise in oil spill detection, response, regulatory development and environmental assessment within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He currently serves as Director, Special Duties at the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), where he contributes to the Agency’s strategic and technical responsibilities in oil spill management and environmental regulation.
Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Umeh served as Head of the Yenagoa Field Office, Deputy Director, Special Duties, and Deputy Director, Oil Fields Assessment. In 2015, he established the Yenagoa Field Office as its pioneer Head, providing the leadership required to establish and operationalize the field office.
As a pioneer member of the Special Duties Department, he played a key role in the development of the Agency’s regulatory instruments, contributing to the establishment of frameworks that support effective oil spill management and environmental regulation. He has also served as Chairman of the Committee on Research on Biodegradable Spill Response Materials, leading efforts to explore environmentally sustainable alternatives for oil spill response.
Mr. Umeh brings to his current role a combination of technical expertise, regulatory experience, institutional leadership and a strong commitment to effective environmental management and sustainable development.