L – R: Policy and Advocacy Manager, Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Onyekachi Igwe; Head, Entrepreneurship and Commercial Orientation, Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) Edward Ogenyi; Vice President, Relations and Sustainable Development, Renaissance, Igo Weli; Chief Executive Officer, PSIN, Imeh Okon; Renaissance’s Principal Policy and Advocacy Adviser, Boma Ariyim; and Exploration Portfolio and Strategy Lead, Jude Osimobi, at the Renaissance-sponsored Public Servants Pre-Retirement Seminar in Abuja… on Wednesday..
Retirement should be viewed not as the end of a productive career but as an opportunity for reinvention, growth and continued contribution to society, Vice President, Relations and Sustainable Development, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Igo Weli, has said.
Weli spoke at a Pre-Retirement Seminar organised by Renaissance in partnership with the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) for soon-to-retire public servants in Abuja. The programme equipped participants with practical knowledge and tools to prepare for life after active service, covering topics such as psychological transition and legacy, pension systems and public sector benefits, financial management, post-service business opportunities, exit planning, and healthcare options after retirement.
Speaking at the event, Weli commended the participants for their years of dedicated service to the nation and acknowledged the critical role public servants play in driving Nigeria’s development.
He said, “Today is a celebration of your years of service and contribution to nation-building. The Nigerian public service remains one of the most important institutions in our country, providing the framework through which government policies are translated into meaningful outcomes for citizens. Across every sector, including the oil and gas industry, the efforts of public servants create the enabling environment for progress and growth.
“Many of the achievements recorded by organisations such as Renaissance are possible because of the work carried out daily by civil servants in ministries, departments and agencies. Your impact extends far beyond your offices and is reflected in the growth and development of our country.”
Weli encouraged participants to approach retirement with optimism and confidence, describing it as a new phase of life filled with possibilities.
He added, “Retirement is not an ending; it is the beginning of a new chapter. It is a time to apply the knowledge, experience and networks you have built over the years in new and meaningful ways. Whether through entrepreneurship, mentoring, consulting, community service or personal pursuits, there are tremendous opportunities ahead.
“I encourage you not to despair about leaving active service but to look forward to the possibilities that this next phase presents. Your capacity to make a difference does not end with retirement.”
He reaffirmed Renaissance’s commitment to the initiative, noting that the company would continue to work with PSIN to strengthen future editions of the programme.
In her remarks, the Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria, Barrister Imeh Okon, underscored the importance of deliberate preparation for retirement, describing the transition from active service as a critical life stage that requires thoughtful planning.
She said, “Retirement is an inevitable phase of life for every worker and one that requires careful preparation. Beyond financial readiness, individuals must also prepare psychologically, socially and professionally for the transition.
“This seminar has been designed to provide participants with the knowledge, skills and perspectives required to approach retirement with confidence, dignity and a clear sense of purpose. Our goal is to help retiring officers view retirement not as a period of decline, but as an opportunity for renewal, reinvention and continued relevance.”
She commended Renaissance for partnering with the Institute to support public servants as they prepare for life after service.
The pre-retirement seminar was held alongside the second batch of the Oil and Gas Seminar for Senior Government Officials, another joint Renaissance-PSIN initiative aimed at deepening participants’ understanding of the oil and gas industry and its contribution to the Nigerian economy.
The Batch 2 session, which took place on October 6 and 7, followed the successful inaugural edition held in June 2026. Speaking during the opening session, General Manager, Business Relations, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Mr. Enobong Ekanem, said the programme’s expansion was informed by feedback received from participants at previous engagements.
“We listened to feedback from a previous engagement and that is why we organised this programme for other levels of the civil service, Ekanem said, adding: The policies of the Federal Government, implemented by persons and ministries, departments and agencies represented here, have aided Renaissance to ramp up production. We will show you how everything you do in your job leads to every drop of oil produced in this country.”
Ekanem described the public service as the engine room of the nation, noting that the work of public servants remains vital to the effective functioning of government and the growth of strategic sectors such as oil and gas.
