Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
LAGOS, Nigeria – Shell Plc has appointed Elohor Aiboni as Executive Vice President and Country Chair for Nigeria, making her the first Nigerian to hold the combined leadership position in the company’s more than six decades of operations in the country. The appointment, which takes effect on August 1, 2026, was announced in a statement issued on Thursday, June 18, by Shell’s Communications Manager, Gladys Afam-Anadu. Aiboni, currently serving as Asset Director at Brunei Shell Petroleum, succeeds Marno de Jong, who is leaving the company after a distinguished 34-year career to pursue another opportunity.
The appointment marks a significant milestone for Shell’s operations in Nigeria, with Aiboni bringing more than 24 years of experience across the company’s offshore, shallow-water, and onshore businesses, as well as international assignments in Kazakhstan and Brunei. She is the first Nigerian to assume the combined role of Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria, a position that oversees all of Shell’s operations in the country. Aiboni previously served as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), becoming the first woman to hold the position in 2021. During her tenure, she led Shell’s deepwater business and associated investments in Nigeria, with the Bonga field achieving a major milestone by producing its one-billionth barrel of oil in 2023. She moved to Brunei in 2024, where she has been responsible for overseeing asset performance, production and project delivery.
Reacting to her appointment, Aiboni expressed excitement at the opportunity to contribute to the efficient delivery of Shell’s business in Nigeria. “I’m excited at the opportunity to continue to contribute to the efficient delivery of Shell’s business in Nigeria and thereby power progress in a country we’ve been part of for more than 60 years,” she said. She also acknowledged the legacy of her predecessor, stating, “Marno has led from his heart these six plus years, sustaining operations and breaking new grounds in project delivery and growth. It’s a legacy I’m keen to build on with the support of colleagues and other stakeholders.”
Commenting on his departure, Marno de Jong expressed appreciation for the support he received during his tenure in Nigeria. “I leave with fond memories of warm friendships and strong support from colleagues in Shell and our partners,” he said. “I’m confident that Shell operations in Nigeria will continue to deliver value and growth under Elohor, given the strong leadership credentials she brings to the role.” De Jong was appointed Senior Vice President Nigeria in 2020 and later assumed the additional role of Executive Vice President and Country Chair, overseeing all Shell operations in the country. Under his leadership, the Bonga deepwater asset maintained operational availability levels above target, and he played a key role in advancing major investment decisions, including the HI offshore gas project and the Bonga North development.
Aiboni’s appointment comes about six months after Shell signalled plans to deepen its investments in Nigeria, citing improvements in policy consistency, political stability and government leadership. During a visit to President Bola Tinubu in January 2026, Shell’s Chief Executive Officer, Wael Sawan, expressed growing optimism about opportunities in Nigeria’s energy sector. “We are very keen to invest in Nigeria. But I would say this has not always been the case,” Sawan said at the time. The appointment of a Nigerian to the combined leadership role is seen as a strategic move that aligns with the company’s renewed confidence in the country’s oil and gas sector and its commitment to local talent development and leadership succession. For the Nigerian energy industry, Aiboni’s appointment is a landmark moment, signalling that indigenous professionals can ascend to the highest echelons of global energy companies, and for Shell, it represents a calculated bet on local leadership to navigate the complex and often volatile landscape of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
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