Shell names Elohor Aiboni as first Nigerian Executive Vice President

Shell has announced the appointment o Elohor Aiboni as Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria, succeeding Marno de Jong, who is leaving the company after a 34-year career to pursue other opportunities.

Aiboni, a former Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited, SNEPCo, and currently Asset Director at Brunei Shell Petroleum, will assume her new role on August 1, 2026.

De Jong, who was appointed Senior Vice President Nigeria in 2020 and later became Executive Vice President and Country Chair, has overseen Shell’s operations across Nigeria during a period marked by major investments and operational milestones.

Having joined Shell in 1992 as a Project Engineer, De Jong built a distinguished career spanning project delivery, engineering, commercial operations and upstream development. He held various leadership roles across the United Kingdom, Venezuela, Nigeria, Australia, the United States, the Netherlands, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Under his leadership, Shell’s flagship Bonga deepwater asset recorded strong operational performance, maintaining availability levels above target. He also played a key role in advancing major investment decisions, including the HI offshore gas project and the Bonga North development.

Reflecting on his tenure, De Jong expressed gratitude to colleagues and partners for their support.

“I’m grateful for the support I have enjoyed during my time in Nigeria, which enabled us to make progress on many fronts. I leave with fond memories of warm friendships and strong support from colleagues in Shell and our partners.

“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, and I wish Shell Nigeria every success,” he said.

Aiboni’s appointment marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first Nigerian to hold the combined position of Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria.

With more than 24 years of experience within Shell, she has worked across the company’s offshore, shallow water and onshore businesses in Nigeria, as well as international assignments in Kazakhstan and Brunei.

She made history in 2021 as the first woman appointed Managing Director of SNEPCo, where she led Shell’s deepwater operations and investments in Nigeria. During her tenure, the Bonga field achieved the landmark production of its one-billionth barrel of oil in 2023.

In 2024, she moved to Brunei Shell Petroleum as Asset Director, overseeing asset performance, production and project delivery.

Speaking on her appointment, Aiboni said she was honoured by the opportunity to lead Shell’s operations in Nigeria.

“I’m excited at the opportunity to continue contributing to the efficient delivery of Shell’s business in Nigeria and thereby power progress in a country where we have operated for more than 60 years.

“Marno has led from the heart during his more than six years in Nigeria, sustaining operations while breaking new ground in project delivery and growth. It is a legacy I am keen to build upon with the support of colleagues and stakeholders,” she said.

The leadership transition is expected to ensure continuity in Shell’s operations and strategic investments in Nigeria, where the company remains one of the largest players in the oil and gas industry.