Energy giant shell.com has appointed Elohor Aiboni as its new Executive Vice President and Country Chair for Nigeria, effective August 1, 2026. She succeeds Marno de Jong, who is stepping down after a distinguished 34-year career with the company.
Aiboni, who currently serves as Asset Director at Brunei Shell Petroleum, becomes the first Nigerian to occupy the combined role of Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria. She brings more than 24 years of experience within Shell, having worked across the company’s offshore, shallow-water, and onshore operations in Nigeria, as well as international assignments in Kazakhstan and Brunei.
Her rise within the organisation has been marked by several milestones. In 2021, she became the first woman to serve as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo). During her tenure, she led the company’s deepwater operations and investments, with the Bonga asset achieving its one-billionth barrel of oil production in 2023. She later moved to Brunei in 2024, where she has been responsible for asset performance, production, and project delivery.
Expressing her excitement over the new appointment, Aiboni said she looks forward to advancing Shell’s operations in Nigeria while building on the achievements recorded under the outgoing leadership.
Meanwhile, de Jong leaves behind a strong legacy after more than six years leading Shell’s operations in Nigeria. Since joining Shell in 1992 as a Project Engineer, he has held various leadership positions across Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, and Africa. Under his stewardship, the Bonga asset maintained high operational performance, while major projects such as the HI offshore gas project and the Bonga North development progressed significantly.
Reflecting on his time in Nigeria, de Jong expressed gratitude for the support received from colleagues and partners, adding that he is confident Shell Nigeria will continue to deliver growth and value under Aiboni’s leadership.
The appointment underscores Shell’s commitment to leadership development and diversity, while positioning the company for continued growth in Nigeria’s energy sector.
