Global energy major, Shell, has appointed former Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SN EPCo), Mrs Elohor Aiboni, as Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria.
The appointment makes her the first Nigerian and first woman to hold the combined position in the company’s more than six decades of operations in the country.
The appointment takes effect from August 1, 2026.
Mrs Aiboni succeeds outgoing Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria, Mr Marno de Jong, who is leaving Shell after a distinguished 34-year career with the company.
Mrs Aiboni brings a rare blend of operational, technical and international leadership experience gained across Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Brunei.
With over 24 years in the Shell Group, she has built an impressive record across the company’s offshore, shallow-water and onshore operations.
In 2021, she made history as the first female Managing Director of SNEPCo, Shell’s deepwater subsidiary in Nigeria, becoming the first woman to lead a Shell exploration company in Nigeria.
Under her leadership, the flagship Bonga deepwater asset achieved the landmark production of its one-billionth barrel of oil in 2023 while maintaining strong operational performance.
She later moved to Brunei Shell Petroleum in 2024 as Asset Director, where she has been responsible for asset performance, production delivery and project execution.
Announcing the transition, Mr Marno de Jong expressed confidence in his successor’s ability to build on recent gains, noting that, “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.”
Mr De Jong, who joined Shell in 1992, led the company’s Nigerian operations through a period of significant transformation, overseeing strong performance at the Bonga asset and helping advance key investment decisions, including the HI gas project and the Bonga North development.
On her part, Mrs Aiboni pledged to build on the foundation laid by her predecessor.
“I’m excited about 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. Marno has led from his heart these six-plus years, sustaining operations and breaking new ground in project delivery and growth. It’s a legacy I’m keen to build on with the support of colleagues and other stakeholders,” she said.
Mrs Aiboni’s appointment further reinforces the growing influence of Nigerian professionals in the global energy industry and represents a major milestone for diversity and local leadership within Shell’s worldwide operations.