LAGOS, Nigeria — Shell has appointed Elohor Aiboni as Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria, marking the first time a Nigerian and a woman will hold the combined position in the company’s six decades of operations in the country. The appointment takes effect August 1, 2026.
Aiboni, who previously served as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), succeeds Marno de Jong, who is retiring after a 34-year career with Shell.
With more than 24 years in the Shell Group, Aiboni brings extensive operational and international leadership experience from Nigeria, Kazakhstan, and Brunei. In 2021, she became the first female Managing Director of SNEPCo, leading the company’s deepwater operations. Under her tenure, the flagship Bonga field achieved its one-billionth barrel of oil in 2023. She later moved to Brunei Shell Petroleum as Asset Director, overseeing production delivery and project execution.
Industry analysts say her return to Nigeria comes at a critical time, as Shell advances major investment projects including Bonga North and offshore gas developments aimed at boosting Nigeria’s energy output.
De Jong praised his successor, saying: “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 roles.”
Responding to her appointment, Aiboni said she was eager to build on her predecessor’s legacy. “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.
Her appointment is seen as a milestone for diversity and local leadership within Shell’s global operations, reinforcing the growing influence of Nigerian professionals in the international energy industry.
