Nigeria’s oil sector has a new name at the top of Shell’s hierarchy, and for the first time, that name is Nigerian.
By Chioma Obinagwam
Nigeria’s oil sector got a historic leadership shift as Shell named Elohor Aiboni as Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria, making her the first Nigerian to hold the combined role, Confiance News has learnt.
Aiboni, who most recently served as Asset Director at Brunei Shell Petroleum, succeeds Marno de Jong, who is departing after more than six years steering Shell’s Nigerian operations across one of the company’s most consequential markets.
De Jong, who joined Shell in 1992 as a Project Engineer and built a 34-year career spanning the United Kingdom, Venezuela, Nigeria, Australia, the United States, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and Indonesia, was first appointed Senior Vice President Nigeria in 2020 before ascending to the dual role of Executive Vice President and Country Chair.
His tenure yielded tangible results. Shell’s flagship Bonga asset posted strong availability numbers above target under his watch, and he played a central role in advancing major investment decisions, including the HI offshore gas project and the Bonga North development.
”I’m grateful for the support I have enjoyed since my time in Nigeria,” de Jong was quoted as saying in a statement sighted by Confiance News. “I leave with fond memories of warm friendships and strong support from colleagues in Shell and our partners.”
Aiboni’s appointment carries the weight of several firsts. She brings over 24 years of Shell experience spanning Nigeria’s offshore, shallow water, and onshore operations, with international stints in Kazakhstan and Brunei. In 2021, she became the first woman to serve as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), a role that saw Bonga record its one billionth barrel of oil in 2023.
”I’m excited at the opportunity to continue to contribute to the efficient delivery of Shell’s business in Nigeria,” Aiboni said in the statement obtained by Confiance News. “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.”
The transition takes effect on 1 August 2026.
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