Shell Plc has announced the appointment of Elohor Aiboni as its new Executive Vice President and Country Chair for Nigeria, following the departure of Marno de Jong, who is stepping down after more than six years in charge of the company’s Nigerian operations.
In a statement shared on its official X account, the company said de Jong’s tenure ended after what it described as a period marked by strong operational performance and major investment decisions in the country.
According to Shell Plc, the Bonga deepwater asset delivered solid results under his leadership, consistently maintaining production availability above target levels.
The company also credited him with helping to advance key projects, including the HI offshore gas project and the Bonga North development.
Elohor Aiboni becomes the first Nigerian to hold the combined role of Executive Vice President and Country Chair for Nigeria.
She brings more than two decades of experience within Shell Plc, having worked across offshore, shallow-water, and onshore operations in Nigeria, as well as international assignments in Kazakhstan and Brunei.
Aiboni previously served as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) from 2021, where she became the first woman to hold the role. During her tenure, the Bonga field reached a milestone of producing its one-billionth barrel of oil in 2023.
She later moved to Brunei in 2024, where she oversaw asset performance, production, and project delivery.
The new appointment is scheduled to take effect on 1 August 2026.
Shell Plc has in recent months indicated renewed interest in expanding its investments in Nigeria, citing improved policy stability and a more favorable operating environment.
During a recent meeting with Nigeria’s leadership, Shell’s chief executive expressed optimism about future opportunities in the country’s energy sector, noting a stronger willingness to invest compared to previous years.
Shell Plc has operated in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry for decades through its various subsidiaries, contributing significantly to government revenue, particularly in the Niger Delta.
However, its operations have also been linked to long-standing environmental concerns, including oil spills, pollution, and community disputes in affected regions.
