Nigeria’s oil and gas industry has entered a historic new era as Elohor Aiboni becomes the first woman to lead Shell Nigeria, succeeding Marno de Jong after more than six years at the helm.
Key Highlights
- Elohor Aiboni becomes Shell Nigeria’s first female Country Chair.
- Marno de Jong steps down after six years of leadership.
- Shell executives, NNPC, ministers and industry leaders celebrate transition.
- Aiboni vows to hit the ground running as Shell enters a new phase in Nigeria.
- Leadership change comes after major milestones, including Bonga expansion and Renaissance divestment.
Shell Nigeria has officially ushered in a new chapter with the appointment of Elohor Aiboni as its new Country Chair, making history as the first woman ever to lead Shell’s operations in Nigeria.
Aiboni takes over from outgoing Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Marno de Jong, whose tenure spanned more than six years and witnessed several landmark achievements across Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The leadership transition was announced in a statement issued by Shell’s Communications Manager, Gladys Afam-Anadu, following a high-profile ceremony in Lagos attended by senior government officials, regulators, oil industry leaders and business executives.
Speaking at the event, Shell plc Chief Executive Officer, Wael Sawan, praised de Jong’s leadership, describing him as an outstanding executive whose commitment, technical expertise and strategic direction strengthened Shell’s business in Nigeria.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, also commended de Jong, noting that Shell’s investments under his leadership aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Representing the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bayo Ojulari, Executive Vice President (Upstream), Udobong Ntia, applauded de Jong for his contributions to Nigeria’s gas development agenda and strategic collaboration with industry stakeholders.
During de Jong’s tenure, Shell recorded several major milestones, including:
Successful divestment of its onshore assets through Renaissance.
Sustained production from the Bonga deepwater field.
Production of over one billion barrels of oil.
Advancement of the Bonga North and HI projects.
Shell President, Upstream, Peter Costello, described de Jong as a leader who combined commercial excellence, technical depth and a people-first approach throughout his assignment.
Several senior Shell executives, including former Country Chair Osagie Okunbor, SNEPCo Managing Director Ronald Adams, Shell Nigeria Gas Managing Director Ralph Gbobo, and General Manager, Deepwater Oil, Iyke Nnoaham, also paid glowing tributes to the outgoing Country Chair.
Taking over the leadership mantle, Elohor Aiboni expressed excitement about the new responsibility and declared that work begins immediately.
“I’m looking forward to the journey ahead. The work starts now,” she said.
In his farewell remarks, Marno de Jong thanked the Federal Government, regulators, Shell employees and his family for their support throughout his assignment.
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Reflecting on his time in Nigeria, he said the experience taught him patience, resilience and the importance of listening, stressing that meaningful progress is achieved through partnership and collaboration.
The ceremony attracted top figures from Nigeria’s energy industry, including Nigeria LNG Managing Director Adeleye Falade, Midwestern Oil & Gas CEO Elozino Olaniyan, ExxonMobil Nigeria Chairman Jagir Baxi, and Aradel Holdings CEO Adegbite Falade, underscoring the significance of the historic leadership transition.
