Shell has appointed former Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Elohor Aiboni as Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria.
Aiboni becomes the first Nigerian to hold the combined position, succeeding Marno de Jong, who is leaving the company after a 34-year career to pursue new opportunities.
The announcement was confirmed in a statement by Shell’s Nigeria communications office, noting that the leadership transition will take effect from August 1, 2026.
Marno de Jong has served in several senior roles within Shell since joining the company in 1992 as a project engineer. He was appointed Senior Vice President Nigeria in 2020 and later became Executive Vice President and Country Chair, overseeing all Shell operations in the country.
During his tenure, Shell said Nigeria’s flagship Bonga asset maintained strong performance, sustaining high availability above targets. He also played a key role in advancing major investment decisions, including the HI offshore gas project and the Bonga North development.
Reflecting on his exit, de Jong expressed gratitude for his experience in Nigeria and confidence in his successor.
“I’m grateful for the support I have enjoyed since my time in Nigeria… I leave with fond memories of warm friendships and strong support from colleagues in Shell and our partners,” he said.
Elohor Aiboni brings more than 24 years of experience within Shell, spanning offshore, shallow-water and onshore operations in Nigeria, alongside international assignments in Kazakhstan and Brunei.
She previously served as Managing Director of SNEPCo, becoming the first woman to hold the position in 2021, and oversaw key deepwater operations including the Bonga field, which reached its one-billionth barrel milestone in 2023. (Tribune Online)
Following her assignment in Nigeria, she worked in Brunei, where she managed asset performance, production and project delivery before returning to take up the new leadership role.
Aiboni described her appointment as an opportunity to build on Shell’s long-standing operations in Nigeria.
“I’m excited at the opportunity to continue to contribute to the efficient delivery of Shell’s business in Nigeria… Marno has led from his heart these six-plus years, sustaining operations and breaking new ground in project delivery and growth,” she said.
Industry observers note that her appointment reinforces Shell’s continued emphasis on leadership continuity and operational stability in one of its key upstream markets, where it has operated for over 60 years.
The leadership transition is expected to shape Shell Nigeria’s strategic direction at a time of ongoing investment in deepwater and gas development projects across the country.
