Global energy giant Shell has appointed Elohor Aiboni as its new Executive Vice President and Country Chair for Nigeria, making her the first Nigerian and the first woman to hold the combined leadership position in the company’s more than 60 years of operations in the country.
The appointment, announced by Shell on June 17, 2026, will take effect on August 1, 2026. Aiboni will succeed outgoing Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria, Marno de Jong, who is set to leave the company after a distinguished career spanning more than three decades.
Aiboni is no stranger to breaking barriers within the energy industry. In 2021, she became the first woman to serve as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Shell’s deep-water exploration and production subsidiary in Nigeria. Her appointment at the time marked another historic milestone in the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
With more than 24 years of experience in the Shell Group, Aiboni has built an impressive career across offshore, onshore and shallow-water operations in Nigeria. She has also held international assignments in Kazakhstan and Brunei, gaining extensive technical, operational and leadership expertise.
Before her latest appointment, Aiboni was serving as Asset Director at Brunei Shell Petroleum. She had previously led SNEPCo, where she oversaw some of Nigeria’s most strategic deep-water oil assets. During her tenure, the Bonga field achieved the milestone of producing its one-billionth barrel of crude oil, while several key offshore investment projects were advanced.
Shell said Aiboni’s wealth of experience and proven leadership record position her to guide the company through its next phase of operations in Nigeria, particularly as the firm continues to focus on deep-water exploration and liquefied natural gas investments following the divestment of some of its onshore assets.
Industry observers have described the appointment as a significant achievement for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, highlighting Aiboni’s rise as an inspiration for women seeking leadership roles in the energy industry. Her elevation to the top position underscores the growing recognition of Nigerian professionals in global energy leadership and marks a new chapter for Shell’s operations in the country.
Aiboni’s appointment is widely seen as a landmark moment, not only for Shell Nigeria but also for gender representation and local leadership within the multinational energy sector.
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