Shell Appoints Elohor Aiboni As EVP, Country Chair Nigeria

Shell has appointed Elohor Aiboni as Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria, making her the first Nigerian to take up the combined role.

THISDAY reported that the appointment takes effect on August 1, 2026. Aiboni will take over from Marno de Jong, who is leaving Shell after a 34-year career.

The announcement was attributed to Gladys Afam-Anadu, Shell’s Country Communications Manager in Nigeria. Aiboni is a former Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited and is currently on assignment as Asset Director at Brunei Shell Petroleum.

Energy Focus Report also confirmed the appointment and said Aiboni would lead Shell’s Nigerian business as EVP and Country Chair. The report described her as a Shell executive with more than 24 years of experience across offshore, shallow-water and onshore operations.

Aiboni became SNEPCo Managing Director in 2021, becoming the first woman to hold that position. During her time in the role, Bonga reached its one-billionth barrel of oil in 2023, according to THISDAY’s report.

She has also held international assignments in Kazakhstan and Brunei. The appointment places a Nigerian executive at the top of Shell’s country leadership structure at a time when energy companies are adjusting their operations and investment plans in Nigeria.

The change also marks the end of de Jong’s leadership stint in Nigeria, after he served as Senior Vice President Nigeria in 2020 before later becoming Executive Vice President and Country Chair.

Sources: THISDAY, Energy Focus Report.