By Ayomide Otitoju
Former Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Elohor Aiboni, has been appointed Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria, becoming the first Nigerian to hold the combined leadership position at Shell in the country.
Aiboni succeeds Marno de Jong, who is leaving the energy company after a 34-year career to pursue other opportunities. The appointment is scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2026, according to a statement issued by Shell.
De Jong was appointed Senior Vice President Nigeria in 2020 and later assumed the additional role of Executive Vice President and Country Chair, overseeing Shell’s operations across Nigeria. During his tenure, Shell’s flagship Bonga deepwater asset maintained strong operational performance, while key projects, including the HI offshore gas project and the Bonga North development, advanced significantly.
Reflecting on his time in Nigeria, de Jong expressed appreciation for the support received from colleagues and partners, saying he was confident Shell’s operations would continue to deliver growth and value under Aiboni’s leadership.
Aiboni brings more than 24 years of experience within Shell, spanning offshore, shallow-water and onshore operations in Nigeria, as well as international assignments in Kazakhstan and Brunei. She previously made history as the first female Managing Director of SNEPCo, where she led the company’s deepwater business and associated investments. Under her leadership, the Bonga field achieved the milestone production of its one-billionth barrel of oil in 2023.
Since 2024, Aiboni has served as Asset Director at Brunei Shell Petroleum, overseeing asset performance, production and project delivery.
Commenting on her appointment, Aiboni said she was excited about the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of Shell’s business in Nigeria and build on the foundation laid by her predecessor.
She praised de Jong’s leadership over the past six years, noting that he sustained operations and drove growth through major project delivery initiatives. Aiboni added that she looked forward to working with colleagues and stakeholders to advance Shell’s operations and support economic progress in Nigeria.
