After a distinguished career spanning 39 years in the oil and gas sector, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, the esteemed Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, is set to retire this month, June 2025. This significant development was officially announced by Mrs. Gladys Afam-Anadu, Communications Manager of Shell Nigeria, confirming that pre-retirement ceremonies for the Shell Nigeria Country Chair commenced on Tuesday in Abuja.

The events have drawn a diverse and prominent gathering of stakeholders from across the oil and gas industry. Attendees include high-ranking government functionaries, regulatory bodies, and chief executives from both indigenous and international oil companies, all converging to honor Okunbor's remarkable contributions. Dignitaries at the celebratory occasions have universally lauded Okunbor's pivotal role in advancing the Nigerian oil and gas industry, with particular emphasis on his efforts in Nigerian content development and his instrumental leadership in Shell's crucial investments in Deep-water and Integrated Gas projects within Nigeria.

Succeeding Okunbor in his leadership roles, Shell’s Executive Vice President for Nigeria, Mr. Marno de Jong, will assume the additional responsibilities of Country Chair Nigeria. De Jong, in his remarks, described Okunbor as a profoundly respected leader within Shell and the broader industry, whose astute counsel and invaluable insights have been instrumental. He further highlighted Okunbor’s exceptional relational skills and empathy in his interactions with a wide array of stakeholders, from local communities to industry titans, throughout his nearly four-decade career. De Jong expressed that Okunbor’s presence would be greatly missed and extended wishes for a most enjoyable retirement.

Reflecting on his extensive service, Mr. Okunbor expressed profound gratitude, stating, “It has been an honour of a lifetime serving my country on a global platform offered by Shell. The Shell values of Honesty, Integrity and Respect for people have been useful in my modest contributions.” A graduate of Business Administration from the University of Benin, Okunbor embarked on his journey with Shell in 1986. His career trajectory saw him serve in various critical capacities across multiple countries, including Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brunei, and the Netherlands.

Okunbor’s leadership prowess led him to the prestigious position of Managing Director of the defunct Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, in 2015. Prior to this, his diverse portfolio of roles included Vice President of Infrastructure and Logistics in Nigeria, Vice President of Human Resources for Sub-Saharan Africa, and Senior Advisor for Upstream International Operated Business. Beyond his direct responsibilities within Shell, Okunbor has been a significant force in the wider Nigerian energy landscape, notably serving two terms as the Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of the Lagos Chamber of Industry. His distinguished service and contributions have been widely recognized, culminating in numerous accolades, including the prestigious H.E. Dr. Alirio Parra Lifetime Achievement Award in the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry in 2022.