Historic Win: Elohor Aiboni Breaks Barriers as Shell's First Nigerian Woman Country Chair

Shell Plc has announced the historic appointment of Elohor Aiboni as its Executive Vice President and Country Chair for Nigeria, making her the first Nigerian and the first woman to hold this combined position in the company's over six decades of operation in the country. This significant appointment will take effect on August 1, 2026. Aiboni will succeed Marno de Jong, who is stepping down after more than six years leading Shell's Nigerian operations and a distinguished 34-year career with the energy giant.

Aiboni's career journey within Shell spans more than two decades, demonstrating extensive experience across various facets of the company. She brings over 24 years of expertise from Shell's Nigerian offshore, shallow-water, and onshore businesses, complemented by international assignments in Kazakhstan and Brunei. Notably, she became the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) in 2021, a role in which she was also the first woman to serve. During her tenure at SNEPCo, she led the company to the landmark achievement of producing the one billionth barrel of oil from the Bonga field in 2023. More recently, in 2024, she moved to Brunei, where she has been responsible for overseeing asset performance, production, and project delivery.

Reflecting on her new role, Aiboni expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "I’m excited about the opportunity to continue contributing to the efficient delivery of Shell’s business in Nigeria and thereby power progress in a country where we have been present for more than 60 years." She also acknowledged her predecessor, adding, "Marno has led with his heart over the past six years, sustaining operations and breaking new ground in project delivery and growth. It is a legacy I am keen to build on with the support of colleagues and other stakeholders."

Marno de Jong, for his part, conveyed his gratitude and confidence in Aiboni's leadership. He stated, "I’m grateful for the support I have enjoyed since my time in Nigeria which has enabled us to achieve progress on many fronts. I leave with fond memories of warm friendships and strong support from colleagues in Shell and our partners." De Jong further affirmed his belief that Shell's operations in Nigeria will continue to deliver value and growth under Elohor’s leadership, citing her strong credentials, and extended his best wishes to Shell Nigeria.