Shell has appointed Elohor Aiboni as Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria, succeeding Marno de Jong, who is leaving the company after more than six years leading Shell’s operations in Nigeria and a distinguished 34-year career with the energy giant.
Aiboni, the former Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), currently serves as Asset Director at Brunei Shell Petroleum. Her appointment takes effect on August 1, 2026.
Marno de Jong, who joined Shell in 1992 as a Project Engineer, was appointed Senior Vice President Nigeria in 2020 and subsequently assumed the combined role of Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria. During his tenure, he oversaw Shell’s diverse operations in the country and played a pivotal role in strengthening the company’s position in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Over a career spanning more than three decades, de Jong held leadership positions across Project Delivery, Engineering, Commercial and Upstream Development functions in the United Kingdom, Venezuela, Nigeria, Australia, the United States, the Netherlands, Malaysia and Indonesia.
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His leadership in Nigeria was marked by strong operational performance, particularly at the flagship Bonga deepwater asset, which consistently exceeded availability targets. He also spearheaded key investment initiatives, including the HI offshore gas project and the Bonga North development, both of which are expected to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s future energy production.
Reflecting on his time in the country, de Jong expressed appreciation for the support he received from colleagues and partners.
“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. I’m confident that Shell operations in Nigeria will continue to deliver value and growth under Elohor, given the strong leadership credentials she brings to the roles, and I wish Shell Nigeria every success,” he said.
Aiboni makes history as the first Nigerian to hold the combined position of Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria. She brings more than 24 years of experience within Shell, having worked across the company’s offshore, shallow-water and onshore businesses in Nigeria, as well as international assignments in Kazakhstan and Brunei.
In 2021, she became the first woman to be appointed Managing Director of SNEPCo, where she led Shell’s deepwater operations and investment portfolio in Nigeria. Under her leadership, the Bonga field achieved the milestone of producing its one-billionth barrel of oil in 2023. She later moved to Brunei in 2024 as Asset Director, overseeing production performance, asset integrity and project delivery.
Speaking on her new role, Aiboni said she was honoured to lead Shell’s business in one of its most strategic markets.
“I’m excited at the opportunity to continue to contribute to the efficient delivery of Shell’s business in Nigeria and thereby power progress in a country we’ve been part of for more than 60 years. Marno has led from his heart these six-plus years, sustaining operations and breaking new ground in project delivery and growth. It’s a legacy I’m keen to build on with the support of colleagues and other stakeholders.”
Her appointment comes at a significant time for Shell in Nigeria, as the company advances major offshore developments and gas projects aimed at supporting energy security, economic growth and long-term value creation.
With Aiboni taking the helm, Shell is set to continue its focus on operational excellence, investment growth and strengthening its partnership with Nigeria’s energy industry stakeholders.
