Shell has appointed Elohor Aiboni as Executive Vice President and Country Chair for Nigeria, marking a historic leadership shift in one of the country’s most strategic energy companies. Here are six top facts about the appointment:
1. She Is the First Nigerian to Hold the Combined EVP & Country Chair Role
Aiboni’s appointment makes her the first Nigerian ever to lead Shell Nigeria in the combined role of Executive Vice President and Country Chair—a major milestone in the company’s over 60-year history in the country.
2. She Will Officially Take Over on August 1, 2026
Her leadership tenure is set to begin on August 1, 2026, following the departure of outgoing Country Chair Marno de Jong after a 34-year career with Shell.
3. She Has Over 24 Years of Experience in Shell
Aiboni brings more than two decades of experience across Shell’s global operations, including offshore, shallow-water, deepwater, and onshore assets, as well as international assignments in Kazakhstan and Brunei.
4. She Is a Former Head of Shell Nigeria’s Deepwater Business (SNEPCo)
In 2021, she became the first female Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), where she oversaw deepwater operations and major investments in Nigeria.
5. She Oversaw the Historic 1-Billion-Barrel Milestone at Bonga
Under her leadership, the Bonga Field achieved a landmark production milestone of 1 billion barrels of oil in 2023, cementing its role as one of Nigeria’s most important deepwater assets.
6. She Is a Chemical Engineering Graduate from UNIBEN
Aiboni studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Benin and joined Shell in 2002 as a Production Operations Supervisor at the Imo River fields, steadily rising through technical and leadership roles.
