. As Shell bids farewell to Marno de Jong
By Stanley Onyeka, Lagos
A former Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), Elohor Aiboni, has assumed office, as Executive Vice President Nigeria and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, effective August 1st, 2026.
Her resumption follows the exit of de Jong, who bowed out after more than six years at the helm of Shell in Nigeria.
Shell Companies in Nigeria (SciN) last Tuesday night hosted de Jong to a rousing send forth as the outgoing Executive Vice President Nigeria and Country Chair, and to also usher in
Aiboni, who recently returned from a foreign posting to take up the role.
Stakeholders from government, the energy industry and professional bodies joined in celebrating the achievements of a senior executive who led Shell businesses in Nigeria for more than six years.
“The way Marno drives performance is admirable,” said Chief Executive Officer Shell plc, Wael Sawan in a recorded farewell message sent to the event.
He thanked him for his contributions to Shell. In another farewell felicitation, Minister of Trade, and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said the investments by Shell during his tenure aligned with the Renewed Hope agenda of the Nigerian Government.
Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Bayo Ojulari, who was represented by Executive Vice President Upstream, Udobong Ntia, commended Marno for helping to “advance the vision of positioning gas as energy for Nigerians. We look forward to the next chapter of Shell to deepen our strategic partnership,” Bayo added.
Among several milestones in Marno’s tenure are the divestment from onshore oil production which laid the foundation for a new future through Renaissance, sustained production at Bonga, resulting in the attainment of one billion barrels of oil and execution of Bonga North and HI projects.
Marno’s colleagues in Shell remembered a leader “who led from his heart.” President Upstream Peter Costello said: “He understands the technical detail. He understands the commercial choices. He understands the importance of partnership. And most importantly, he understands the value of people and relationships.”
His views were echoed by other speakers including Osagie Okunbor, who retired last year as County Chair, Shell Nigeria, Managing Director SNEPCo, Ronald Adam; Managing Director Shell Nigeria Gas, Ralph Gbobo; and General Manager Deepwater Oil, Iyke Nnoaham.
The highlight of the sendforth was the formal handover of the leadership baton from Marno to Elohor with guests applauding the emergence of the first female leader of Shell’s businesses in Nigeria. Elohor said: “The hard work starts now, and I look forward to the exciting years ahead.”
We look forward to the next chapter of Shell to deepen our strategic partnership.
In his response, Marno thanked stakeholders, including government officials, regulatory bodies, and employees of Shell for their cooperation, as well his wife Mickey de Jong, and their children for their support in “every move, every assignment and every unexpected change of plan.”
He said of his experience: “Nigeria taught me many things. It taught me patience. It taught me resilience. It taught me the importance of listening. And above all, it reinforced my belief that progress happens when people come together around a shared purpose.”
Captains of industry turned out to bid Marno farewell. They included Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigeria LNG Limited, Adeleye Falade; CEO, Midwestern Oil and Gas Company Limited, Elozino Olaniyan; Chairman and Managing Director, ExxonMobil Nigeria, Jagir Baxi; and CEO, Aradel and Chairman, Independent Petroleum Producers Group, Adegbite Falade.
Aiboni on the saddle
Aiboni is the first Nigerian to take up the combined role of Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria, bringing over 24 years’ experience within Shell across Nigeria’s offshore, shallow water and onshore businesses with international assignments in Kazakhstan and Brunei.
She became Managing Director of SNEPCo in 2021, the first female to hold the post. She led the deepwater business and associated investments in Nigeria with Bonga achieving the 1 billionth barrel of oil in 2023. She left for Brunei in 2024, where she oversees asset performance, production, and project delivery.
Commenting on her appointment, Aiboni said: “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 grounds in project delivery and growth. It’s a legacy I’m keen to build on with the support of colleagues and other stakeholders.”
