Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN) has bid farewell to its outgoing Executive Vice President, Nigeria and Country Chair, Marno de Jong, following more than six years of leadership, while announcing the assumption of office by Elohor Aiboni as his successor.
The development is contained in a statement on Friday by the Communications Manager, Gladys Afam-Anadu.
According to the statement, stakeholders from government, the oil and gas industry and professional bodies gathered in Lagos to honour de Jong’s contributions and celebrate the transition to Aiboni, the first woman to lead Shell’s businesses in Nigeria.
The statement quoted Chief Executive Officer of Shell plc, Wael Sawan, as commending de Jong’s leadership, describing his ability to drive performance as admirable while thanking him for his contributions to the company.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, said Shell’s investments during de Jong’s tenure aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The statement also quoted Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), Bayo Ojulari, represented by Executive Vice President, Upstream, Udobong Ntia, as praising de Jong’s role in advancing Nigeria’s gas development agenda.
Among the milestones recorded during de Jong’s tenure were the divestment of Shell’s onshore oil assets through Renaissance, sustained production at the Bonga field, attainment of one billion barrels of oil production, and execution of the Bonga North and HI projects.
Shell’s President, Upstream, Peter Costello, described de Jong as a leader who combined technical expertise, commercial insight and a strong commitment to partnerships and people.
Other Shell executives, including former Country Chair Osagie Okunbor, Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited, Ronald Adams, Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas, Ralph Gbobo, and General Manager, Deepwater Oil, Iyke Nnoaham, also paid tribute to him.
The statement said the event’s highlight was the formal handover of leadership to Aiboni, marking a new chapter for Shell’s operations in Nigeria.
Speaking after assuming office, Aiboni said the work begins immediately, expressing optimism about the years ahead.
In his farewell remarks, de Jong thanked government officials, regulators, Shell employees and his family for their support throughout his assignment in Nigeria.
He said his experience in Nigeria taught him patience, resilience and the value of listening, adding that lasting progress is achieved through collaboration and shared purpose.
The ceremony attracted prominent industry leaders, including Nigeria LNG Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Adeleye Falade, Midwestern Oil and Gas Chief Executive Officer Elozino Olaniyan, ExxonMobil Nigeria Chairman and Managing Director Jagir Baxi, and Aradel Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Producers Group, Adegbite Falade.