By Adedapo Adesanya

Global energy major, Shell, has appointed former Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SN EPCo), Mrs Elohor Aiboni, as Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria.

The appointment makes her the first Nigerian and first woman to hold the combined position in the company’s more than six decades of operations in the country.

The appointment takes effect from August 1, 2026.

Mrs Aiboni succeeds outgoing Executive Vice President and Country Chair Nigeria, Mr Marno de Jong, who is leaving Shell after a distinguished 34-year career with the company.

Mrs Aiboni brings a rare blend of operational, technical and international leadership experience gained across Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Brunei.

With over 24 years in the Shell Group, she has built an impressive record across the company’s offshore, shallow-water and onshore operations.

In 2021, she made history as the first female Managing Director of SNEPCo, Shell’s deepwater subsidiary in Nigeria, becoming the first woman to lead a Shell exploration company in Nigeria.

Under her leadership, the flagship Bonga deepwater asset achieved the landmark production of its one-billionth barrel of oil in 2023 while maintaining strong operational performance.

She later moved to Brunei Shell Petroleum in 2024 as Asset Director, where she has been responsible for asset performance, production delivery and project execution.

Announcing the transition, Mr Marno de Jong expressed confidence in his successor’s ability to build on recent gains, noting that, “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 role.”

Mr De Jong, who joined Shell in 1992, led the company’s Nigerian operations through a period of significant transformation, overseeing strong performance at the Bonga asset and helping advance key investment decisions, including the HI gas project and the Bonga North development.

On her part, Mrs Aiboni pledged to build on the foundation laid by her predecessor.

“I’m excited about 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,” she said.

Mrs Aiboni’s appointment further reinforces the growing influence of Nigerian professionals in the global energy industry and represents a major milestone for diversity and local leadership within Shell’s worldwide operations.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The United Kingdom Government has announced the appointment of Mr Peter Vowles as the next British High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, succeeding Mr Richard Montgomery. The new envoy is expected to take up his post in Abuja in September 2026.

Mr Montgomery, who was appointed to the post in March 2023, will remain in post until that time, a statement on Tuesday said.

Mr Vowles brings extensive diplomatic and development experience to the role, having served as His Majesty’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe from 2023 to 2026 and previously as Ambassador to Myanmar from 2021 to 2022.

He has held senior leadership positions across the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and its predecessor, the Department for International Development (DFID), including as Transformation Director and Director for Asia, Caribbean and Overseas Territories.

Earlier in his career, Mr Vowles worked in international development across South Asia, Central Africa and East Africa, including postings in Bangladesh, India, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya. He began his career in Zimbabwe, where he worked in education and development.

Speaking on his appointment, Mr Vowles said, “I am honoured to be appointed as British High Commissioner to Nigeria. Nigeria is a country of immense importance to the United Kingdom, and I look forward to working closely with Nigerian partners to strengthen our relationship across trade, development and security.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

The founder and chief executive of SereniMind, Mr Ridwan Oyenuga, has been appointed to the World Citizen Peace West Africa Advisory Council, a regional advisory body of the World Citizen Peace Ambassador Centre dedicated to advancing peacebuilding, leadership, sustainable development, and regional cooperation across West Africa. 

The appointment recognises Mr Oyenuga’s contributions to mental health innovation, youth development, entrepreneurship, and public sector collaboration across Africa. 

He has championed innovative approaches to mental health advocacy and access across Africa. Beyond directly impacting more than 300,000 individuals through SereniMind’s services and programs, he spearheaded the Africa Wellness Voices Initiative (AWVI), a landmark pan-African campaign that generated over 100 million media impressions across 25 African countries, amplifying conversations around youth mental health and wellbeing.

Through these efforts, SereniMind has emerged as one of Africa’s most recognised youth-led mental health organisations and has earned recognition among Nigeria’s leading health technology ventures. 

In addition to his entrepreneurial work, Ridwan has served in several leadership positions focused on youth empowerment and social impact. He is a World Food Forum Youth Representative under the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), State Coordinator of the Youth Creative Consortium in Ogun State, President (Nigeria) of the African Youth Convention, and has collaborated with various governmental and international organisations on initiatives promoting innovation, youth participation, and sustainable development. 

“It is a privilege to join the World Citizen Peace West Africa Advisory Council. I look forward to contributing to initiatives that strengthen peace, leadership, collaboration, and sustainable development across West Africa while creating opportunities for young people to drive meaningful change within their communities,” he said in an emailed statement.  

The World Citizen Peace West Africa Advisory Council brings together leaders, professionals, advocates, and changemakers committed to fostering peace, civic engagement, and inclusive development throughout the region.

The appointment reflects the growing recognition of young African leaders who are leveraging innovation, entrepreneurship, and advocacy to address societal challenges and contribute to regional progress. 

Mr Oyenuga has collaborated with initiatives linked to the United Nations, the African Union, and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Youth Development, while leading the Africa Wellness Voices Initiative, which reached over 100 million people across 25 African countries. He is a member of the ForbesBLK community and a Fellow of the Harvard Aspire Leaders Program, committed to advancing innovation, mental health, and youth development across Africa.