Shell’s Osagie Okunbor retires after 39 years of service

Mr. Osagie Okunbor, the Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, is retiring this month after a distinguished 39-year career with the energy giant.

His exit was confirmed on Wednesday by Shell’s Communications Manager, Mrs. Gladys Afam-Anadu, who noted that a pre-retirement event began Tuesday in Abuja.

The gathering drew industry stakeholders, including government officials, regulators, and executives from both local and international oil companies, all of whom praised Okunbor’s lasting impact on Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

She noted that this was particularly with regards to the development of the oil and gas industry in the country especially Nigerian content as well as his key roles in Shell’s investments in Deep-water and Integrated Gas in the nation.

Mr Marno de Jong, Executive Vice President, Nigeria, in his remarks described Osagie as a respected leader in Shell and the broader industry whose wise counsel and insights have proved invaluable.

According to him, over a career that has lasted nearly 40 years, Okunbor has related with a wide range of stakeholders from communities to industry leaders with empathy and excellent relational skills.

”We will all miss his presence, and we wish him a most enjoyable retirement.”

Okunbor in in his remarks said it had been an honour of a lifetime serving Nigeria on a global platform offered by Shell.

‘According to him, Shell values of honesty, integrity and respect for people have been useful in my modest contributions.

A graduate of the University of Benin, Okunbor joined Shell in 1986 and has served in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brunei and the Netherlands.

He became Managing Director of the defunct Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria in 2015.

His previous roles include Vice President, Infrastructure and Logistics, Nigeria, Vice President Human Resources, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Senior Advisor, Upstream International Operated Business.

Okunbor has also been a key player in the Nigerian energy industry, serving as two-term Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of the Lagos Chamber of Industry.

He received the Dr Alirio Parra Lifetime Achievement Award in the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry in 2022, among several other honours.

Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that Jong will take on the additional responsibilities of Country Chair, Shell Companies Nigeria.