Shell, Oil Sector Pay Tribute as Osagie Okunbor Bows Out After 39 Years of Service
Shell Nigeria and major players in the oil and gas industry are celebrating the retirement of Osagie Okunbor, the outgoing Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, after an illustrious 39-year career.
A series of farewell events kicked off last night in Abuja, drawing attendance from government officials, industry regulators, and top executives from both indigenous and international oil firms. The ceremonies highlighted Okunbor’s enduring contributions to Nigeria’s energy sector, particularly in strengthening Nigerian content and championing Shell’s deep-water and integrated gas investments in the country.
Shell’s Executive Vice President for Nigeria, Marno de Jong, who will now assume the additional role of Country Chair, praised Okunbor for his legacy of leadership.
“Osagie is a respected leader in Shell and across the industry. His wisdom, empathy, and ability to relate with diverse stakeholders—from grassroots communities to global executives—have left a lasting impression. We will all miss his presence and wish him a fulfilling retirement,” de Jong said.
Reflecting on his journey, Okunbor described his career as a lifelong honour.
“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve Nigeria through the global platform that Shell offers. The company’s values—Honesty, Integrity, and Respect for People—have guided my efforts in making a modest contribution to the sector,” he remarked.
Okunbor, a graduate of Business Administration from the University of Benin, joined Shell in 1986. His career has spanned postings in Nigeria, the UK, Brunei, and the Netherlands. In 2015, he was appointed Managing Director of the now-defunct Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) and simultaneously served as Country Chair.
Over the years, he also held several strategic positions including Vice President, Infrastructure and Logistics in Nigeria; Vice President, Human Resources for Sub-Saharan Africa; and Senior Advisor for Upstream International Operated Business.
Beyond Shell, Okunbor made substantial contributions to Nigeria’s energy policy and corporate leadership. He served two terms as Chairman of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) under the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In 2022, he was honoured with the H.E. Dr. Alirio Parra Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his impact on the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
As Okunbor begins a new chapter, the industry bids farewell to a transformative leader whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Nigerian energy professionals
