Shell Nigeria Has New Chiefs

Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell has appointed new heads to oversee its affairs in Africa and the continent's top oil producer, Nigeria, a company statement said Thursday.

The latest changes in the leadership structure of Shell's African operations, saw Ann Pickard appointed the executive vice president for Africa, while Basil Omiyi appointed the country chairman for all Shell subsidiaries in Nigeria.

Pickard is to be based in Nigeria's largest city Lagos, succeeding Chris Finlayson, who becomes executive vice president of Shell's exploration and production business in Russia, the statement said.

Omiyi, also current managing director for the Shell Petroleum Development Co. (SPDC), the first Nigerian to occupy the post, is expected to oversee all Shell Companies in Nigeria, including Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Co., Shell Nigeria Oil Products and Shell Nigeria Gas.