ExxonMobil has announced the appointment of Jagir Baxi as the new Chairman, Managing Director, and Lead Country Manager of its Nigerian affiliates, including Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited.
Baxi succeeds Shane Harris and brings extensive experience and leadership to the role, where he will oversee ExxonMobil’s operations in Nigeria.
“I am honoured to lead our exceptional Nigeria team and build on the work that Shane Harris has done over the past two years,” Baxi said. “My personal commitment is to sustain and grow the strong collaborative relationships we have built with the Nigerian government, NNPCL, venture partners, various contractors, and the communities in which we operate.”
He also highlighted Nigeria’s potential in offshore deepwater oil and gas development, stating: “Nigeria has significant offshore deepwater growth potential in oil and gas. When combined with the improving investment climate, inherent advantages of already existing deepwater assets at Erha and Usan, and the remarkable talent of this country, I feel very privileged to be a part of the ExxonMobil team that is working hard to deploy our global deepwater capabilities and strengths to support Nigeria in achieving its oil and gas industry aspirations.”
Before his new role, Baxi served as Executive Director for Production across ExxonMobil’s Nigerian affiliates. He joined the company in 1999 and has held key leadership positions in deepwater and LNG operations, joint venture management, commercial strategy, engineering, and new project start-ups. His career has spanned multiple countries, including Australia, Angola, Iraq, Qatar, Papua New Guinea, and the U.S.
Baxi, an Australian national, holds graduate degrees in Engineering and Science from Monash University, Australia, and a Master of Business Administration from Melbourne Business School, Australia.
His appointment comes as ExxonMobil continues to strengthen its operations in Nigeria’s energy sector, leveraging its global expertise to support the country’s oil and gas ambitions.
