NESG appoints Chevron Nigeria Chairman to board

By Firdaus Jibril

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has appointed Mr. Jim Swartz, Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria/Mid-Africa, as a Director on its Board.

The NESG stated that the appointment is part of its efforts to strengthen leadership with seasoned professionals whose expertise can advance its mission of promoting sustainable economic development, inclusive growth, and private-sector-driven transformation in Nigeria.

Based in Lagos, Swartz assumed his current role in 2024 and provides executive leadership for Chevron Nigeria Limited and its affiliates across Nigeria and the broader Mid-Africa region, including Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Benin, Togo, and Ghana.

In this capacity, he oversees asset strategy and performance, operational execution, stakeholder engagement, government relations, and operational excellence across the region.

Swartz brings more than 36 years of experience with Chevron, having held technical, operational, and executive leadership roles across Africa and the United States, including postings in Louisiana, Angola, California, and Texas. His background spans upstream operations, asset development, capital projects, commercial strategy, and organizational leadership.

Before his present posting, Swartz served as Vice President of Capital Projects at the Chevron Technical Center in Houston, where he was responsible for developing technical and organizational capabilities to support Chevron’s global project portfolio.

He also previously served as Director of Chevron’s Deepwater Asset Class and General Manager of Asset Development for the Gulf of Mexico Business Unit.

Swartz earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology with Distinction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1988, followed by a Master of Science in Geology from the University of Oklahoma in 1990.

According to the NESG, his appointment adds substantial expertise in executive leadership, upstream and midstream operations, stakeholder engagement, commercial strategy, asset development, and joint-venture governance to the Board.

The Group noted that his experience leading energy operations across Nigeria and Mid-Africa will significantly enrich its policy discussions, particularly regarding energy, investment, infrastructure, productivity, competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth.

Dr. Tayo Aduloju, Chief Executive Officer of the NESG, expressed confidence that Swartz’s international and regional track record, coupled with his deep understanding of Nigeria’s energy sector and investment climate, will bolster the Group’s commitment to evidence-based policy advocacy and economic reform.