By Benson Daniel
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, has appointed Jim Swartz, Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria and Mid Africa, as a Director on its Board, strengthening the organisation’s leadership with additional expertise from the energy and investment sector.
The appointment, announced on August 20, 2026, is part of the NESG’s efforts to strengthen its leadership with experienced professionals who can contribute to policy discussions and initiatives focused on sustainable economic development, inclusive growth and private sector driven transformation in Nigeria.
Swartz assumed his current position at Chevron in 2024 and provides executive leadership for Chevron Nigeria Limited and its affiliates across Nigeria and the wider Mid Africa region, including Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Benin, Togo and Ghana.
In the role, he oversees areas including asset strategy and performance, operational execution, stakeholder engagement, government relations and operational excellence across several countries.
He brings more than 36 years of experience with Chevron, having occupied technical, operational and executive leadership positions in Africa and the United States.
His professional experience covers upstream operations, asset development, major capital projects, commercial strategy and organisational leadership, areas considered important to Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to attract investment and strengthen productivity.
Before becoming Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria and Mid Africa, Swartz served as Vice President of Capital Projects at Chevron’s Technical Center in Houston, where he was responsible for strengthening technical and organisational capabilities supporting the company’s global project portfolio.
He also previously served as Director of Chevron’s Deepwater Asset Class and General Manager of Asset Development for the company’s Gulf of America Business Unit.
Swartz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and a Master of Science degree in Geology from the University of Oklahoma.
The NESG said his experience managing complex energy operations and working with governments, investors and other stakeholders across Nigeria and the wider region would strengthen its policy dialogue.
His appointment is expected to contribute particularly to discussions around energy, investment, infrastructure, productivity, competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.
The energy sector remains central to Nigeria’s economic development, with the country seeking to increase oil and gas production, attract new capital, improve infrastructure and expand domestic energy utilisation.
Swartz’s experience in managing large scale energy assets and capital projects could therefore provide additional industry perspectives to the NESG as it engages policymakers and private sector stakeholders on economic reforms.
The appointment also comes as the NESG prepares for its 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, where issues including jobs, productivity and shared prosperity are expected to feature prominently in discussions on Nigeria’s economic future.
The Group has continued to expand its engagement with business leaders and other professionals as part of its broader mandate to promote evidence based policy advocacy and economic reforms.
For the private sector, stronger representation of experienced energy executives within policy platforms could help improve discussions around investment barriers, infrastructure development and the regulatory environment.
The NESG said it was confident that Swartz’s international and regional experience, combined with his understanding of Nigeria’s energy and investment landscape, would support its efforts to advance reforms capable of improving the competitiveness of the Nigerian economy.
The appointment consequently adds another senior industry voice to the NESG Board at a time when Nigeria is seeking to deepen private sector participation, attract investment and translate economic reforms into stronger productivity and sustainable growth.
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