Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (CON) is a Nigerian lawyer, politician, and the current FCT Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
He was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on August 16, 2023, to steer the ship of the Federal Capital Territory. Prior to this position, Nyesom Wike was the immediate past Governor of Rivers State.
Personal Life
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike was born on 13th December 1967 as a son to Reverend Nlemanya Wike. He is a native of the Ikwerre tribe and hails from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State.
Wike is married to Eberechi Suzzette Obuzor Wike and they are blessed with three children — Jazmyne, Joaquin, and Jordan. His wife hails from Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State and is a judge of the Rivers State High Court of Justice. She also studied Law at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology and was classmates with Nyesom Wike. Their love story began while in the University and they kicked off a romantic relationship.
Nyesom Wike is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party. His Zodiac sign is Sagittarius.
Educational Background
Nyesom Wike attended Government Secondary School, Eneka in Obiakpor, Rivers State for his secondary education and later sat for his O’level exams in the same school.
He then proceeded to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUT) where he studied Law. Some years later, he bagged a Bachelor of Laws degree from RSUT and went on to Law School in 1997. Wike also bagged a Master of Arts degree in Political and Administrative Studies from RSUT.
Before his eventual foray into politics, Wike worked briefly in private law practice.
Political Career & History
From being an LGA Chairman to FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has had a longstanding political career since the return of democracy in 1999.
Here’s a rundown of his political career.
Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area
Date Period: 1999–2007
Wike began his political career as the Executive Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State. He held this position from 1999 and was re-elected in 2003. Wike served two terms as the Executive Chairman from 1999 to 2007.
Chief of Staff to the Governor of Rivers State
Date Period: 2007–2011
After acting as the Executive Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Area, Nyesom Wike was appointed as the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi in 2007. He served in this position till 2011.
Minister of Education (State)
Date Period: 14 July 2011 – April 2014
In July 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Nyesom Wike as the Minister of State for Education. During this period, he worked alongside Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa’i who was the Minister of Education.
After two years, Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa’i was sacked Wike was appointed as the Acting Minister of Education.
Minister of Education
Date Period: 11 September 2013 – April 2014
In September 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan promoted Wike to the position of Federal Minister of Education.
He held this position for 8 months and resigned before finishing his term to contest for the Governor of Rivers State. He was succeeded as Education Minister by Ibrahim Shekarau.
6th Governor of Rivers State
Date Period: 29 May 2015 – 29 May 2023
In 2014, Wike stepped down as Federal Minister of Education to contest the 2015 governorship elections in his home state.
After clinching the ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) by winning the primaries, he picked Ipalibo Banigo, former Secretary to the Rivers State Government as his running mate.
In the governorship elections of 11 April 2015, Nyesom Wike of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) defeated Dakuku Peterside of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to emerge as governor. He was re-elected in 2019 and held this position till May 2023.
In May 2023, Siminalayi Fubara succeeded Wike as Rivers State Governor.
Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
Date Period: 21 August 2023 – Date
On 27 July 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominated Nyesom Ezenwo Wike alongside twenty-seven (27) others as Federal Ministers of Nigeria. After his screening and approval by the Nigerian Senate, Nyesom Wike was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the new FCT Minister on 16 August 2023.
Wike took over from Muhammed Musa Bello (his predecessor) and works alongside Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure who is the Minister of State for FCT.
Nyesom Wike’s Awards & Achievements
Nyesom Wike has received several accolades for his work as an astute political administrator. He has made significant contributions to the development of various government systems in which he served.
During his tenure as the Minister of State for Education, Wike made a remarkable transformation of the country’s basic education sub-sector. He notably achieved the following:
- Enabled access to quality education for about 9M Almajiri children in Northern Nigeria.
- Pushed for the construction of dedicated schools in affected states.
- Constructed basic education vocational training schools for out-of-school children in Southern Nigeria.
- Constructed Special Girl-Education Schools for less privileged girls in 16 states of the country.
- Championed the free distribution of books across the nation.
- Distributed 60M textbooks and library resource materials since 2011.
For his work as the Rivers State Governor, he was honored with the Governor of the Year Award (2017) by The Sun Newspapers in 2008. He also received the Nigeria National Award of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
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