Godswill Akpabio Biography: Early Life, Career, Controversy, Wife, Children & Net Worth
Godswill Akpabio GCON (born December 9, 1962) is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who has been serving as the 15th President of the Nigerian Senate since 2023. He was first elected as Senator representing the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District in 2015, lost in the 2019 senatorial elections, and won in the 2023 elections.
He also served as Minister for Niger Delta Affairs from 2019 until 2022, when he resigned to run for re-election to the Nigerian Senate. He previously served as Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015.
Godswill Akpabio Biography
Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio is the son of Chief Obot Akpabio and Madam Lucy Akpabio from Ukana, Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim Local Government Area. He was born on December 9, 1962. He lost his father at a young age and was raised by his mother.
Akpabio attended Methodist Primary School, Ukana, Essien Udim LGA, Akwa Ibom State; Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; and the University of Calabar, Cross River State, where he earned a law degree.
He served as Senior Prefect at the Federal Government College in Port Harcourt. Akpabio was elected Speaker of the Student Union Government (SUG) at the University of Calabar for the 1987/88 parliamentary year.
Career
Akpabio worked briefly as a teacher before becoming an associate partner at Paul Usoro and Co., a well-known Nigerian law firm. He eventually worked for EMIS Telecoms Limited, a wireless telecommunications business headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.
By 2002, he had been appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Before this, he was the National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Telecommunications Companies in Nigeria (ATCOM) and a director of EMIS.
In 2002, then-Governor Obong Victor Attah named him Honourable Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources in Akwa Ibom state. Between 2002 and 2006, he was a Commissioner in three critical ministries: Petroleum and Natural Resources, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Lands and Housing.
In 2006, he ran for governor of Akwa Ibom State in a contested primary election, defeating 57 other candidates to become the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate. His campaign with the slogan “let God’s will be done” received widespread support, and he was elected Governor in 2007. In 2011, he was re-elected to his second term as Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
In 2013, he was voted chair of the newly created PDP Governors Forum. In 2015, he ran for and won the Senate seat of the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District (Ikot Ekpene), representing the district in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Running on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), he received 422,009 votes out of 439,449 to defeat Chief Inibehe Okorie of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who received 15,152 votes and was declared elected by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The South-South caucus of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) nominated Akpabio for the position of Senate Minority Leader, which was accepted by the PDP caucus in the Senate and announced by the Senate President on July 28, 2015. In the 2015 general elections, the PDP lost its majority to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He resigned as Senate Minority Leader in August 2018, after announcing his defection to the All Progressives Congress. His defection was commemorated at a political rally in his hometown, Ikot Ekpene township stadium, Akwa Ibom State.
In July 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari nominated him for a ministerial position, which the Nigerian Senate then screened. On August 21, 2019, he took office as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
Akpabio resigned as minister for Niger Delta Affairs in June 2022 to run in the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries, but stepped aside on the night of the primaries in favour of the eventual winner, Bola Tinubu.
A few days after the presidential primaries, he was named the Senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District. However, it was riddled with charges of foul play from the party’s stakeholders in the state.
He went on to defeat his nearest rival, Emmanuel Enoidem of the Peoples Democratic Party, in the 2023 general elections, winning 115,401 votes to Enoidem’s 69,838.
On June 13, 2023, he was elected President of the Senate of Nigeria with 63 votes, defeating Senator Abdulaziz Yari, a former Zamfara State Governor, who received 46 votes.
Controversy
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was investigating Godswill Akpabio on charges that he syphoned over 100 billion Naira from Akwa Ibom State while governor (2007-2015), with American authorities calling the amount of corruption “exceptional” during his tenure.
However, no charges have been brought. The police later charged Leo Ekpenyong, a lawyer who had previously accused Akpabio of corruption, with defamation. Members of the House of Representatives summoned Akpabio in May 2020, accusing him of embezzling 40 billion Naira.
Godswill Akpabio Wife
Ekaette Akpabio was born on June 9, 1971, to the late Godwin and Beatrice Nkemdilim Ejike in Ozom Aguobu-Owa, Ezeagu Local Government Area, Enugu State.
Through her marriage to former Governor Godswill Akpabio, she became a citizen of Akwa Ibom State and has had a significant effect there. She earned a degree in mathematics from Abia State University in Uturu.
As a devout Catholic, she is deeply committed to humanitarianism and community service.
Godswill Akpabio Children
The couple has five children, including four daughters and one son. Despite their father’s high-profile prominence, Akpabio’s children have kept a relatively secluded life, concentrating on education and jobs.
The eldest daughter, Unwana Akpabio, attended higher studies abroad and earned degrees in business administration and management. The second daughter, Emem Akpabio, decided to pursue a profession in law.
She attended top law schools in Nigeria and overseas, eventually getting an LLB from a famous university in the UK. After finishing her legal education at the Nigerian Law School, she was admitted to the Nigerian Bar, launching a bright legal career.
Nsentip Akpabio, the third daughter, is enthusiastic about the creative arts, particularly fashion and design. She studied fashion design at a prestigious international school and specialises in African-inspired clothing that combines Nigerian culture with contemporary designs. Imaobong Akpabio, the fourth daughter, earned a degree in International Relations and Diplomacy.
With a strong interest in global governance and foreign policy, she specialises in African politics, international development, and peacebuilding. Her schooling has given her a solid basis in world issues.
Godswill Akpabio Net Worth
Godswill Akpabio’s net worth is predicted to be approximately $100 million by 2023, making him one of Nigeria’s wealthiest politicians. Some sources believe his net worth could be as high as $1.3 billion, this figure is less frequently mentioned. Akpabio’s wealth stems primarily from his political career and business pursuits.
Social Media
X: @SenGodswill
