Nyesom Wike Biography: Early Life, Career, Controversy, Wife, Children & Net Worth

Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON (born December 13, 1967) is a Nigerian politician and lawyer who has been the minister of the Federal Capital Territory since 2023. He previously served as Governor of Rivers State from 2015 until 2023. Wike served as the Obio Akpor Local Government Area’s Executive Chairman for two terms, from 1999 to 2007.

He was appointed Minister of State for Education on July 14, 2011. Wike was then appointed Acting Minister of Education after Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa’i was removed, but resigned before the end of his term to run for governor of Rivers State.

He was succeeded by Viola Onwuliri. In 2014, he won the Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party primaries and nominated former State Government Secretary Ipalibo Banigo as his running mate for deputy governor.

Wike was elected governor after defeating Dakuku Peterside of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Tonye Princewill of the Labour Party in the gubernatorial elections held on April 11. President Bola Tinubu named Wike as Minister of the FCT on August 16, 2023, following his nomination, screening, and ratification by the Senate.

Nyesom Wike Biography

Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was born on December 13, 1967, in Rumuepirikom, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. His father, Reverend Nlemanya Wike, was a preacher, implying that he grew up in a pious and disciplined environment. As an Ikwerre son, the Rivers State native had a strong connection to his town.

Nyesom Wike Education

Wike attended Government Secondary School Eneka in Obiakpor, Rivers State, where he took O-level exams before enrolling at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUT). He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from RSUT before enrolling in Law School in 1997.

Wike earned a Master of Arts degree in Political and Administrative Studies from RSUT. Wike received an honorary doctorate in law from the University of Calabar during the 37th convocation ceremony in March 2025.

Career

Wike was the Executive Chairman of the Obio Akpor Local Government Area for two terms, from 1999 to 2007. President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him Minister of State for Education in July 2011.

When Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa’i was removed, Wike was named acting Minister of Education, but he could not complete his term because he was campaigning for governor of Rivers state. Viola Onwuliri was called in to take his position.

In the 11 April gubernatorial elections, Wike defeated Dakuku Peterside of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Tonye Princewill of the Labour Party to become governor.

Following a temporary halt, INEC proclaimed Nyesom Wike the winner of the Rivers State governorship elections on Wednesday, April 3, 2019. On May 29, 2019, he took the oath of office at Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, thus beginning his second term.

During his speech, he promised to prioritise Rivers state. Wike announced in March 2022 that he would run for president of Nigeria on the PDP platform ahead of the 2023 general election, but he was defeated in the People’s Democratic Party presidential election primary held at the MKO ABIOLA National Stadium in Abuja on May 28 and 29, 2022, with 371 votes to 237 votes for Wike, who finished first runner-up.

He was nominated, screened, and confirmed by the Senate before being appointed by President Bola Tinubu as Minister of the FCT on August 16, 2023. Nyesom Wike was one of 27 ministerial nominees submitted to the 10th Nigerian Senate by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on July 27, 2023.

Wike told the Senate on July 31, 2023, that President Tinubu would not have regretted appointing him as a minister in his government.

Controversies

After disagreeing with his party’s nominee (PDP) (Atiku) in the 2023 presidential election, Wike was appointed Minister of the Fct by Tinubu’s administration (APC).

During his tenure as governor of Rivers State and as FCT minister, Wike enforced the lawful payment of ground rent in the FCT, frequently contending with individuals and institutions that refused to comply with the law.

This frequently required the sealing of residential structures and office complexes. There were claims that two hotels in Rivers were razed on Wike’s orders for allegedly violating the COVID lockdown.

Wike also has a running dispute with his pupil and successor, Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, which has involved insults, lawsuits, and even a halt in all federal payments to Rivers at Wike’s request.

Nyesom Wike Wife

Governor Wike is happily married to Eberechi Suzzette Wike, and they have three children. The couple married in 1999 and have been together for over two decades without any big controversies or scandals.

According to some publications, the duo is “Nigeria’s most romantic political couple”. They are constantly seen openly expressing their love and admiration. Wike has been caught on multiple occasions snatching a kiss from his wife in public.

Nyesom Wike Children

Governor Wike is the father of three children: two boys and one girl. The children’s names are Jordan Wike, Joaquin Wike, and Jazmyne Wike.

There is little information on Wike’s children at this moment because their parents have opted to keep personal data about them out of the public eye.

Nyesom Wike Net Worth

Nyesom Wike’s net worth is predicted to reach around $550 million by 2025. This richness is linked to his successful political career, which includes his time as Governor of Rivers State and his present position as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

His investments in infrastructure, real estate, and agricultural enterprises have greatly aided his financial success.

Social Media

X: @GovWike