Wikipídiya iglwiki https://igl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogb%C3%A1_ogbolo MediaWiki 1.46.0-wmf.24 first-letter Áméwn igò Egwéyí Úkọ̀lá Énéagwu Úkọ̀lá énéagwu Wikipídiya Úkọ̀lá Wikipídiya Fáílú Úkọ̀lá fáílú MediaWiki Úkọ̀lá MediaWiki Éwn malábó Úkọ̀lá éwn malábó Abune Úkọ̀lá abune Gbúgbe Úkọ̀lá gbúgbe TimedText TimedText talk Module Module talk Event Event talk Oby Ezekwesili 0 1973 40188 40004 2026-04-16T04:24:02Z Anniwinner 897 #IGL #FNFIGL 40188 wikitext text/x-wiki {{Short description|Nigerian accountant and politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili | image = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, 2009 World Economic Forum on Africa.jpg | office1 = Federal Minister of Solid Minerals, Nigeria | term_start1 = June 2005 | term_end1 = June 2006 | predecessor1 = [[Odion Ugbesia]] | successor1 = [[Leslye Obiora]] | office2 = Federal Minister of Education, Nigeria | term_start2 = June 2006 | term_end2 = April 2007 | predecessor2 = [[Chinwe Obaji]] | successor2 = [[Abba Sayyadi Ruma]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|04|28}} | birth_place = [[Anambra State]], Nigeria | death_date = | death_place = | party = | spouse = Chinedu Ezekwesili | education = [[Harvard Kennedy School]]<br />[[University of Lagos]]<br />[[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]] | profession = Chartered accountant, economic policy | nationality = [[Nigerian]] | children = 3 | honorific_prefix = [[Commander of the Federal Republic|CFR]] | nickname = 'Madam Due Process' }} '''Obiageli''' "'''Oby'''" '''Ezekwesili''' {{IPAc-en||audio=LL-Q33578 (ibo)-Olugold-Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili.wav}} (Ma bi ọjọ Ogwu ny'oke mẹjọ ochu ẹlẹ ọdọ 1963) ẹnẹ Naijeriya ka ki chẹ ma [[economic policy|ọda ẹnwu ki ya nẹ ọkọ wa]] nyọnyọ, ẹnẹ ki ya j'uja ẹnwu eche fẹr'eju, ohi ẹnwu eko nyọnyọ, ọda e gw'ọnyu nyọnyọ kpai unyọgba amónẹ, [[humanitarian|ẹnẹ ki ya che ẹnwu nwu ami ọja]] ka kpai manyu onwu che ẹnẹ ki chanẹ ẹnẹ a[[ACTivists|a j'uja nwu amonẹ]]. I che [[vice president|arọne agboji]] nwu [[World Bank]] (Africa region) kw'obi, i che chanẹ [[Transparency International]] I la che onẹ ka efu abo kuma chanẹ ujọ [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|#BringBackOurGirls]] manyu i che federal [[Minister (government)|Minister]] yi [[Nigeria]] onu mejí.<ref>{{Cite journal |last= |first= |date=2024 |title=Dr. Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://nigeriareposit.nln.gov.ng/handle/20.500.14186/1049 |journal=National Library of Nigeria |language=en}}</ref> Onwu ñọ [[Organizational founder|chanẹ]] #FixPolitics Initiative, ugbo ki abo kuma ch'ọma ojanẹ a che u tene,<ref name="Governance">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=#Fix |title=Governance and leadership |url=https://www.fixpolitics.org |website=#FixPolitics |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> unyi ukọchẹ eyi politics [[Policy]] and [[Governance]] (SPPG),<ref name="SPPG">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=SPPG |title=SPPG |url=https://thesppg.org/ |website=School of policy and Governance |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai Human Capital Africa.<ref name="ref">{{cite web |last1=HumCapAfrica |first1=Human Capital Africa |title=HCA |url=https://humcapafrica.org |website=Human Capital Africa |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Fondly called "Oby", Ezekwesili is a member of the board of directors of [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> a member of the [[Fundacao Dom Cabral]],<ref name="board fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> and the chairperson of the board of trustees of Ehizua Hub.<ref name="chairperson ehizua">{{cite web |last1=Ehizua |first1=Ehizua |title=Ehizua Education and Creative Technology Hub |url=https://ehizua.com/ |website=Ehizua |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ezekwesili is also a [[chartered accountant]], [[public analyst]], and senior [[economic advisor]] from [[Anambra]] state.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=2020-04-18|title=Oby Ezekwesili mourns Abba Kyari|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/oby-ezekwesili-mourns-abba-kyari/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2021-02-10|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=DR OBIAGELI EZEKWESILI – 2020 APF Conference|url=https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-19|language=en|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019121722/https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesppg.org/|title=Join the Next Class|website=SPPG}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fixpolitics.org/|title=Home|website=#FixPolitics}}</ref> == Early life and education== Ezekwesili was born in [[Anambra State|Lagos state]] to Benjamin Ujubuonu, who died in 1988, and Cecilia Nwayiaka Ujubuonu. Ezekwesili holds a bachelor's degree from the [[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]], master's degree in [[International law|International Law]] and Diplomacy from the [[University of Lagos]], and a [[Master of Public Administration]] degree from the [[Harvard Kennedy School]] at [[Harvard University]]. She trained with the firm of [[Deloitte and Touche]] and qualified as a [[chartered accountant]].<ref name="wbank"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili {{!}} Africa Region Vice President|url=https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|access-date=2021-05-25|website=blogs.worldbank.org|date=29 September 2011|language=en|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|url-status=dead}}</ref> Prior to working for the Government of Nigeria, Ezekwesiili worked with Professor [[Jeffrey Sachs]] at the [[Center for International Development]] at Harvard as the Director of the Harvard-Nigeria Economic Strategy Project.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SPE Login|url=https://www.spe.org/appssecured/login/servlet/TpSSOServlet?resource=higherlogic|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/|title = Oby Ezekwesili}}</ref> === Ukọlọ === Ezekwesili che ukọlọ [[Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Solid Minerals]] kpai [[Federal Ministry of Education (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Education]] ubi lẹ. Kwi ochu ẹlu ọdọ 2007 ti ochu ẹlu 2012, i che arọne‑agboji nwu Africa yi [[World Bank]]. Ẹnẹ ki wa ubi nwu che [[Makhtar Diop]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|title=Makhtar Diop is new World Bank Africa head|work=Africa Review|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-UK|archive-date=11 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511001632/http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> I che fellow ogijo yi [[Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs]]. === Transparency International 1994-1999 === She was a co-founder of [[Transparency International]], serving as one of the pioneer directors of the global anti-corruption body based in [[Berlin, Germany]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Book Oby Ezekwesili as a keynote speaker|url=https://www.chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/oby-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Chartwell Speakers|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Vital Voices|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/|website=Vital Voices|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ===1999-2007=== Ezekwesili started in the [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] administration as the pioneer head of the Budget Monitoring and [[Price Intelligence]] Unit (aka Due Process Unit). It was in this position that she earned the sobriquet of "Madam Due Process" for her work of leading a team of professionals to sanitize the public procurement and contracting processes at the federal level in Nigeria.<ref name="career">{{cite web |last1=VenturesAfrica |first1=Africa |title=Madam Due Process - Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://venturesafrica.com/madam-due-processoby-ezekwesili-world-bank-former-vice-president-for-africa/ |website=Venturesafrica.com |date=22 September 2012 |publisher=Ventures |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="research">{{cite journal |last1=Due process |first1=madam |title=University of Lagos - A study of the public Life of Madam Due Process |journal=Lagos Notes and Records |date=28 February 2021 |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=225–248 |url=http://lnr.unilag.edu.ng/article/view/1200 |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> She was the architect of the Bureau for Public Procurement legislation, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) legislation, and the new Minerals and Mining legislation during her six and a half year stint in government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=InvestEgate {{!}} Company Announcements {{!}} Home {{!}} FTSE 100, 250, AIM, techMARK|url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/|website=www.investegate.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Solid Minerals ==== In June 2005, Ezekwesili was appointed Minister of Solid Minerals (Mines and Steel), where she led a reform program that led to Nigeria's global recognition as a credible mining investment destination. She was also the Chairperson of the NEITI, and led the first national implementation of the global standards and principles of transparency in the oil, gas and mining sector.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UNESCO|url=https://en.unesco.org/|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Education ==== In June 2006, Ezekwesili was appointed the Federal Minister of Education, a post she held until she took up a [[World Bank]] appointment in May 2007.<ref name="wbank">{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/0,,contentMDK:21270986~menuPK:258657~pagePK:2865106~piPK:2865128~theSitePK:258644,00.html |title=Obiageli Ezekwesili Appointed As Vice President for the Africa Region |date=23 March 2007 |publisher=The World Bank |access-date=19 February 2010}}</ref> While in government, Ezekwesili led the restructuring and refocusing of the Education Ministry for the attainment of [[Education For All|Education for All]] (EfA) targets and [[Millennium Development Goals]]. She also introduced [[public-private partnership]]s for education service delivery, revamped the Federal Inspectorate Service as an improved quality assurance mechanism, and introduced transparency and accountability mechanisms for better governance of the budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proshareng.com/news/People/Profile--Ms-Obiageli-Katryn-Ezekwesili----Accountability-&-Transparency-Quest/19200|title = Profile: Ms Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili - Accountability & Transparency Quest}}</ref> === Vice president, World Bank's Africa region === In March 2007, [[World Bank]] President [[Paul Wolfowitz]] announced the appointment of Ezekwesili as vice president for the Africa region starting on 1 May 2007.<ref name="wbank" /> In 2012, she successfully completed her stint as vice president for the World Bank's Africa region.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Egbas|first=Jude|title=10 amazing things you didn"t know about Oby Ezekwesili|language=en-US|url=http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|access-date=2017-10-07|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007222903/http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> As vice president, she was in charge of the bank's operations of 48 countries in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]] and supervised a lending portfolio of over $40 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Social Media Week|url=https://socialmediaweek.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=Social Media Week|language=en-US|archive-date=23 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523050956/https://socialmediaweek.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Later career== As a senior economic advisor for [[Open Society Foundations|Open Society]], a group founded by [[George Soros]], Ezekwesili advises nine reform-committed African heads of state including [[Paul Kagame]] of [[Rwanda]] and [[Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf]] of [[Liberia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Somerville College Oxford|url=https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/|website=www.some.ox.ac.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> === Board memberships === On 1 October 2012, one of the world's leading telecommunications firms, [[Bharti Airtel]], with operations in 20 countries, named Ezekwesili as a director on its board. She is also on the boards of [[World Wildlife Fund]], the School of Public Policy of [[Central European University]], the Harold Hartog School of Government and Policy, ''[[New African]]'' magazine, [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board_wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> [[Fundacao Dom Cabral]]<ref name="board_fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |publisher=FDC |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and the Center for Global Leadership [[Tufts University]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The World Economic Forum|url=https://www.weforum.org/|website=World Economic Forum|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> In April 2020, she was appointed to the board of trustees of the [[International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation]] where she contributes to overseeing their expansion in developing economies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IBFD Your Portal to Cross Border Tax Expertise|url=https://www.ibfd.org/|website=www.ibfd.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> She is also the co-chair of the [[World Economic Forum]] Africa Regional Stewardship Board.<ref name="Honorary">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Co-chair of Africa Regional Board World Economic Forum |url=https://www.weforum.org/people/obiageli-katryn-ezekwesili |website=Weforum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="enlist_Honor">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Launch of Davos Friends of Africa Growth Platform |url=https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/01/launch-of-davos-friends-of-africa-growth-platform/ |website=world Economic Forum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=University of Cape Town |first1=UCT |title=WEF names Pityana as co-chair of its Africa board |url=http://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2020-01-31-wef-names-pityana-as-co-chair-of-its-africa-board |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=University of Cape Town |publisher=University of Cape Town News |date=31 January 2020}}</ref> In January 2019, Ezekwesili was appointed on the advisory board of directors<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-12|title=Oby Ezekwesili launches scholarship programme for young Nigerian women|url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US|archive-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204022658/https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|url-status=dead}}</ref> of Nexford University in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington DC]] and subsequently launched a scholarship program dedicated to women in [[Nigeria]]. In December 2021, Nexford University appointed her as a member of its board of directors.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-18|title=Nexford University Appoints Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili Into Board Of Directors|url=https://geeky.com.ng/nexford-university-appoints-dr-obiageli-ezekwesili-into-board-of-directors/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Geeky Nigeria|language=en-US}}</ref> She is also the Senior Economic Adviser to the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative<ref name="senior_adviser">{{cite web |last1=Economic Advisory |first1=aedpi |title=Senior Economic Adviser Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative |url=https://theaedpi.org/ |website=theaedpi |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and a member of the advisory board of the [[Institute for State Effectiveness]].<ref name="advisory_board_of_effectiveness">{{cite web |last1=Advisory Board |first1=member |title=The Institute for State Effectiveness |url=https://effectivestates.org/who-we-are/ |website=effectivestates.org |publisher=ISE |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> === Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign === In March 2014, Ezekwesili delivered a speech at the national summit of the [[All Progressives Congress]] (APC), Nigeria's leading opposition party. She criticized the many cross-carpeting governors and urged the party to have "a conversation deeper than how you're going to chase (the ruling) PDP out of power".<ref>Ayokunle Odekunle, [http://www.ynaija.com/ten-things-you-should-know-about-oby-ezekwesilis-speech-at-the-apc-national-summit/ "10 things you SHOULD know about Oby Ezekwesili's speech at the APC National summit"], Naija.com.</ref> After [[2014 Chibok kidnapping|nearly 300 mainly Christian girls were abducted]] from [[Chibok]] by the [[Islamist]] militant group [[Boko Haram]],<ref>David Smith, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/nigeria-launches-military-operation-to-find-kidnapped-girls "Military operation launched to locate kidnapped Nigerian girls"], ''The Guardian'', 14 May 2014: "Although most of the abducted girls are Christian, all were wearing Muslim dress and two were singled out to say they had converted to Islam."</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27389082 "Nigeria abduction video: Schoolgirls 'recognised'"], BBC, 13 May 2014: "The girls' families have said that most of those seized are Christians, although there are a number of Muslims among them."</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Terrorists kidnap more than 200 Nigerian girls|date=21 April 2014|work=USA Today|first=Oren|last=Dorell|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/21/parents-234-girls-kidnapped-from-nigeria-school/7958307/|access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref> Ezekwesili used the [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|Bring Back Our Girls]] (BBOG) advocacy group to draw global attention to the plight of all persons who have been abducted by terrorists from Nigeria's war ravaged northeast region.<ref name=":0" /> She was instrumental to the start of the viral [[#Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign]] on social media, which trended internationally. On 23 April, at the opening ceremony for a [[UNESCO]] event honoring the city of [[Port Harcourt]] as the 2014 [[World Book Capital]] city, she urged Nigerians to not just tweet but actively participate in efforts to "bring back our girls".<ref>Nadia Nasanovsky, [http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/158929/a-global-effort-to-%E2%80%98bring-back-our-girls%E2%80%99 "A global effort to ‘Bring Back Our Girls’"], ''Buenos Aires herald'', 8 May 2014.</ref><ref>Emma Howard, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/07/bring-back-our-girls-global-protests-abduction-nigerian-schoolgirls "Bring back our girls: global protests over abduction of Nigerian schoolgirls"], ''The Guardian'', 7 May 2014.</ref><ref name="cnn_gps">{{cite news |last1=GPS |first1=Chibok |title=On GPS: Where are the missing Chibok girls? |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2019/01/11/exp-gps-0113-ezekwesili-on-chibok-girls-still-captured.cnn |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=CNN |publisher=Fareed Zakaria |date=11 January 2019}}</ref> As she prepared to board a [[British Airways]] flight to London to appear on the [[BBC]] programme ''[[Hard Talk]]'' in July 2014, she was detained by Nigeria's secret service, the [[State Security Service (Nigeria)|SSS]], who also seized her passport.<ref>[http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ "OUTRAGE: BBOG coordinator, Oby Ezekwesili arrested, released"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728092712/http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ |date=28 July 2014 }}, ''Today'', 14 July 2014.</ref><ref>[http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html "#BringBackOurGirls: Oby Ezekwesili detained by SSS officials in Abuja"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324004422/http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html |date=24 March 2017 }}, Pulse.ng, 21 July 2014.</ref> She was later released the same morning. She is the founder and convener of the #RedCardMovement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dailytrust.com/womens-march-celebrating-obys-passion-for-a-new-nigeria/|title=Women's March: celebrating Oby's passion for a new Nigeria|date=March 2021 |accessdate=26 August 2024|newspaper=[[Daily Trust]]}}</ref> == 2019 presidential election== {{Main|2019 Nigerian general election}} Ezekwesili contested for the office of the [[president of Nigeria]] on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack">{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili: Values and vision divergence with ACPN triggered my withdrawal presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152951/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The former minister had hinted at contesting for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/obyezeks/status/1039795704712097792|title=Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en}}</ref> At an event commemorating the 58th anniversary of Nigeria's independence, Pastor [[Tunde Bakare]] announced that she would be running for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-oby-ezekwesili-contest-president-says-tunde-bakare|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare - TheCable|date=2018-10-01|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US|newspaper=[[TheCable]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Oluwamayowa Tijani|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare|date=2018-10-01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-02}}{{cbignore}}</ref> One of her campaign promises was to lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili officially flags off presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |access-date=8 January 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oaktv |date=8 January 2019 |archive-date=8 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108200631/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="cnn_amanpour">{{cite web |last1=Amanpour |first1=Christine |title=Ezekwesili's interview with Christine Amanpour |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2018/11/21/nigerian-presidential-candidate-oby-ezekwesili-amanpour.cnn |website=CNN |date=21 November 2018 |publisher=Christine Amanpour |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="yahoo_abrams">{{cite web |last1=Abrams |first1=Stacey |title=Stacey Abrams interviews Ezekwesili |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |website=yahoo |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113193715/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 24 January 2019, Ezekwesili withdrew from the presidential race,<ref>{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili withdraws from presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152929/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> owing to a divergence of values and visions with her political party.<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack"/> However, later in the day, the [[Independent National Electoral Commission (Nigeria)|Independent National Electoral Commission]]<ref>{{cite news |title=INEC Receives N198bn for General Election |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152753/https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> said it was too late for anyone to withdraw from the race because the ballot materials had already been prepared. For that reason, the crest of the party would still appear.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ezekwesili: It's too late for candidates to step down, says INEC |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152838/https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Fela Durotoye]] commended Ezekwesili for taking the lead and clamouring for a coalition to end the rule of #APCPDP.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fela Durotoye Commends Oby Ezekwesili, expresses commitment to renew search for coalition candidate |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=24 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124212611/https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 4 February 2019, Ezekwesili organised a press conference in NICON Luxury Hall, Abuja. She spoke during her press conference about her rough political journey while campaigning for the office of the President of Nigeria under the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=INSIDE DETAILS: Oby Ezekwesili opens up on her rough political journey |url=https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015323/https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> She also gave a motivational speech as she stepped down from the 2019 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili's emotional speech as she takes a bow from 2019 presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015320/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 7 February 2019, Ezekwesili published her campaign finances. The report shows she spent 48 million Naira between 1 October 2018 and 2 February 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/oby-ezekwesili-publishes-campaign-finances/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Oby Ezekwesili publishes campaign finances|date = 7 February 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref> == Personal life == Oby is married to Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili of the [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]] (RCCG) and has three sons: Chinemelum, Chinweuba and Chidera.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Oby Ezekwesili Offers Marriage Tips To Young Nigerians|language=en-gb|work=Nigeriafilms.com|url=https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|access-date=2018-05-24|archive-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524222825/https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2021, Ezekwesili submitted a petition to the [[Inspector General of Police (Nigeria)|Inspector General of Police]] against [[Japheth J. Omojuwa|Japhet Omojuwa]], accusing him of fraudulently using her name as a director in his firm, Alpha Reach Company Limited.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-04-16|title=Fraud: Ezekwesili submits evidence against Omojuwa to IGP, demands prosecution|url=https://punchng.com/fraud-ezekwesili-submits-evidence-against-omojuwa-to-ig-demands-prosecution/|access-date=2021-04-17|newspaper=[[The Punch]]|language=en-US}}</ref> == Awards and recognition == * In 2006, Ezekwesili was given the national award of [[Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic]] (CFR).<ref name="auto"/> * In May 2012, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (DSC) degree by the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nexford University|url=https://www.nexford.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=www.nexford.org|language=en}}</ref> She was selected as one of the [[BBC 100 Women|BBC's 100 Women]] in 2013 and 2014.<ref>{{cite web|date=22 November 2013|title=100 Women: Who took part?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-24579511|website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=26 October 2014|title=Who are the 100 Women 2014?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-29758792|access-date=4 December 2016|publisher=BBC}}</ref> *In December 2012, Ezekwesili was named by the ''[[New African]]'' magazine as one of the 100 Most influential Africans.<ref name="influential award">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=100 Most Influential |title=100 Most Influential Africans |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/3375/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |publisher=New African |date=23 December 2012}}</ref> *In December 2014, Ezekwesili was named again among the 2014 most influential Africans - Civil Society and Activism by the ''New African'' magazine.<ref name="influential award 2">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=Most Influential |title=Civil Society & Activism |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/9340/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=NewAfrican |publisher=New African Magazine |date=22 December 2014}}</ref> *In March 2016, Ezekwesili won the 2016 New Africa women award.<ref name="women awards">{{cite news |last1=Awards |first1=women |title=New Africa |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/events/new-africa-women-awards-2016-oby-ezekwesili-zuriel-oduwole-jumoke-adenowo-and-others/hrwpp5t |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=New Africa |publisher=Pulse Ng |date=12 March 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * In July 2016, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary graduate degree by the [[University of Essex]], [[United Kingdom]], where she presented an inspiring and impassioned speech to the graduating students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www1.essex.ac.uk/news/event.aspx?e_id=10662|title=Bring Back Our Girls campaigner Obiageli Ezekwesili awarded Honorary Degree by University of Essex - News - University of Essex|website=www1.essex.ac.uk}}</ref> * In March 2019, Ezekwesili won the Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award for her efforts on the #BringBackOurGirls campaign on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|date=2019-03-26|title=Ezekwesili wins Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/322500-ezekwesili-wins-forbes-woman-africa-social-influencer-award.html|access-date=2019-03-27|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]|language=en-GB}}</ref> * In 2019, she was awarded a Richard Von Weizsäcker Fellowship at the [[Robert Bosch Academy]] in Berlin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/ezekwesili-others-bag-weizsacker-fellowship-in-germany/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Ezekwesili, others bag Weizsäcker fellowship in Germany|date = 2 September 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertboschacademy.de/en/fellow/obiageli-ezekwesili|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|website=Robert Bosch Academy}}</ref> * She was selected as a 2020 Global Leadership Awards honoree.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Vital Voices|language=en}}</ref> Also named as one of 100 visionaries featured in the 3D book "Genius:100 Visionary Thinkers launched in [[Montreal]], [[Canada]] in 2017 by Albert Einstein's Foundations. * In 2020, she was invested as a global leader by the [[Vital Voices]] Global leadership awards.<ref name="awards">{{cite web |last1=Voices |first1=Vital |title=Global Leadership Awards |url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/what-we-do/individual-investments/honoree-program-2/ |website=Vital Voices Global Partnership |publisher=Vital Voices |access-date=12 January 2022 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * She was recognized by ''Time'' magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People and by the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' as one of the 25 Women of Impact for 2015. * She holds the [[Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Public Service]] of the [[Harvard Kennedy School|Harvard Kennedy School of Government]], and the Tuft University EPIIC Jean Meyer Award. She is a Democracy Ambassador -International IDEA, and a 2018 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] nominee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biography of Dr (Mrs.) Obiageli (Oby) Katryn Ezekwesili |url=http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |website=ACUF Asthma Conference |access-date=25 May 2021 |archive-date=25 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525190036/http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> * She is one of the 100 Genius Visionaries inducted by the Genius 100 Foundation.<ref name="Honors">{{cite web |last1=Visionaries |first1=Genius 100 |title=An Active and engaged Community of 100 exceptional Individuals |url=https://www.genius100visions.com/ |website=Genius 100 visions |publisher=Genius 100 Foundation |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * In August 2021, Ezekwesili joined [[Yale University]]'s Jackson School of Global Affairs as a senior fellow.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/481907-ezekwesili-joins-yale-university-as-senior-fellow.html|title = Ezekwesili joins Yale University as senior fellow &#124; Premium Times Nigeria|date = 29 August 2021|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]}}</ref><ref name="education">{{cite web |last1=Yale |first1=University |title=Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs |url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/ |website=Yale edu |publisher=Yale University |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * On May 20, 2022, Dr Oby received the most impactful woman of the year Award. It was hosted by The [https://www.womenofinestimablevalues.org Women of inestimable values] foundation impact makers award to celebrate impact makers across the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-16 |title=Vanguard |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/wivf-recognises-impact-makers-launches-book-to-celebrate-5th-year-anniversary/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks|d=Q7074927|c=Category:Oby Ezekwesili|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}} * [https://twitter.com/obyezeks Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter] * [https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/ Obiageli Ezekwesili] * [https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili Obiageli Ezekwesili | Africa Region Vice President] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili |date=16 October 2021 }} * [https://archive.today/20130416060748/http://go.worldbank.org/0YXPCPBHW0 Interview with Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for the World Bank Africa Region]. The World Bank, November–December 2007 {{Cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo 2003-2007}} {{Human rights in Nigeria}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ezekwesili, Obiageli}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Nigerian accountants]] [[Category:Nigerian economists]] [[Category:Nigerian women economists]] [[Category:World Bank people]] [[Category:University of Lagos alumni]] [[Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni]] [[Category:Federal ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:University of Nigeria alumni]] [[Category:1963 births]] [[Category:Nigerian women activists]] [[Category:Nigerian human rights activists]] [[Category:Women government ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:Nigerian officials of the United Nations]] [[Category:Candidates for President of Nigeria]] 7ubu4l862p4nawyxigqo90f4kchz3c5 40189 40188 2026-04-16T04:26:58Z Anniwinner 897 #IGL #FNFIGL 40189 wikitext text/x-wiki {{Short description|Nigerian accountant and politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili | image = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, 2009 World Economic Forum on Africa.jpg | office1 = Federal Minister of Solid Minerals, Nigeria | term_start1 = June 2005 | term_end1 = June 2006 | predecessor1 = [[Odion Ugbesia]] | successor1 = [[Leslye Obiora]] | office2 = Federal Minister of Education, Nigeria | term_start2 = June 2006 | term_end2 = April 2007 | predecessor2 = [[Chinwe Obaji]] | successor2 = [[Abba Sayyadi Ruma]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|04|28}} | birth_place = [[Anambra State]], Nigeria | death_date = | death_place = | party = | spouse = Chinedu Ezekwesili | education = [[Harvard Kennedy School]]<br />[[University of Lagos]]<br />[[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]] | profession = Chartered accountant, economic policy | nationality = [[Nigerian]] | children = 3 | honorific_prefix = [[Commander of the Federal Republic|CFR]] | nickname = 'Madam Due Process' }} '''Obiageli''' "'''Oby'''" '''Ezekwesili''' {{IPAc-en||audio=LL-Q33578 (ibo)-Olugold-Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili.wav}} (Ma bi ọjọ Ogwu ny'oke mẹjọ ochu ẹlẹ ọdọ 1963) ẹnẹ Naijeriya ka ki chẹ ma [[economic policy|ọda ẹnwu ki ya nẹ ọkọ wa]] nyọnyọ, ẹnẹ ki ya j'uja ẹnwu eche fẹr'eju, ohi ẹnwu eko nyọnyọ, ọda e gw'ọnyu nyọnyọ kpai unyọgba amónẹ, [[humanitarian|ẹnẹ ki ya che ẹnwu nwu ami ọja]] ka kpai manyu onwu che ẹnẹ ki chanẹ ẹnẹ a[[ACTivists|a j'uja nwu amonẹ]]. I che [[vice president|arọne agboji]] nwu [[World Bank]] (Africa region) kw'obi, i che chanẹ [[Transparency International]] I la che onẹ ka efu abo kuma chanẹ ujọ [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|#BringBackOurGirls]] manyu i che federal [[Minister (government)|Minister]] yi [[Nigeria]] onu mejí.<ref>{{Cite journal |last= |first= |date=2024 |title=Dr. Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://nigeriareposit.nln.gov.ng/handle/20.500.14186/1049 |journal=National Library of Nigeria |language=en}}</ref> Onwu ñọ [[Organizational founder|chanẹ]] #FixPolitics Initiative, ugbo ki abo kuma ch'ọma ojanẹ a che u tene,<ref name="Governance">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=#Fix |title=Governance and leadership |url=https://www.fixpolitics.org |website=#FixPolitics |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> unyi ukọchẹ eyi politics [[Policy]] and [[Governance]] (SPPG),<ref name="SPPG">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=SPPG |title=SPPG |url=https://thesppg.org/ |website=School of policy and Governance |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai Human Capital Africa.<ref name="ref">{{cite web |last1=HumCapAfrica |first1=Human Capital Africa |title=HCA |url=https://humcapafrica.org |website=Human Capital Africa |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ki amonẹ atẹ e dọ "Oby", Ezekwesili che ẹnẹ ka efu board of directors eyi [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> ẹnẹ ka efu[[Fundacao Dom Cabral]],<ref name="board fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai agboji board of trustees eyi Ehizua Hub.<ref name="chairperson ehizua">{{cite web |last1=Ehizua |first1=Ehizua |title=Ehizua Education and Creative Technology Hub |url=https://ehizua.com/ |website=Ehizua |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ezekwesili is also a [[chartered accountant]], [[public analyst]], and senior [[economic advisor]] from [[Anambra]] state.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=2020-04-18|title=Oby Ezekwesili mourns Abba Kyari|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/oby-ezekwesili-mourns-abba-kyari/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2021-02-10|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=DR OBIAGELI EZEKWESILI – 2020 APF Conference|url=https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-19|language=en|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019121722/https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesppg.org/|title=Join the Next Class|website=SPPG}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fixpolitics.org/|title=Home|website=#FixPolitics}}</ref> == Early life and education== Ezekwesili was born in [[Anambra State|Lagos state]] to Benjamin Ujubuonu, who died in 1988, and Cecilia Nwayiaka Ujubuonu. Ezekwesili holds a bachelor's degree from the [[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]], master's degree in [[International law|International Law]] and Diplomacy from the [[University of Lagos]], and a [[Master of Public Administration]] degree from the [[Harvard Kennedy School]] at [[Harvard University]]. She trained with the firm of [[Deloitte and Touche]] and qualified as a [[chartered accountant]].<ref name="wbank"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili {{!}} Africa Region Vice President|url=https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|access-date=2021-05-25|website=blogs.worldbank.org|date=29 September 2011|language=en|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|url-status=dead}}</ref> Prior to working for the Government of Nigeria, Ezekwesiili worked with Professor [[Jeffrey Sachs]] at the [[Center for International Development]] at Harvard as the Director of the Harvard-Nigeria Economic Strategy Project.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SPE Login|url=https://www.spe.org/appssecured/login/servlet/TpSSOServlet?resource=higherlogic|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/|title = Oby Ezekwesili}}</ref> === Ukọlọ === Ezekwesili che ukọlọ [[Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Solid Minerals]] kpai [[Federal Ministry of Education (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Education]] ubi lẹ. Kwi ochu ẹlu ọdọ 2007 ti ochu ẹlu 2012, i che arọne‑agboji nwu Africa yi [[World Bank]]. Ẹnẹ ki wa ubi nwu che [[Makhtar Diop]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|title=Makhtar Diop is new World Bank Africa head|work=Africa Review|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-UK|archive-date=11 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511001632/http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> I che fellow ogijo yi [[Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs]]. === Transparency International 1994-1999 === She was a co-founder of [[Transparency International]], serving as one of the pioneer directors of the global anti-corruption body based in [[Berlin, Germany]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Book Oby Ezekwesili as a keynote speaker|url=https://www.chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/oby-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Chartwell Speakers|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Vital Voices|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/|website=Vital Voices|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ===1999-2007=== Ezekwesili started in the [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] administration as the pioneer head of the Budget Monitoring and [[Price Intelligence]] Unit (aka Due Process Unit). It was in this position that she earned the sobriquet of "Madam Due Process" for her work of leading a team of professionals to sanitize the public procurement and contracting processes at the federal level in Nigeria.<ref name="career">{{cite web |last1=VenturesAfrica |first1=Africa |title=Madam Due Process - Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://venturesafrica.com/madam-due-processoby-ezekwesili-world-bank-former-vice-president-for-africa/ |website=Venturesafrica.com |date=22 September 2012 |publisher=Ventures |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="research">{{cite journal |last1=Due process |first1=madam |title=University of Lagos - A study of the public Life of Madam Due Process |journal=Lagos Notes and Records |date=28 February 2021 |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=225–248 |url=http://lnr.unilag.edu.ng/article/view/1200 |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> She was the architect of the Bureau for Public Procurement legislation, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) legislation, and the new Minerals and Mining legislation during her six and a half year stint in government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=InvestEgate {{!}} Company Announcements {{!}} Home {{!}} FTSE 100, 250, AIM, techMARK|url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/|website=www.investegate.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Solid Minerals ==== In June 2005, Ezekwesili was appointed Minister of Solid Minerals (Mines and Steel), where she led a reform program that led to Nigeria's global recognition as a credible mining investment destination. She was also the Chairperson of the NEITI, and led the first national implementation of the global standards and principles of transparency in the oil, gas and mining sector.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UNESCO|url=https://en.unesco.org/|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Education ==== In June 2006, Ezekwesili was appointed the Federal Minister of Education, a post she held until she took up a [[World Bank]] appointment in May 2007.<ref name="wbank">{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/0,,contentMDK:21270986~menuPK:258657~pagePK:2865106~piPK:2865128~theSitePK:258644,00.html |title=Obiageli Ezekwesili Appointed As Vice President for the Africa Region |date=23 March 2007 |publisher=The World Bank |access-date=19 February 2010}}</ref> While in government, Ezekwesili led the restructuring and refocusing of the Education Ministry for the attainment of [[Education For All|Education for All]] (EfA) targets and [[Millennium Development Goals]]. She also introduced [[public-private partnership]]s for education service delivery, revamped the Federal Inspectorate Service as an improved quality assurance mechanism, and introduced transparency and accountability mechanisms for better governance of the budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proshareng.com/news/People/Profile--Ms-Obiageli-Katryn-Ezekwesili----Accountability-&-Transparency-Quest/19200|title = Profile: Ms Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili - Accountability & Transparency Quest}}</ref> === Vice president, World Bank's Africa region === In March 2007, [[World Bank]] President [[Paul Wolfowitz]] announced the appointment of Ezekwesili as vice president for the Africa region starting on 1 May 2007.<ref name="wbank" /> In 2012, she successfully completed her stint as vice president for the World Bank's Africa region.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Egbas|first=Jude|title=10 amazing things you didn"t know about Oby Ezekwesili|language=en-US|url=http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|access-date=2017-10-07|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007222903/http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> As vice president, she was in charge of the bank's operations of 48 countries in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]] and supervised a lending portfolio of over $40 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Social Media Week|url=https://socialmediaweek.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=Social Media Week|language=en-US|archive-date=23 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523050956/https://socialmediaweek.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Later career== As a senior economic advisor for [[Open Society Foundations|Open Society]], a group founded by [[George Soros]], Ezekwesili advises nine reform-committed African heads of state including [[Paul Kagame]] of [[Rwanda]] and [[Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf]] of [[Liberia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Somerville College Oxford|url=https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/|website=www.some.ox.ac.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> === Board memberships === On 1 October 2012, one of the world's leading telecommunications firms, [[Bharti Airtel]], with operations in 20 countries, named Ezekwesili as a director on its board. She is also on the boards of [[World Wildlife Fund]], the School of Public Policy of [[Central European University]], the Harold Hartog School of Government and Policy, ''[[New African]]'' magazine, [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board_wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> [[Fundacao Dom Cabral]]<ref name="board_fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |publisher=FDC |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and the Center for Global Leadership [[Tufts University]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The World Economic Forum|url=https://www.weforum.org/|website=World Economic Forum|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> In April 2020, she was appointed to the board of trustees of the [[International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation]] where she contributes to overseeing their expansion in developing economies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IBFD Your Portal to Cross Border Tax Expertise|url=https://www.ibfd.org/|website=www.ibfd.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> She is also the co-chair of the [[World Economic Forum]] Africa Regional Stewardship Board.<ref name="Honorary">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Co-chair of Africa Regional Board World Economic Forum |url=https://www.weforum.org/people/obiageli-katryn-ezekwesili |website=Weforum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="enlist_Honor">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Launch of Davos Friends of Africa Growth Platform |url=https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/01/launch-of-davos-friends-of-africa-growth-platform/ |website=world Economic Forum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=University of Cape Town |first1=UCT |title=WEF names Pityana as co-chair of its Africa board |url=http://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2020-01-31-wef-names-pityana-as-co-chair-of-its-africa-board |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=University of Cape Town |publisher=University of Cape Town News |date=31 January 2020}}</ref> In January 2019, Ezekwesili was appointed on the advisory board of directors<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-12|title=Oby Ezekwesili launches scholarship programme for young Nigerian women|url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US|archive-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204022658/https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|url-status=dead}}</ref> of Nexford University in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington DC]] and subsequently launched a scholarship program dedicated to women in [[Nigeria]]. In December 2021, Nexford University appointed her as a member of its board of directors.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-18|title=Nexford University Appoints Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili Into Board Of Directors|url=https://geeky.com.ng/nexford-university-appoints-dr-obiageli-ezekwesili-into-board-of-directors/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Geeky Nigeria|language=en-US}}</ref> She is also the Senior Economic Adviser to the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative<ref name="senior_adviser">{{cite web |last1=Economic Advisory |first1=aedpi |title=Senior Economic Adviser Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative |url=https://theaedpi.org/ |website=theaedpi |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and a member of the advisory board of the [[Institute for State Effectiveness]].<ref name="advisory_board_of_effectiveness">{{cite web |last1=Advisory Board |first1=member |title=The Institute for State Effectiveness |url=https://effectivestates.org/who-we-are/ |website=effectivestates.org |publisher=ISE |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> === Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign === In March 2014, Ezekwesili delivered a speech at the national summit of the [[All Progressives Congress]] (APC), Nigeria's leading opposition party. She criticized the many cross-carpeting governors and urged the party to have "a conversation deeper than how you're going to chase (the ruling) PDP out of power".<ref>Ayokunle Odekunle, [http://www.ynaija.com/ten-things-you-should-know-about-oby-ezekwesilis-speech-at-the-apc-national-summit/ "10 things you SHOULD know about Oby Ezekwesili's speech at the APC National summit"], Naija.com.</ref> After [[2014 Chibok kidnapping|nearly 300 mainly Christian girls were abducted]] from [[Chibok]] by the [[Islamist]] militant group [[Boko Haram]],<ref>David Smith, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/nigeria-launches-military-operation-to-find-kidnapped-girls "Military operation launched to locate kidnapped Nigerian girls"], ''The Guardian'', 14 May 2014: "Although most of the abducted girls are Christian, all were wearing Muslim dress and two were singled out to say they had converted to Islam."</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27389082 "Nigeria abduction video: Schoolgirls 'recognised'"], BBC, 13 May 2014: "The girls' families have said that most of those seized are Christians, although there are a number of Muslims among them."</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Terrorists kidnap more than 200 Nigerian girls|date=21 April 2014|work=USA Today|first=Oren|last=Dorell|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/21/parents-234-girls-kidnapped-from-nigeria-school/7958307/|access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref> Ezekwesili used the [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|Bring Back Our Girls]] (BBOG) advocacy group to draw global attention to the plight of all persons who have been abducted by terrorists from Nigeria's war ravaged northeast region.<ref name=":0" /> She was instrumental to the start of the viral [[#Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign]] on social media, which trended internationally. On 23 April, at the opening ceremony for a [[UNESCO]] event honoring the city of [[Port Harcourt]] as the 2014 [[World Book Capital]] city, she urged Nigerians to not just tweet but actively participate in efforts to "bring back our girls".<ref>Nadia Nasanovsky, [http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/158929/a-global-effort-to-%E2%80%98bring-back-our-girls%E2%80%99 "A global effort to ‘Bring Back Our Girls’"], ''Buenos Aires herald'', 8 May 2014.</ref><ref>Emma Howard, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/07/bring-back-our-girls-global-protests-abduction-nigerian-schoolgirls "Bring back our girls: global protests over abduction of Nigerian schoolgirls"], ''The Guardian'', 7 May 2014.</ref><ref name="cnn_gps">{{cite news |last1=GPS |first1=Chibok |title=On GPS: Where are the missing Chibok girls? |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2019/01/11/exp-gps-0113-ezekwesili-on-chibok-girls-still-captured.cnn |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=CNN |publisher=Fareed Zakaria |date=11 January 2019}}</ref> As she prepared to board a [[British Airways]] flight to London to appear on the [[BBC]] programme ''[[Hard Talk]]'' in July 2014, she was detained by Nigeria's secret service, the [[State Security Service (Nigeria)|SSS]], who also seized her passport.<ref>[http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ "OUTRAGE: BBOG coordinator, Oby Ezekwesili arrested, released"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728092712/http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ |date=28 July 2014 }}, ''Today'', 14 July 2014.</ref><ref>[http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html "#BringBackOurGirls: Oby Ezekwesili detained by SSS officials in Abuja"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324004422/http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html |date=24 March 2017 }}, Pulse.ng, 21 July 2014.</ref> She was later released the same morning. She is the founder and convener of the #RedCardMovement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dailytrust.com/womens-march-celebrating-obys-passion-for-a-new-nigeria/|title=Women's March: celebrating Oby's passion for a new Nigeria|date=March 2021 |accessdate=26 August 2024|newspaper=[[Daily Trust]]}}</ref> == 2019 presidential election== {{Main|2019 Nigerian general election}} Ezekwesili contested for the office of the [[president of Nigeria]] on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack">{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili: Values and vision divergence with ACPN triggered my withdrawal presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152951/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The former minister had hinted at contesting for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/obyezeks/status/1039795704712097792|title=Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en}}</ref> At an event commemorating the 58th anniversary of Nigeria's independence, Pastor [[Tunde Bakare]] announced that she would be running for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-oby-ezekwesili-contest-president-says-tunde-bakare|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare - TheCable|date=2018-10-01|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US|newspaper=[[TheCable]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Oluwamayowa Tijani|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare|date=2018-10-01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-02}}{{cbignore}}</ref> One of her campaign promises was to lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili officially flags off presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |access-date=8 January 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oaktv |date=8 January 2019 |archive-date=8 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108200631/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="cnn_amanpour">{{cite web |last1=Amanpour |first1=Christine |title=Ezekwesili's interview with Christine Amanpour |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2018/11/21/nigerian-presidential-candidate-oby-ezekwesili-amanpour.cnn |website=CNN |date=21 November 2018 |publisher=Christine Amanpour |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="yahoo_abrams">{{cite web |last1=Abrams |first1=Stacey |title=Stacey Abrams interviews Ezekwesili |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |website=yahoo |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113193715/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 24 January 2019, Ezekwesili withdrew from the presidential race,<ref>{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili withdraws from presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152929/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> owing to a divergence of values and visions with her political party.<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack"/> However, later in the day, the [[Independent National Electoral Commission (Nigeria)|Independent National Electoral Commission]]<ref>{{cite news |title=INEC Receives N198bn for General Election |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152753/https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> said it was too late for anyone to withdraw from the race because the ballot materials had already been prepared. For that reason, the crest of the party would still appear.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ezekwesili: It's too late for candidates to step down, says INEC |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152838/https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Fela Durotoye]] commended Ezekwesili for taking the lead and clamouring for a coalition to end the rule of #APCPDP.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fela Durotoye Commends Oby Ezekwesili, expresses commitment to renew search for coalition candidate |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=24 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124212611/https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 4 February 2019, Ezekwesili organised a press conference in NICON Luxury Hall, Abuja. She spoke during her press conference about her rough political journey while campaigning for the office of the President of Nigeria under the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=INSIDE DETAILS: Oby Ezekwesili opens up on her rough political journey |url=https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015323/https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> She also gave a motivational speech as she stepped down from the 2019 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili's emotional speech as she takes a bow from 2019 presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015320/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 7 February 2019, Ezekwesili published her campaign finances. The report shows she spent 48 million Naira between 1 October 2018 and 2 February 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/oby-ezekwesili-publishes-campaign-finances/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Oby Ezekwesili publishes campaign finances|date = 7 February 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref> == Personal life == Oby is married to Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili of the [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]] (RCCG) and has three sons: Chinemelum, Chinweuba and Chidera.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Oby Ezekwesili Offers Marriage Tips To Young Nigerians|language=en-gb|work=Nigeriafilms.com|url=https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|access-date=2018-05-24|archive-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524222825/https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2021, Ezekwesili submitted a petition to the [[Inspector General of Police (Nigeria)|Inspector General of Police]] against [[Japheth J. Omojuwa|Japhet Omojuwa]], accusing him of fraudulently using her name as a director in his firm, Alpha Reach Company Limited.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-04-16|title=Fraud: Ezekwesili submits evidence against Omojuwa to IGP, demands prosecution|url=https://punchng.com/fraud-ezekwesili-submits-evidence-against-omojuwa-to-ig-demands-prosecution/|access-date=2021-04-17|newspaper=[[The Punch]]|language=en-US}}</ref> == Awards and recognition == * In 2006, Ezekwesili was given the national award of [[Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic]] (CFR).<ref name="auto"/> * In May 2012, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (DSC) degree by the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nexford University|url=https://www.nexford.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=www.nexford.org|language=en}}</ref> She was selected as one of the [[BBC 100 Women|BBC's 100 Women]] in 2013 and 2014.<ref>{{cite web|date=22 November 2013|title=100 Women: Who took part?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-24579511|website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=26 October 2014|title=Who are the 100 Women 2014?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-29758792|access-date=4 December 2016|publisher=BBC}}</ref> *In December 2012, Ezekwesili was named by the ''[[New African]]'' magazine as one of the 100 Most influential Africans.<ref name="influential award">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=100 Most Influential |title=100 Most Influential Africans |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/3375/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |publisher=New African |date=23 December 2012}}</ref> *In December 2014, Ezekwesili was named again among the 2014 most influential Africans - Civil Society and Activism by the ''New African'' magazine.<ref name="influential award 2">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=Most Influential |title=Civil Society & Activism |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/9340/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=NewAfrican |publisher=New African Magazine |date=22 December 2014}}</ref> *In March 2016, Ezekwesili won the 2016 New Africa women award.<ref name="women awards">{{cite news |last1=Awards |first1=women |title=New Africa |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/events/new-africa-women-awards-2016-oby-ezekwesili-zuriel-oduwole-jumoke-adenowo-and-others/hrwpp5t |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=New Africa |publisher=Pulse Ng |date=12 March 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * In July 2016, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary graduate degree by the [[University of Essex]], [[United Kingdom]], where she presented an inspiring and impassioned speech to the graduating students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www1.essex.ac.uk/news/event.aspx?e_id=10662|title=Bring Back Our Girls campaigner Obiageli Ezekwesili awarded Honorary Degree by University of Essex - News - University of Essex|website=www1.essex.ac.uk}}</ref> * In March 2019, Ezekwesili won the Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award for her efforts on the #BringBackOurGirls campaign on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|date=2019-03-26|title=Ezekwesili wins Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/322500-ezekwesili-wins-forbes-woman-africa-social-influencer-award.html|access-date=2019-03-27|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]|language=en-GB}}</ref> * In 2019, she was awarded a Richard Von Weizsäcker Fellowship at the [[Robert Bosch Academy]] in Berlin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/ezekwesili-others-bag-weizsacker-fellowship-in-germany/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Ezekwesili, others bag Weizsäcker fellowship in Germany|date = 2 September 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertboschacademy.de/en/fellow/obiageli-ezekwesili|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|website=Robert Bosch Academy}}</ref> * She was selected as a 2020 Global Leadership Awards honoree.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Vital Voices|language=en}}</ref> Also named as one of 100 visionaries featured in the 3D book "Genius:100 Visionary Thinkers launched in [[Montreal]], [[Canada]] in 2017 by Albert Einstein's Foundations. * In 2020, she was invested as a global leader by the [[Vital Voices]] Global leadership awards.<ref name="awards">{{cite web |last1=Voices |first1=Vital |title=Global Leadership Awards |url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/what-we-do/individual-investments/honoree-program-2/ |website=Vital Voices Global Partnership |publisher=Vital Voices |access-date=12 January 2022 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * She was recognized by ''Time'' magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People and by the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' as one of the 25 Women of Impact for 2015. * She holds the [[Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Public Service]] of the [[Harvard Kennedy School|Harvard Kennedy School of Government]], and the Tuft University EPIIC Jean Meyer Award. She is a Democracy Ambassador -International IDEA, and a 2018 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] nominee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biography of Dr (Mrs.) Obiageli (Oby) Katryn Ezekwesili |url=http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |website=ACUF Asthma Conference |access-date=25 May 2021 |archive-date=25 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525190036/http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> * She is one of the 100 Genius Visionaries inducted by the Genius 100 Foundation.<ref name="Honors">{{cite web |last1=Visionaries |first1=Genius 100 |title=An Active and engaged Community of 100 exceptional Individuals |url=https://www.genius100visions.com/ |website=Genius 100 visions |publisher=Genius 100 Foundation |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * In August 2021, Ezekwesili joined [[Yale University]]'s Jackson School of Global Affairs as a senior fellow.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/481907-ezekwesili-joins-yale-university-as-senior-fellow.html|title = Ezekwesili joins Yale University as senior fellow &#124; Premium Times Nigeria|date = 29 August 2021|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]}}</ref><ref name="education">{{cite web |last1=Yale |first1=University |title=Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs |url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/ |website=Yale edu |publisher=Yale University |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * On May 20, 2022, Dr Oby received the most impactful woman of the year Award. It was hosted by The [https://www.womenofinestimablevalues.org Women of inestimable values] foundation impact makers award to celebrate impact makers across the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-16 |title=Vanguard |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/wivf-recognises-impact-makers-launches-book-to-celebrate-5th-year-anniversary/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks|d=Q7074927|c=Category:Oby Ezekwesili|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}} * [https://twitter.com/obyezeks Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter] * [https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/ Obiageli Ezekwesili] * [https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili Obiageli Ezekwesili | Africa Region Vice President] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili |date=16 October 2021 }} * [https://archive.today/20130416060748/http://go.worldbank.org/0YXPCPBHW0 Interview with Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for the World Bank Africa Region]. The World Bank, November–December 2007 {{Cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo 2003-2007}} {{Human rights in Nigeria}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ezekwesili, Obiageli}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Nigerian accountants]] [[Category:Nigerian economists]] [[Category:Nigerian women economists]] [[Category:World Bank people]] [[Category:University of Lagos alumni]] [[Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni]] [[Category:Federal ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:University of Nigeria alumni]] [[Category:1963 births]] [[Category:Nigerian women activists]] [[Category:Nigerian human rights activists]] [[Category:Women government ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:Nigerian officials of the United Nations]] [[Category:Candidates for President of Nigeria]] nspudv332hfecp2jsvz90i14rjsf93e 40190 40189 2026-04-16T04:27:46Z Anniwinner 897 #IGL #FNFIGL 40190 wikitext text/x-wiki {{Short description|Nigerian accountant and politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili | image = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, 2009 World Economic Forum on Africa.jpg | office1 = Federal Minister of Solid Minerals, Nigeria | term_start1 = June 2005 | term_end1 = June 2006 | predecessor1 = [[Odion Ugbesia]] | successor1 = [[Leslye Obiora]] | office2 = Federal Minister of Education, Nigeria | term_start2 = June 2006 | term_end2 = April 2007 | predecessor2 = [[Chinwe Obaji]] | successor2 = [[Abba Sayyadi Ruma]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|04|28}} | birth_place = [[Anambra State]], Nigeria | death_date = | death_place = | party = | spouse = Chinedu Ezekwesili | education = [[Harvard Kennedy School]]<br />[[University of Lagos]]<br />[[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]] | profession = Chartered accountant, economic policy | nationality = [[Nigerian]] | children = 3 | honorific_prefix = [[Commander of the Federal Republic|CFR]] | nickname = 'Madam Due Process' }} '''Obiageli''' "'''Oby'''" '''Ezekwesili''' {{IPAc-en||audio=LL-Q33578 (ibo)-Olugold-Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili.wav}} (Ma bi ọjọ Ogwu ny'oke mẹjọ ochu ẹlẹ ọdọ 1963) ẹnẹ Naijeriya ka ki chẹ ma [[economic policy|ọda ẹnwu ki ya nẹ ọkọ wa]] nyọnyọ, ẹnẹ ki ya j'uja ẹnwu eche fẹr'eju, ohi ẹnwu eko nyọnyọ, ọda e gw'ọnyu nyọnyọ kpai unyọgba amónẹ, [[humanitarian|ẹnẹ ki ya che ẹnwu nwu ami ọja]] ka kpai manyu onwu che ẹnẹ ki chanẹ ẹnẹ a[[ACTivists|a j'uja nwu amonẹ]]. I che [[vice president|arọne agboji]] nwu [[World Bank]] (Africa region) kw'obi, i che chanẹ [[Transparency International]] I la che onẹ ka efu abo kuma chanẹ ujọ [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|#BringBackOurGirls]] manyu i che federal [[Minister (government)|Minister]] yi [[Nigeria]] onu mejí.<ref>{{Cite journal |last= |first= |date=2024 |title=Dr. Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://nigeriareposit.nln.gov.ng/handle/20.500.14186/1049 |journal=National Library of Nigeria |language=en}}</ref> Onwu ñọ [[Organizational founder|chanẹ]] #FixPolitics Initiative, ugbo ki abo kuma ch'ọma ojanẹ a che u tene,<ref name="Governance">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=#Fix |title=Governance and leadership |url=https://www.fixpolitics.org |website=#FixPolitics |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> unyi ukọchẹ eyi politics [[Policy]] and [[Governance]] (SPPG),<ref name="SPPG">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=SPPG |title=SPPG |url=https://thesppg.org/ |website=School of policy and Governance |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai Human Capital Africa.<ref name="ref">{{cite web |last1=HumCapAfrica |first1=Human Capital Africa |title=HCA |url=https://humcapafrica.org |website=Human Capital Africa |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ki amonẹ atẹ e dọ "Oby", Ezekwesili che ẹnẹ ka efu board of directors eyi [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> ẹnẹ ka efu[[Fundacao Dom Cabral]],<ref name="board fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai agboji board of trustees eyi Ehizua Hub.<ref name="chairperson ehizua">{{cite web |last1=Ehizua |first1=Ehizua |title=Ehizua Education and Creative Technology Hub |url=https://ehizua.com/ |website=Ehizua |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ezekwesili is also a [[chartered accountant]], [[public analyst]], and senior [[economic advisor]] from [[Anambra]] state.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=2020-04-18|title=Oby Ezekwesili mourns Abba Kyari|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/oby-ezekwesili-mourns-abba-kyari/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2021-02-10|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=DR OBIAGELI EZEKWESILI – 2020 APF Conference|url=https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-19|language=en|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019121722/https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesppg.org/|title=Join the Next Class|website=SPPG}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fixpolitics.org/|title=Home|website=#FixPolitics}}</ref> == Ọlayi ẹgba ejodudu kpai Ukọchẹ == Ezekwesili was born in [[Anambra State|Lagos state]] to Benjamin Ujubuonu, who died in 1988, and Cecilia Nwayiaka Ujubuonu. Ezekwesili holds a bachelor's degree from the [[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]], master's degree in [[International law|International Law]] and Diplomacy from the [[University of Lagos]], and a [[Master of Public Administration]] degree from the [[Harvard Kennedy School]] at [[Harvard University]]. She trained with the firm of [[Deloitte and Touche]] and qualified as a [[chartered accountant]].<ref name="wbank"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili {{!}} Africa Region Vice President|url=https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|access-date=2021-05-25|website=blogs.worldbank.org|date=29 September 2011|language=en|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|url-status=dead}}</ref> Prior to working for the Government of Nigeria, Ezekwesiili worked with Professor [[Jeffrey Sachs]] at the [[Center for International Development]] at Harvard as the Director of the Harvard-Nigeria Economic Strategy Project.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SPE Login|url=https://www.spe.org/appssecured/login/servlet/TpSSOServlet?resource=higherlogic|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/|title = Oby Ezekwesili}}</ref> === Ukọlọ === Ezekwesili che ukọlọ [[Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Solid Minerals]] kpai [[Federal Ministry of Education (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Education]] ubi lẹ. Kwi ochu ẹlu ọdọ 2007 ti ochu ẹlu 2012, i che arọne‑agboji nwu Africa yi [[World Bank]]. Ẹnẹ ki wa ubi nwu che [[Makhtar Diop]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|title=Makhtar Diop is new World Bank Africa head|work=Africa Review|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-UK|archive-date=11 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511001632/http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> I che fellow ogijo yi [[Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs]]. === Transparency International 1994-1999 === She was a co-founder of [[Transparency International]], serving as one of the pioneer directors of the global anti-corruption body based in [[Berlin, Germany]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Book Oby Ezekwesili as a keynote speaker|url=https://www.chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/oby-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Chartwell Speakers|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Vital Voices|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/|website=Vital Voices|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ===1999-2007=== Ezekwesili started in the [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] administration as the pioneer head of the Budget Monitoring and [[Price Intelligence]] Unit (aka Due Process Unit). It was in this position that she earned the sobriquet of "Madam Due Process" for her work of leading a team of professionals to sanitize the public procurement and contracting processes at the federal level in Nigeria.<ref name="career">{{cite web |last1=VenturesAfrica |first1=Africa |title=Madam Due Process - Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://venturesafrica.com/madam-due-processoby-ezekwesili-world-bank-former-vice-president-for-africa/ |website=Venturesafrica.com |date=22 September 2012 |publisher=Ventures |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="research">{{cite journal |last1=Due process |first1=madam |title=University of Lagos - A study of the public Life of Madam Due Process |journal=Lagos Notes and Records |date=28 February 2021 |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=225–248 |url=http://lnr.unilag.edu.ng/article/view/1200 |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> She was the architect of the Bureau for Public Procurement legislation, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) legislation, and the new Minerals and Mining legislation during her six and a half year stint in government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=InvestEgate {{!}} Company Announcements {{!}} Home {{!}} FTSE 100, 250, AIM, techMARK|url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/|website=www.investegate.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Solid Minerals ==== In June 2005, Ezekwesili was appointed Minister of Solid Minerals (Mines and Steel), where she led a reform program that led to Nigeria's global recognition as a credible mining investment destination. She was also the Chairperson of the NEITI, and led the first national implementation of the global standards and principles of transparency in the oil, gas and mining sector.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UNESCO|url=https://en.unesco.org/|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Education ==== In June 2006, Ezekwesili was appointed the Federal Minister of Education, a post she held until she took up a [[World Bank]] appointment in May 2007.<ref name="wbank">{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/0,,contentMDK:21270986~menuPK:258657~pagePK:2865106~piPK:2865128~theSitePK:258644,00.html |title=Obiageli Ezekwesili Appointed As Vice President for the Africa Region |date=23 March 2007 |publisher=The World Bank |access-date=19 February 2010}}</ref> While in government, Ezekwesili led the restructuring and refocusing of the Education Ministry for the attainment of [[Education For All|Education for All]] (EfA) targets and [[Millennium Development Goals]]. She also introduced [[public-private partnership]]s for education service delivery, revamped the Federal Inspectorate Service as an improved quality assurance mechanism, and introduced transparency and accountability mechanisms for better governance of the budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proshareng.com/news/People/Profile--Ms-Obiageli-Katryn-Ezekwesili----Accountability-&-Transparency-Quest/19200|title = Profile: Ms Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili - Accountability & Transparency Quest}}</ref> === Vice president, World Bank's Africa region === In March 2007, [[World Bank]] President [[Paul Wolfowitz]] announced the appointment of Ezekwesili as vice president for the Africa region starting on 1 May 2007.<ref name="wbank" /> In 2012, she successfully completed her stint as vice president for the World Bank's Africa region.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Egbas|first=Jude|title=10 amazing things you didn"t know about Oby Ezekwesili|language=en-US|url=http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|access-date=2017-10-07|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007222903/http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> As vice president, she was in charge of the bank's operations of 48 countries in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]] and supervised a lending portfolio of over $40 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Social Media Week|url=https://socialmediaweek.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=Social Media Week|language=en-US|archive-date=23 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523050956/https://socialmediaweek.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Later career== As a senior economic advisor for [[Open Society Foundations|Open Society]], a group founded by [[George Soros]], Ezekwesili advises nine reform-committed African heads of state including [[Paul Kagame]] of [[Rwanda]] and [[Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf]] of [[Liberia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Somerville College Oxford|url=https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/|website=www.some.ox.ac.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> === Board memberships === On 1 October 2012, one of the world's leading telecommunications firms, [[Bharti Airtel]], with operations in 20 countries, named Ezekwesili as a director on its board. She is also on the boards of [[World Wildlife Fund]], the School of Public Policy of [[Central European University]], the Harold Hartog School of Government and Policy, ''[[New African]]'' magazine, [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board_wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> [[Fundacao Dom Cabral]]<ref name="board_fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |publisher=FDC |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and the Center for Global Leadership [[Tufts University]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The World Economic Forum|url=https://www.weforum.org/|website=World Economic Forum|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> In April 2020, she was appointed to the board of trustees of the [[International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation]] where she contributes to overseeing their expansion in developing economies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IBFD Your Portal to Cross Border Tax Expertise|url=https://www.ibfd.org/|website=www.ibfd.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> She is also the co-chair of the [[World Economic Forum]] Africa Regional Stewardship Board.<ref name="Honorary">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Co-chair of Africa Regional Board World Economic Forum |url=https://www.weforum.org/people/obiageli-katryn-ezekwesili |website=Weforum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="enlist_Honor">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Launch of Davos Friends of Africa Growth Platform |url=https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/01/launch-of-davos-friends-of-africa-growth-platform/ |website=world Economic Forum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=University of Cape Town |first1=UCT |title=WEF names Pityana as co-chair of its Africa board |url=http://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2020-01-31-wef-names-pityana-as-co-chair-of-its-africa-board |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=University of Cape Town |publisher=University of Cape Town News |date=31 January 2020}}</ref> In January 2019, Ezekwesili was appointed on the advisory board of directors<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-12|title=Oby Ezekwesili launches scholarship programme for young Nigerian women|url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US|archive-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204022658/https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|url-status=dead}}</ref> of Nexford University in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington DC]] and subsequently launched a scholarship program dedicated to women in [[Nigeria]]. In December 2021, Nexford University appointed her as a member of its board of directors.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-18|title=Nexford University Appoints Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili Into Board Of Directors|url=https://geeky.com.ng/nexford-university-appoints-dr-obiageli-ezekwesili-into-board-of-directors/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Geeky Nigeria|language=en-US}}</ref> She is also the Senior Economic Adviser to the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative<ref name="senior_adviser">{{cite web |last1=Economic Advisory |first1=aedpi |title=Senior Economic Adviser Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative |url=https://theaedpi.org/ |website=theaedpi |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and a member of the advisory board of the [[Institute for State Effectiveness]].<ref name="advisory_board_of_effectiveness">{{cite web |last1=Advisory Board |first1=member |title=The Institute for State Effectiveness |url=https://effectivestates.org/who-we-are/ |website=effectivestates.org |publisher=ISE |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> === Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign === In March 2014, Ezekwesili delivered a speech at the national summit of the [[All Progressives Congress]] (APC), Nigeria's leading opposition party. She criticized the many cross-carpeting governors and urged the party to have "a conversation deeper than how you're going to chase (the ruling) PDP out of power".<ref>Ayokunle Odekunle, [http://www.ynaija.com/ten-things-you-should-know-about-oby-ezekwesilis-speech-at-the-apc-national-summit/ "10 things you SHOULD know about Oby Ezekwesili's speech at the APC National summit"], Naija.com.</ref> After [[2014 Chibok kidnapping|nearly 300 mainly Christian girls were abducted]] from [[Chibok]] by the [[Islamist]] militant group [[Boko Haram]],<ref>David Smith, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/nigeria-launches-military-operation-to-find-kidnapped-girls "Military operation launched to locate kidnapped Nigerian girls"], ''The Guardian'', 14 May 2014: "Although most of the abducted girls are Christian, all were wearing Muslim dress and two were singled out to say they had converted to Islam."</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27389082 "Nigeria abduction video: Schoolgirls 'recognised'"], BBC, 13 May 2014: "The girls' families have said that most of those seized are Christians, although there are a number of Muslims among them."</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Terrorists kidnap more than 200 Nigerian girls|date=21 April 2014|work=USA Today|first=Oren|last=Dorell|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/21/parents-234-girls-kidnapped-from-nigeria-school/7958307/|access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref> Ezekwesili used the [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|Bring Back Our Girls]] (BBOG) advocacy group to draw global attention to the plight of all persons who have been abducted by terrorists from Nigeria's war ravaged northeast region.<ref name=":0" /> She was instrumental to the start of the viral [[#Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign]] on social media, which trended internationally. On 23 April, at the opening ceremony for a [[UNESCO]] event honoring the city of [[Port Harcourt]] as the 2014 [[World Book Capital]] city, she urged Nigerians to not just tweet but actively participate in efforts to "bring back our girls".<ref>Nadia Nasanovsky, [http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/158929/a-global-effort-to-%E2%80%98bring-back-our-girls%E2%80%99 "A global effort to ‘Bring Back Our Girls’"], ''Buenos Aires herald'', 8 May 2014.</ref><ref>Emma Howard, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/07/bring-back-our-girls-global-protests-abduction-nigerian-schoolgirls "Bring back our girls: global protests over abduction of Nigerian schoolgirls"], ''The Guardian'', 7 May 2014.</ref><ref name="cnn_gps">{{cite news |last1=GPS |first1=Chibok |title=On GPS: Where are the missing Chibok girls? |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2019/01/11/exp-gps-0113-ezekwesili-on-chibok-girls-still-captured.cnn |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=CNN |publisher=Fareed Zakaria |date=11 January 2019}}</ref> As she prepared to board a [[British Airways]] flight to London to appear on the [[BBC]] programme ''[[Hard Talk]]'' in July 2014, she was detained by Nigeria's secret service, the [[State Security Service (Nigeria)|SSS]], who also seized her passport.<ref>[http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ "OUTRAGE: BBOG coordinator, Oby Ezekwesili arrested, released"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728092712/http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ |date=28 July 2014 }}, ''Today'', 14 July 2014.</ref><ref>[http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html "#BringBackOurGirls: Oby Ezekwesili detained by SSS officials in Abuja"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324004422/http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html |date=24 March 2017 }}, Pulse.ng, 21 July 2014.</ref> She was later released the same morning. She is the founder and convener of the #RedCardMovement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dailytrust.com/womens-march-celebrating-obys-passion-for-a-new-nigeria/|title=Women's March: celebrating Oby's passion for a new Nigeria|date=March 2021 |accessdate=26 August 2024|newspaper=[[Daily Trust]]}}</ref> == 2019 presidential election== {{Main|2019 Nigerian general election}} Ezekwesili contested for the office of the [[president of Nigeria]] on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack">{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili: Values and vision divergence with ACPN triggered my withdrawal presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152951/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The former minister had hinted at contesting for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/obyezeks/status/1039795704712097792|title=Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en}}</ref> At an event commemorating the 58th anniversary of Nigeria's independence, Pastor [[Tunde Bakare]] announced that she would be running for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-oby-ezekwesili-contest-president-says-tunde-bakare|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare - TheCable|date=2018-10-01|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US|newspaper=[[TheCable]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Oluwamayowa Tijani|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare|date=2018-10-01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-02}}{{cbignore}}</ref> One of her campaign promises was to lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili officially flags off presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |access-date=8 January 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oaktv |date=8 January 2019 |archive-date=8 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108200631/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="cnn_amanpour">{{cite web |last1=Amanpour |first1=Christine |title=Ezekwesili's interview with Christine Amanpour |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2018/11/21/nigerian-presidential-candidate-oby-ezekwesili-amanpour.cnn |website=CNN |date=21 November 2018 |publisher=Christine Amanpour |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="yahoo_abrams">{{cite web |last1=Abrams |first1=Stacey |title=Stacey Abrams interviews Ezekwesili |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |website=yahoo |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113193715/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 24 January 2019, Ezekwesili withdrew from the presidential race,<ref>{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili withdraws from presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152929/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> owing to a divergence of values and visions with her political party.<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack"/> However, later in the day, the [[Independent National Electoral Commission (Nigeria)|Independent National Electoral Commission]]<ref>{{cite news |title=INEC Receives N198bn for General Election |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152753/https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> said it was too late for anyone to withdraw from the race because the ballot materials had already been prepared. For that reason, the crest of the party would still appear.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ezekwesili: It's too late for candidates to step down, says INEC |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152838/https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Fela Durotoye]] commended Ezekwesili for taking the lead and clamouring for a coalition to end the rule of #APCPDP.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fela Durotoye Commends Oby Ezekwesili, expresses commitment to renew search for coalition candidate |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=24 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124212611/https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 4 February 2019, Ezekwesili organised a press conference in NICON Luxury Hall, Abuja. She spoke during her press conference about her rough political journey while campaigning for the office of the President of Nigeria under the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=INSIDE DETAILS: Oby Ezekwesili opens up on her rough political journey |url=https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015323/https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> She also gave a motivational speech as she stepped down from the 2019 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili's emotional speech as she takes a bow from 2019 presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015320/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 7 February 2019, Ezekwesili published her campaign finances. The report shows she spent 48 million Naira between 1 October 2018 and 2 February 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/oby-ezekwesili-publishes-campaign-finances/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Oby Ezekwesili publishes campaign finances|date = 7 February 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref> == Personal life == Oby is married to Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili of the [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]] (RCCG) and has three sons: Chinemelum, Chinweuba and Chidera.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Oby Ezekwesili Offers Marriage Tips To Young Nigerians|language=en-gb|work=Nigeriafilms.com|url=https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|access-date=2018-05-24|archive-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524222825/https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2021, Ezekwesili submitted a petition to the [[Inspector General of Police (Nigeria)|Inspector General of Police]] against [[Japheth J. Omojuwa|Japhet Omojuwa]], accusing him of fraudulently using her name as a director in his firm, Alpha Reach Company Limited.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-04-16|title=Fraud: Ezekwesili submits evidence against Omojuwa to IGP, demands prosecution|url=https://punchng.com/fraud-ezekwesili-submits-evidence-against-omojuwa-to-ig-demands-prosecution/|access-date=2021-04-17|newspaper=[[The Punch]]|language=en-US}}</ref> == Awards and recognition == * In 2006, Ezekwesili was given the national award of [[Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic]] (CFR).<ref name="auto"/> * In May 2012, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (DSC) degree by the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nexford University|url=https://www.nexford.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=www.nexford.org|language=en}}</ref> She was selected as one of the [[BBC 100 Women|BBC's 100 Women]] in 2013 and 2014.<ref>{{cite web|date=22 November 2013|title=100 Women: Who took part?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-24579511|website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=26 October 2014|title=Who are the 100 Women 2014?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-29758792|access-date=4 December 2016|publisher=BBC}}</ref> *In December 2012, Ezekwesili was named by the ''[[New African]]'' magazine as one of the 100 Most influential Africans.<ref name="influential award">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=100 Most Influential |title=100 Most Influential Africans |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/3375/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |publisher=New African |date=23 December 2012}}</ref> *In December 2014, Ezekwesili was named again among the 2014 most influential Africans - Civil Society and Activism by the ''New African'' magazine.<ref name="influential award 2">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=Most Influential |title=Civil Society & Activism |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/9340/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=NewAfrican |publisher=New African Magazine |date=22 December 2014}}</ref> *In March 2016, Ezekwesili won the 2016 New Africa women award.<ref name="women awards">{{cite news |last1=Awards |first1=women |title=New Africa |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/events/new-africa-women-awards-2016-oby-ezekwesili-zuriel-oduwole-jumoke-adenowo-and-others/hrwpp5t |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=New Africa |publisher=Pulse Ng |date=12 March 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * In July 2016, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary graduate degree by the [[University of Essex]], [[United Kingdom]], where she presented an inspiring and impassioned speech to the graduating students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www1.essex.ac.uk/news/event.aspx?e_id=10662|title=Bring Back Our Girls campaigner Obiageli Ezekwesili awarded Honorary Degree by University of Essex - News - University of Essex|website=www1.essex.ac.uk}}</ref> * In March 2019, Ezekwesili won the Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award for her efforts on the #BringBackOurGirls campaign on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|date=2019-03-26|title=Ezekwesili wins Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/322500-ezekwesili-wins-forbes-woman-africa-social-influencer-award.html|access-date=2019-03-27|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]|language=en-GB}}</ref> * In 2019, she was awarded a Richard Von Weizsäcker Fellowship at the [[Robert Bosch Academy]] in Berlin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/ezekwesili-others-bag-weizsacker-fellowship-in-germany/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Ezekwesili, others bag Weizsäcker fellowship in Germany|date = 2 September 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertboschacademy.de/en/fellow/obiageli-ezekwesili|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|website=Robert Bosch Academy}}</ref> * She was selected as a 2020 Global Leadership Awards honoree.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Vital Voices|language=en}}</ref> Also named as one of 100 visionaries featured in the 3D book "Genius:100 Visionary Thinkers launched in [[Montreal]], [[Canada]] in 2017 by Albert Einstein's Foundations. * In 2020, she was invested as a global leader by the [[Vital Voices]] Global leadership awards.<ref name="awards">{{cite web |last1=Voices |first1=Vital |title=Global Leadership Awards |url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/what-we-do/individual-investments/honoree-program-2/ |website=Vital Voices Global Partnership |publisher=Vital Voices |access-date=12 January 2022 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * She was recognized by ''Time'' magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People and by the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' as one of the 25 Women of Impact for 2015. * She holds the [[Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Public Service]] of the [[Harvard Kennedy School|Harvard Kennedy School of Government]], and the Tuft University EPIIC Jean Meyer Award. She is a Democracy Ambassador -International IDEA, and a 2018 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] nominee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biography of Dr (Mrs.) Obiageli (Oby) Katryn Ezekwesili |url=http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |website=ACUF Asthma Conference |access-date=25 May 2021 |archive-date=25 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525190036/http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> * She is one of the 100 Genius Visionaries inducted by the Genius 100 Foundation.<ref name="Honors">{{cite web |last1=Visionaries |first1=Genius 100 |title=An Active and engaged Community of 100 exceptional Individuals |url=https://www.genius100visions.com/ |website=Genius 100 visions |publisher=Genius 100 Foundation |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * In August 2021, Ezekwesili joined [[Yale University]]'s Jackson School of Global Affairs as a senior fellow.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/481907-ezekwesili-joins-yale-university-as-senior-fellow.html|title = Ezekwesili joins Yale University as senior fellow &#124; Premium Times Nigeria|date = 29 August 2021|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]}}</ref><ref name="education">{{cite web |last1=Yale |first1=University |title=Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs |url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/ |website=Yale edu |publisher=Yale University |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * On May 20, 2022, Dr Oby received the most impactful woman of the year Award. It was hosted by The [https://www.womenofinestimablevalues.org Women of inestimable values] foundation impact makers award to celebrate impact makers across the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-16 |title=Vanguard |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/wivf-recognises-impact-makers-launches-book-to-celebrate-5th-year-anniversary/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks|d=Q7074927|c=Category:Oby Ezekwesili|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}} * [https://twitter.com/obyezeks Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter] * [https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/ Obiageli Ezekwesili] * [https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili Obiageli Ezekwesili | Africa Region Vice President] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili |date=16 October 2021 }} * [https://archive.today/20130416060748/http://go.worldbank.org/0YXPCPBHW0 Interview with Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for the World Bank Africa Region]. The World Bank, November–December 2007 {{Cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo 2003-2007}} {{Human rights in Nigeria}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ezekwesili, Obiageli}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Nigerian accountants]] [[Category:Nigerian economists]] [[Category:Nigerian women economists]] [[Category:World Bank people]] [[Category:University of Lagos alumni]] [[Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni]] [[Category:Federal ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:University of Nigeria alumni]] [[Category:1963 births]] [[Category:Nigerian women activists]] [[Category:Nigerian human rights activists]] [[Category:Women government ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:Nigerian officials of the United Nations]] [[Category:Candidates for President of Nigeria]] hue4bm7hir91eym6x00m8bcc8wk7v00 40191 40190 2026-04-16T04:29:13Z Anniwinner 897 #IGL #FNFIGL 40191 wikitext text/x-wiki {{Short description|Nigerian accountant and politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili | image = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, 2009 World Economic Forum on Africa.jpg | office1 = Federal Minister of Solid Minerals, Nigeria | term_start1 = June 2005 | term_end1 = June 2006 | predecessor1 = [[Odion Ugbesia]] | successor1 = [[Leslye Obiora]] | office2 = Federal Minister of Education, Nigeria | term_start2 = June 2006 | term_end2 = April 2007 | predecessor2 = [[Chinwe Obaji]] | successor2 = [[Abba Sayyadi Ruma]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|04|28}} | birth_place = [[Anambra State]], Nigeria | death_date = | death_place = | party = | spouse = Chinedu Ezekwesili | education = [[Harvard Kennedy School]]<br />[[University of Lagos]]<br />[[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]] | profession = Chartered accountant, economic policy | nationality = [[Nigerian]] | children = 3 | honorific_prefix = [[Commander of the Federal Republic|CFR]] | nickname = 'Madam Due Process' }} '''Obiageli''' "'''Oby'''" '''Ezekwesili''' {{IPAc-en||audio=LL-Q33578 (ibo)-Olugold-Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili.wav}} (Ma bi ọjọ Ogwu ny'oke mẹjọ ochu ẹlẹ ọdọ 1963) ẹnẹ Naijeriya ka ki chẹ ma [[economic policy|ọda ẹnwu ki ya nẹ ọkọ wa]] nyọnyọ, ẹnẹ ki ya j'uja ẹnwu eche fẹr'eju, ohi ẹnwu eko nyọnyọ, ọda e gw'ọnyu nyọnyọ kpai unyọgba amónẹ, [[humanitarian|ẹnẹ ki ya che ẹnwu nwu ami ọja]] ka kpai manyu onwu che ẹnẹ ki chanẹ ẹnẹ a[[ACTivists|a j'uja nwu amonẹ]]. I che [[vice president|arọne agboji]] nwu [[World Bank]] (Africa region) kw'obi, i che chanẹ [[Transparency International]] I la che onẹ ka efu abo kuma chanẹ ujọ [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|#BringBackOurGirls]] manyu i che federal [[Minister (government)|Minister]] yi [[Nigeria]] onu mejí.<ref>{{Cite journal |last= |first= |date=2024 |title=Dr. Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://nigeriareposit.nln.gov.ng/handle/20.500.14186/1049 |journal=National Library of Nigeria |language=en}}</ref> Onwu ñọ [[Organizational founder|chanẹ]] #FixPolitics Initiative, ugbo ki abo kuma ch'ọma ojanẹ a che u tene,<ref name="Governance">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=#Fix |title=Governance and leadership |url=https://www.fixpolitics.org |website=#FixPolitics |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> unyi ukọchẹ eyi politics [[Policy]] and [[Governance]] (SPPG),<ref name="SPPG">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=SPPG |title=SPPG |url=https://thesppg.org/ |website=School of policy and Governance |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai Human Capital Africa.<ref name="ref">{{cite web |last1=HumCapAfrica |first1=Human Capital Africa |title=HCA |url=https://humcapafrica.org |website=Human Capital Africa |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ki amonẹ atẹ e dọ "Oby", Ezekwesili che ẹnẹ ka efu board of directors eyi [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> ẹnẹ ka efu[[Fundacao Dom Cabral]],<ref name="board fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai agboji board of trustees eyi Ehizua Hub.<ref name="chairperson ehizua">{{cite web |last1=Ehizua |first1=Ehizua |title=Ehizua Education and Creative Technology Hub |url=https://ehizua.com/ |website=Ehizua |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ezekwesili is also a [[chartered accountant]], [[public analyst]], and senior [[economic advisor]] from [[Anambra]] state.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=2020-04-18|title=Oby Ezekwesili mourns Abba Kyari|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/oby-ezekwesili-mourns-abba-kyari/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2021-02-10|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=DR OBIAGELI EZEKWESILI – 2020 APF Conference|url=https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-19|language=en|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019121722/https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesppg.org/|title=Join the Next Class|website=SPPG}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fixpolitics.org/|title=Home|website=#FixPolitics}}</ref> == Ọlayi ẹgba ejodudu kpai Ukọchẹ == Ma bi Ezekwesili yi [[Anambra State|Lagos state]] nwu Benjamin Ujubuonu, ki kwu efu ọdọ 1988, kpai Cecilia Nwayiaka Ujubuonu. Ezekwesili holds a bachelor's degree from the [[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]], master's degree in [[International law|International Law]] and Diplomacy from the [[University of Lagos]], and a [[Master of Public Administration]] degree from the [[Harvard Kennedy School]] at [[Harvard University]]. She trained with the firm of [[Deloitte and Touche]] and qualified as a [[chartered accountant]].<ref name="wbank"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili {{!}} Africa Region Vice President|url=https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|access-date=2021-05-25|website=blogs.worldbank.org|date=29 September 2011|language=en|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|url-status=dead}}</ref> Prior to working for the Government of Nigeria, Ezekwesiili worked with Professor [[Jeffrey Sachs]] at the [[Center for International Development]] at Harvard as the Director of the Harvard-Nigeria Economic Strategy Project.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SPE Login|url=https://www.spe.org/appssecured/login/servlet/TpSSOServlet?resource=higherlogic|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/|title = Oby Ezekwesili}}</ref> === Ukọlọ === Ezekwesili che ukọlọ [[Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Solid Minerals]] kpai [[Federal Ministry of Education (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Education]] ubi lẹ. Kwi ochu ẹlu ọdọ 2007 ti ochu ẹlu 2012, i che arọne‑agboji nwu Africa yi [[World Bank]]. Ẹnẹ ki wa ubi nwu che [[Makhtar Diop]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|title=Makhtar Diop is new World Bank Africa head|work=Africa Review|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-UK|archive-date=11 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511001632/http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> I che fellow ogijo yi [[Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs]]. === Transparency International 1994-1999 === She was a co-founder of [[Transparency International]], serving as one of the pioneer directors of the global anti-corruption body based in [[Berlin, Germany]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Book Oby Ezekwesili as a keynote speaker|url=https://www.chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/oby-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Chartwell Speakers|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Vital Voices|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/|website=Vital Voices|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ===1999-2007=== Ezekwesili started in the [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] administration as the pioneer head of the Budget Monitoring and [[Price Intelligence]] Unit (aka Due Process Unit). It was in this position that she earned the sobriquet of "Madam Due Process" for her work of leading a team of professionals to sanitize the public procurement and contracting processes at the federal level in Nigeria.<ref name="career">{{cite web |last1=VenturesAfrica |first1=Africa |title=Madam Due Process - Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://venturesafrica.com/madam-due-processoby-ezekwesili-world-bank-former-vice-president-for-africa/ |website=Venturesafrica.com |date=22 September 2012 |publisher=Ventures |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="research">{{cite journal |last1=Due process |first1=madam |title=University of Lagos - A study of the public Life of Madam Due Process |journal=Lagos Notes and Records |date=28 February 2021 |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=225–248 |url=http://lnr.unilag.edu.ng/article/view/1200 |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> She was the architect of the Bureau for Public Procurement legislation, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) legislation, and the new Minerals and Mining legislation during her six and a half year stint in government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=InvestEgate {{!}} Company Announcements {{!}} Home {{!}} FTSE 100, 250, AIM, techMARK|url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/|website=www.investegate.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Solid Minerals ==== In June 2005, Ezekwesili was appointed Minister of Solid Minerals (Mines and Steel), where she led a reform program that led to Nigeria's global recognition as a credible mining investment destination. She was also the Chairperson of the NEITI, and led the first national implementation of the global standards and principles of transparency in the oil, gas and mining sector.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UNESCO|url=https://en.unesco.org/|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Education ==== In June 2006, Ezekwesili was appointed the Federal Minister of Education, a post she held until she took up a [[World Bank]] appointment in May 2007.<ref name="wbank">{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/0,,contentMDK:21270986~menuPK:258657~pagePK:2865106~piPK:2865128~theSitePK:258644,00.html |title=Obiageli Ezekwesili Appointed As Vice President for the Africa Region |date=23 March 2007 |publisher=The World Bank |access-date=19 February 2010}}</ref> While in government, Ezekwesili led the restructuring and refocusing of the Education Ministry for the attainment of [[Education For All|Education for All]] (EfA) targets and [[Millennium Development Goals]]. She also introduced [[public-private partnership]]s for education service delivery, revamped the Federal Inspectorate Service as an improved quality assurance mechanism, and introduced transparency and accountability mechanisms for better governance of the budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proshareng.com/news/People/Profile--Ms-Obiageli-Katryn-Ezekwesili----Accountability-&-Transparency-Quest/19200|title = Profile: Ms Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili - Accountability & Transparency Quest}}</ref> === Vice president, World Bank's Africa region === In March 2007, [[World Bank]] President [[Paul Wolfowitz]] announced the appointment of Ezekwesili as vice president for the Africa region starting on 1 May 2007.<ref name="wbank" /> In 2012, she successfully completed her stint as vice president for the World Bank's Africa region.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Egbas|first=Jude|title=10 amazing things you didn"t know about Oby Ezekwesili|language=en-US|url=http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|access-date=2017-10-07|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007222903/http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> As vice president, she was in charge of the bank's operations of 48 countries in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]] and supervised a lending portfolio of over $40 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Social Media Week|url=https://socialmediaweek.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=Social Media Week|language=en-US|archive-date=23 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523050956/https://socialmediaweek.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Later career== As a senior economic advisor for [[Open Society Foundations|Open Society]], a group founded by [[George Soros]], Ezekwesili advises nine reform-committed African heads of state including [[Paul Kagame]] of [[Rwanda]] and [[Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf]] of [[Liberia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Somerville College Oxford|url=https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/|website=www.some.ox.ac.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> === Board memberships === On 1 October 2012, one of the world's leading telecommunications firms, [[Bharti Airtel]], with operations in 20 countries, named Ezekwesili as a director on its board. She is also on the boards of [[World Wildlife Fund]], the School of Public Policy of [[Central European University]], the Harold Hartog School of Government and Policy, ''[[New African]]'' magazine, [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board_wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> [[Fundacao Dom Cabral]]<ref name="board_fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |publisher=FDC |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and the Center for Global Leadership [[Tufts University]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The World Economic Forum|url=https://www.weforum.org/|website=World Economic Forum|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> In April 2020, she was appointed to the board of trustees of the [[International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation]] where she contributes to overseeing their expansion in developing economies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IBFD Your Portal to Cross Border Tax Expertise|url=https://www.ibfd.org/|website=www.ibfd.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> She is also the co-chair of the [[World Economic Forum]] Africa Regional Stewardship Board.<ref name="Honorary">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Co-chair of Africa Regional Board World Economic Forum |url=https://www.weforum.org/people/obiageli-katryn-ezekwesili |website=Weforum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="enlist_Honor">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Launch of Davos Friends of Africa Growth Platform |url=https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/01/launch-of-davos-friends-of-africa-growth-platform/ |website=world Economic Forum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=University of Cape Town |first1=UCT |title=WEF names Pityana as co-chair of its Africa board |url=http://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2020-01-31-wef-names-pityana-as-co-chair-of-its-africa-board |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=University of Cape Town |publisher=University of Cape Town News |date=31 January 2020}}</ref> In January 2019, Ezekwesili was appointed on the advisory board of directors<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-12|title=Oby Ezekwesili launches scholarship programme for young Nigerian women|url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US|archive-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204022658/https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|url-status=dead}}</ref> of Nexford University in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington DC]] and subsequently launched a scholarship program dedicated to women in [[Nigeria]]. In December 2021, Nexford University appointed her as a member of its board of directors.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-18|title=Nexford University Appoints Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili Into Board Of Directors|url=https://geeky.com.ng/nexford-university-appoints-dr-obiageli-ezekwesili-into-board-of-directors/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Geeky Nigeria|language=en-US}}</ref> She is also the Senior Economic Adviser to the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative<ref name="senior_adviser">{{cite web |last1=Economic Advisory |first1=aedpi |title=Senior Economic Adviser Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative |url=https://theaedpi.org/ |website=theaedpi |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and a member of the advisory board of the [[Institute for State Effectiveness]].<ref name="advisory_board_of_effectiveness">{{cite web |last1=Advisory Board |first1=member |title=The Institute for State Effectiveness |url=https://effectivestates.org/who-we-are/ |website=effectivestates.org |publisher=ISE |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> === Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign === In March 2014, Ezekwesili delivered a speech at the national summit of the [[All Progressives Congress]] (APC), Nigeria's leading opposition party. She criticized the many cross-carpeting governors and urged the party to have "a conversation deeper than how you're going to chase (the ruling) PDP out of power".<ref>Ayokunle Odekunle, [http://www.ynaija.com/ten-things-you-should-know-about-oby-ezekwesilis-speech-at-the-apc-national-summit/ "10 things you SHOULD know about Oby Ezekwesili's speech at the APC National summit"], Naija.com.</ref> After [[2014 Chibok kidnapping|nearly 300 mainly Christian girls were abducted]] from [[Chibok]] by the [[Islamist]] militant group [[Boko Haram]],<ref>David Smith, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/nigeria-launches-military-operation-to-find-kidnapped-girls "Military operation launched to locate kidnapped Nigerian girls"], ''The Guardian'', 14 May 2014: "Although most of the abducted girls are Christian, all were wearing Muslim dress and two were singled out to say they had converted to Islam."</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27389082 "Nigeria abduction video: Schoolgirls 'recognised'"], BBC, 13 May 2014: "The girls' families have said that most of those seized are Christians, although there are a number of Muslims among them."</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Terrorists kidnap more than 200 Nigerian girls|date=21 April 2014|work=USA Today|first=Oren|last=Dorell|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/21/parents-234-girls-kidnapped-from-nigeria-school/7958307/|access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref> Ezekwesili used the [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|Bring Back Our Girls]] (BBOG) advocacy group to draw global attention to the plight of all persons who have been abducted by terrorists from Nigeria's war ravaged northeast region.<ref name=":0" /> She was instrumental to the start of the viral [[#Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign]] on social media, which trended internationally. On 23 April, at the opening ceremony for a [[UNESCO]] event honoring the city of [[Port Harcourt]] as the 2014 [[World Book Capital]] city, she urged Nigerians to not just tweet but actively participate in efforts to "bring back our girls".<ref>Nadia Nasanovsky, [http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/158929/a-global-effort-to-%E2%80%98bring-back-our-girls%E2%80%99 "A global effort to ‘Bring Back Our Girls’"], ''Buenos Aires herald'', 8 May 2014.</ref><ref>Emma Howard, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/07/bring-back-our-girls-global-protests-abduction-nigerian-schoolgirls "Bring back our girls: global protests over abduction of Nigerian schoolgirls"], ''The Guardian'', 7 May 2014.</ref><ref name="cnn_gps">{{cite news |last1=GPS |first1=Chibok |title=On GPS: Where are the missing Chibok girls? |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2019/01/11/exp-gps-0113-ezekwesili-on-chibok-girls-still-captured.cnn |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=CNN |publisher=Fareed Zakaria |date=11 January 2019}}</ref> As she prepared to board a [[British Airways]] flight to London to appear on the [[BBC]] programme ''[[Hard Talk]]'' in July 2014, she was detained by Nigeria's secret service, the [[State Security Service (Nigeria)|SSS]], who also seized her passport.<ref>[http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ "OUTRAGE: BBOG coordinator, Oby Ezekwesili arrested, released"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728092712/http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ |date=28 July 2014 }}, ''Today'', 14 July 2014.</ref><ref>[http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html "#BringBackOurGirls: Oby Ezekwesili detained by SSS officials in Abuja"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324004422/http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html |date=24 March 2017 }}, Pulse.ng, 21 July 2014.</ref> She was later released the same morning. She is the founder and convener of the #RedCardMovement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dailytrust.com/womens-march-celebrating-obys-passion-for-a-new-nigeria/|title=Women's March: celebrating Oby's passion for a new Nigeria|date=March 2021 |accessdate=26 August 2024|newspaper=[[Daily Trust]]}}</ref> == 2019 presidential election== {{Main|2019 Nigerian general election}} Ezekwesili contested for the office of the [[president of Nigeria]] on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack">{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili: Values and vision divergence with ACPN triggered my withdrawal presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152951/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The former minister had hinted at contesting for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/obyezeks/status/1039795704712097792|title=Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en}}</ref> At an event commemorating the 58th anniversary of Nigeria's independence, Pastor [[Tunde Bakare]] announced that she would be running for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-oby-ezekwesili-contest-president-says-tunde-bakare|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare - TheCable|date=2018-10-01|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US|newspaper=[[TheCable]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Oluwamayowa Tijani|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare|date=2018-10-01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-02}}{{cbignore}}</ref> One of her campaign promises was to lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili officially flags off presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |access-date=8 January 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oaktv |date=8 January 2019 |archive-date=8 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108200631/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="cnn_amanpour">{{cite web |last1=Amanpour |first1=Christine |title=Ezekwesili's interview with Christine Amanpour |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2018/11/21/nigerian-presidential-candidate-oby-ezekwesili-amanpour.cnn |website=CNN |date=21 November 2018 |publisher=Christine Amanpour |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="yahoo_abrams">{{cite web |last1=Abrams |first1=Stacey |title=Stacey Abrams interviews Ezekwesili |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |website=yahoo |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113193715/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 24 January 2019, Ezekwesili withdrew from the presidential race,<ref>{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili withdraws from presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152929/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> owing to a divergence of values and visions with her political party.<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack"/> However, later in the day, the [[Independent National Electoral Commission (Nigeria)|Independent National Electoral Commission]]<ref>{{cite news |title=INEC Receives N198bn for General Election |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152753/https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> said it was too late for anyone to withdraw from the race because the ballot materials had already been prepared. For that reason, the crest of the party would still appear.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ezekwesili: It's too late for candidates to step down, says INEC |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152838/https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Fela Durotoye]] commended Ezekwesili for taking the lead and clamouring for a coalition to end the rule of #APCPDP.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fela Durotoye Commends Oby Ezekwesili, expresses commitment to renew search for coalition candidate |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=24 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124212611/https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 4 February 2019, Ezekwesili organised a press conference in NICON Luxury Hall, Abuja. She spoke during her press conference about her rough political journey while campaigning for the office of the President of Nigeria under the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=INSIDE DETAILS: Oby Ezekwesili opens up on her rough political journey |url=https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015323/https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> She also gave a motivational speech as she stepped down from the 2019 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili's emotional speech as she takes a bow from 2019 presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015320/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 7 February 2019, Ezekwesili published her campaign finances. The report shows she spent 48 million Naira between 1 October 2018 and 2 February 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/oby-ezekwesili-publishes-campaign-finances/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Oby Ezekwesili publishes campaign finances|date = 7 February 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref> == Personal life == Oby is married to Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili of the [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]] (RCCG) and has three sons: Chinemelum, Chinweuba and Chidera.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Oby Ezekwesili Offers Marriage Tips To Young Nigerians|language=en-gb|work=Nigeriafilms.com|url=https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|access-date=2018-05-24|archive-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524222825/https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2021, Ezekwesili submitted a petition to the [[Inspector General of Police (Nigeria)|Inspector General of Police]] against [[Japheth J. Omojuwa|Japhet Omojuwa]], accusing him of fraudulently using her name as a director in his firm, Alpha Reach Company Limited.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-04-16|title=Fraud: Ezekwesili submits evidence against Omojuwa to IGP, demands prosecution|url=https://punchng.com/fraud-ezekwesili-submits-evidence-against-omojuwa-to-ig-demands-prosecution/|access-date=2021-04-17|newspaper=[[The Punch]]|language=en-US}}</ref> == Awards and recognition == * In 2006, Ezekwesili was given the national award of [[Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic]] (CFR).<ref name="auto"/> * In May 2012, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (DSC) degree by the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nexford University|url=https://www.nexford.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=www.nexford.org|language=en}}</ref> She was selected as one of the [[BBC 100 Women|BBC's 100 Women]] in 2013 and 2014.<ref>{{cite web|date=22 November 2013|title=100 Women: Who took part?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-24579511|website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=26 October 2014|title=Who are the 100 Women 2014?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-29758792|access-date=4 December 2016|publisher=BBC}}</ref> *In December 2012, Ezekwesili was named by the ''[[New African]]'' magazine as one of the 100 Most influential Africans.<ref name="influential award">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=100 Most Influential |title=100 Most Influential Africans |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/3375/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |publisher=New African |date=23 December 2012}}</ref> *In December 2014, Ezekwesili was named again among the 2014 most influential Africans - Civil Society and Activism by the ''New African'' magazine.<ref name="influential award 2">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=Most Influential |title=Civil Society & Activism |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/9340/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=NewAfrican |publisher=New African Magazine |date=22 December 2014}}</ref> *In March 2016, Ezekwesili won the 2016 New Africa women award.<ref name="women awards">{{cite news |last1=Awards |first1=women |title=New Africa |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/events/new-africa-women-awards-2016-oby-ezekwesili-zuriel-oduwole-jumoke-adenowo-and-others/hrwpp5t |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=New Africa |publisher=Pulse Ng |date=12 March 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * In July 2016, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary graduate degree by the [[University of Essex]], [[United Kingdom]], where she presented an inspiring and impassioned speech to the graduating students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www1.essex.ac.uk/news/event.aspx?e_id=10662|title=Bring Back Our Girls campaigner Obiageli Ezekwesili awarded Honorary Degree by University of Essex - News - University of Essex|website=www1.essex.ac.uk}}</ref> * In March 2019, Ezekwesili won the Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award for her efforts on the #BringBackOurGirls campaign on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|date=2019-03-26|title=Ezekwesili wins Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/322500-ezekwesili-wins-forbes-woman-africa-social-influencer-award.html|access-date=2019-03-27|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]|language=en-GB}}</ref> * In 2019, she was awarded a Richard Von Weizsäcker Fellowship at the [[Robert Bosch Academy]] in Berlin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/ezekwesili-others-bag-weizsacker-fellowship-in-germany/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Ezekwesili, others bag Weizsäcker fellowship in Germany|date = 2 September 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertboschacademy.de/en/fellow/obiageli-ezekwesili|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|website=Robert Bosch Academy}}</ref> * She was selected as a 2020 Global Leadership Awards honoree.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Vital Voices|language=en}}</ref> Also named as one of 100 visionaries featured in the 3D book "Genius:100 Visionary Thinkers launched in [[Montreal]], [[Canada]] in 2017 by Albert Einstein's Foundations. * In 2020, she was invested as a global leader by the [[Vital Voices]] Global leadership awards.<ref name="awards">{{cite web |last1=Voices |first1=Vital |title=Global Leadership Awards |url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/what-we-do/individual-investments/honoree-program-2/ |website=Vital Voices Global Partnership |publisher=Vital Voices |access-date=12 January 2022 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * She was recognized by ''Time'' magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People and by the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' as one of the 25 Women of Impact for 2015. * She holds the [[Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Public Service]] of the [[Harvard Kennedy School|Harvard Kennedy School of Government]], and the Tuft University EPIIC Jean Meyer Award. She is a Democracy Ambassador -International IDEA, and a 2018 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] nominee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biography of Dr (Mrs.) Obiageli (Oby) Katryn Ezekwesili |url=http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |website=ACUF Asthma Conference |access-date=25 May 2021 |archive-date=25 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525190036/http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> * She is one of the 100 Genius Visionaries inducted by the Genius 100 Foundation.<ref name="Honors">{{cite web |last1=Visionaries |first1=Genius 100 |title=An Active and engaged Community of 100 exceptional Individuals |url=https://www.genius100visions.com/ |website=Genius 100 visions |publisher=Genius 100 Foundation |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * In August 2021, Ezekwesili joined [[Yale University]]'s Jackson School of Global Affairs as a senior fellow.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/481907-ezekwesili-joins-yale-university-as-senior-fellow.html|title = Ezekwesili joins Yale University as senior fellow &#124; Premium Times Nigeria|date = 29 August 2021|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]}}</ref><ref name="education">{{cite web |last1=Yale |first1=University |title=Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs |url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/ |website=Yale edu |publisher=Yale University |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * On May 20, 2022, Dr Oby received the most impactful woman of the year Award. It was hosted by The [https://www.womenofinestimablevalues.org Women of inestimable values] foundation impact makers award to celebrate impact makers across the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-16 |title=Vanguard |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/wivf-recognises-impact-makers-launches-book-to-celebrate-5th-year-anniversary/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks|d=Q7074927|c=Category:Oby Ezekwesili|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}} * [https://twitter.com/obyezeks Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter] * [https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/ Obiageli Ezekwesili] * [https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili Obiageli Ezekwesili | Africa Region Vice President] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili |date=16 October 2021 }} * [https://archive.today/20130416060748/http://go.worldbank.org/0YXPCPBHW0 Interview with Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for the World Bank Africa Region]. The World Bank, November–December 2007 {{Cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo 2003-2007}} {{Human rights in Nigeria}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ezekwesili, Obiageli}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Nigerian accountants]] [[Category:Nigerian economists]] [[Category:Nigerian women economists]] [[Category:World Bank people]] [[Category:University of Lagos alumni]] [[Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni]] [[Category:Federal ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:University of Nigeria alumni]] [[Category:1963 births]] [[Category:Nigerian women activists]] [[Category:Nigerian human rights activists]] [[Category:Women government ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:Nigerian officials of the United Nations]] [[Category:Candidates for President of Nigeria]] dwqxd4derwkyw1suxm7t23swiaew603 40192 40191 2026-04-16T04:31:16Z Anniwinner 897 #IGL #FNFIGL 40192 wikitext text/x-wiki {{Short description|Nigerian accountant and politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili | image = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, 2009 World Economic Forum on Africa.jpg | office1 = Federal Minister of Solid Minerals, Nigeria | term_start1 = June 2005 | term_end1 = June 2006 | predecessor1 = [[Odion Ugbesia]] | successor1 = [[Leslye Obiora]] | office2 = Federal Minister of Education, Nigeria | term_start2 = June 2006 | term_end2 = April 2007 | predecessor2 = [[Chinwe Obaji]] | successor2 = [[Abba Sayyadi Ruma]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|04|28}} | birth_place = [[Anambra State]], Nigeria | death_date = | death_place = | party = | spouse = Chinedu Ezekwesili | education = [[Harvard Kennedy School]]<br />[[University of Lagos]]<br />[[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]] | profession = Chartered accountant, economic policy | nationality = [[Nigerian]] | children = 3 | honorific_prefix = [[Commander of the Federal Republic|CFR]] | nickname = 'Madam Due Process' }} '''Obiageli''' "'''Oby'''" '''Ezekwesili''' {{IPAc-en||audio=LL-Q33578 (ibo)-Olugold-Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili.wav}} (Ma bi ọjọ Ogwu ny'oke mẹjọ ochu ẹlẹ ọdọ 1963) ẹnẹ Naijeriya ka ki chẹ ma [[economic policy|ọda ẹnwu ki ya nẹ ọkọ wa]] nyọnyọ, ẹnẹ ki ya j'uja ẹnwu eche fẹr'eju, ohi ẹnwu eko nyọnyọ, ọda e gw'ọnyu nyọnyọ kpai unyọgba amónẹ, [[humanitarian|ẹnẹ ki ya che ẹnwu nwu ami ọja]] ka kpai manyu onwu che ẹnẹ ki chanẹ ẹnẹ a[[ACTivists|a j'uja nwu amonẹ]]. I che [[vice president|arọne agboji]] nwu [[World Bank]] (Africa region) kw'obi, i che chanẹ [[Transparency International]] I la che onẹ ka efu abo kuma chanẹ ujọ [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|#BringBackOurGirls]] manyu i che federal [[Minister (government)|Minister]] yi [[Nigeria]] onu mejí.<ref>{{Cite journal |last= |first= |date=2024 |title=Dr. Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://nigeriareposit.nln.gov.ng/handle/20.500.14186/1049 |journal=National Library of Nigeria |language=en}}</ref> Onwu ñọ [[Organizational founder|chanẹ]] #FixPolitics Initiative, ugbo ki abo kuma ch'ọma ojanẹ a che u tene,<ref name="Governance">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=#Fix |title=Governance and leadership |url=https://www.fixpolitics.org |website=#FixPolitics |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> unyi ukọchẹ eyi politics [[Policy]] and [[Governance]] (SPPG),<ref name="SPPG">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=SPPG |title=SPPG |url=https://thesppg.org/ |website=School of policy and Governance |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai Human Capital Africa.<ref name="ref">{{cite web |last1=HumCapAfrica |first1=Human Capital Africa |title=HCA |url=https://humcapafrica.org |website=Human Capital Africa |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ki amonẹ atẹ e dọ "Oby", Ezekwesili che ẹnẹ ka efu board of directors eyi [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> ẹnẹ ka efu[[Fundacao Dom Cabral]],<ref name="board fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai agboji board of trustees eyi Ehizua Hub.<ref name="chairperson ehizua">{{cite web |last1=Ehizua |first1=Ehizua |title=Ehizua Education and Creative Technology Hub |url=https://ehizua.com/ |website=Ehizua |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ezekwesili is also a [[chartered accountant]], [[public analyst]], and senior [[economic advisor]] from [[Anambra]] state.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=2020-04-18|title=Oby Ezekwesili mourns Abba Kyari|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/oby-ezekwesili-mourns-abba-kyari/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2021-02-10|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=DR OBIAGELI EZEKWESILI – 2020 APF Conference|url=https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-19|language=en|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019121722/https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesppg.org/|title=Join the Next Class|website=SPPG}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fixpolitics.org/|title=Home|website=#FixPolitics}}</ref> == Ọlayi ẹgba ejodudu kpai Ukọchẹ == Ma bi Ezekwesili yi [[Anambra State|Lagos state]] nwu Benjamin Ujubuonu, ki kwu efu ọdọ 1988, kpai Cecilia Nwayiaka Ujubuonu. Ezekwesili nẹ bachelor's degree kwi [[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]], master's degree efu [[International law|International Law]] kpai Diplomacy kwi [[University of Lagos]], kpai [[Master of Public Administration]] degree kwi [[Harvard Kennedy School]] yi [[Harvard University]]. She trained with the firm of [[Deloitte and Touche]] and qualified as a [[chartered accountant]].<ref name="wbank"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili {{!}} Africa Region Vice President|url=https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|access-date=2021-05-25|website=blogs.worldbank.org|date=29 September 2011|language=en|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|url-status=dead}}</ref> Prior to working for the Government of Nigeria, Ezekwesiili worked with Professor [[Jeffrey Sachs]] at the [[Center for International Development]] at Harvard as the Director of the Harvard-Nigeria Economic Strategy Project.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SPE Login|url=https://www.spe.org/appssecured/login/servlet/TpSSOServlet?resource=higherlogic|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/|title = Oby Ezekwesili}}</ref> === Ukọlọ === Ezekwesili che ukọlọ [[Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Solid Minerals]] kpai [[Federal Ministry of Education (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Education]] ubi lẹ. Kwi ochu ẹlu ọdọ 2007 ti ochu ẹlu 2012, i che arọne‑agboji nwu Africa yi [[World Bank]]. Ẹnẹ ki wa ubi nwu che [[Makhtar Diop]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|title=Makhtar Diop is new World Bank Africa head|work=Africa Review|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-UK|archive-date=11 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511001632/http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> I che fellow ogijo yi [[Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs]]. === Transparency International 1994-1999 === She was a co-founder of [[Transparency International]], serving as one of the pioneer directors of the global anti-corruption body based in [[Berlin, Germany]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Book Oby Ezekwesili as a keynote speaker|url=https://www.chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/oby-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Chartwell Speakers|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Vital Voices|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/|website=Vital Voices|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ===1999-2007=== Ezekwesili started in the [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] administration as the pioneer head of the Budget Monitoring and [[Price Intelligence]] Unit (aka Due Process Unit). It was in this position that she earned the sobriquet of "Madam Due Process" for her work of leading a team of professionals to sanitize the public procurement and contracting processes at the federal level in Nigeria.<ref name="career">{{cite web |last1=VenturesAfrica |first1=Africa |title=Madam Due Process - Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://venturesafrica.com/madam-due-processoby-ezekwesili-world-bank-former-vice-president-for-africa/ |website=Venturesafrica.com |date=22 September 2012 |publisher=Ventures |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="research">{{cite journal |last1=Due process |first1=madam |title=University of Lagos - A study of the public Life of Madam Due Process |journal=Lagos Notes and Records |date=28 February 2021 |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=225–248 |url=http://lnr.unilag.edu.ng/article/view/1200 |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> She was the architect of the Bureau for Public Procurement legislation, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) legislation, and the new Minerals and Mining legislation during her six and a half year stint in government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=InvestEgate {{!}} Company Announcements {{!}} Home {{!}} FTSE 100, 250, AIM, techMARK|url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/|website=www.investegate.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Solid Minerals ==== In June 2005, Ezekwesili was appointed Minister of Solid Minerals (Mines and Steel), where she led a reform program that led to Nigeria's global recognition as a credible mining investment destination. She was also the Chairperson of the NEITI, and led the first national implementation of the global standards and principles of transparency in the oil, gas and mining sector.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UNESCO|url=https://en.unesco.org/|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Education ==== In June 2006, Ezekwesili was appointed the Federal Minister of Education, a post she held until she took up a [[World Bank]] appointment in May 2007.<ref name="wbank">{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/0,,contentMDK:21270986~menuPK:258657~pagePK:2865106~piPK:2865128~theSitePK:258644,00.html |title=Obiageli Ezekwesili Appointed As Vice President for the Africa Region |date=23 March 2007 |publisher=The World Bank |access-date=19 February 2010}}</ref> While in government, Ezekwesili led the restructuring and refocusing of the Education Ministry for the attainment of [[Education For All|Education for All]] (EfA) targets and [[Millennium Development Goals]]. She also introduced [[public-private partnership]]s for education service delivery, revamped the Federal Inspectorate Service as an improved quality assurance mechanism, and introduced transparency and accountability mechanisms for better governance of the budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proshareng.com/news/People/Profile--Ms-Obiageli-Katryn-Ezekwesili----Accountability-&-Transparency-Quest/19200|title = Profile: Ms Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili - Accountability & Transparency Quest}}</ref> === Vice president, World Bank's Africa region === In March 2007, [[World Bank]] President [[Paul Wolfowitz]] announced the appointment of Ezekwesili as vice president for the Africa region starting on 1 May 2007.<ref name="wbank" /> In 2012, she successfully completed her stint as vice president for the World Bank's Africa region.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Egbas|first=Jude|title=10 amazing things you didn"t know about Oby Ezekwesili|language=en-US|url=http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|access-date=2017-10-07|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007222903/http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> As vice president, she was in charge of the bank's operations of 48 countries in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]] and supervised a lending portfolio of over $40 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Social Media Week|url=https://socialmediaweek.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=Social Media Week|language=en-US|archive-date=23 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523050956/https://socialmediaweek.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Later career== As a senior economic advisor for [[Open Society Foundations|Open Society]], a group founded by [[George Soros]], Ezekwesili advises nine reform-committed African heads of state including [[Paul Kagame]] of [[Rwanda]] and [[Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf]] of [[Liberia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Somerville College Oxford|url=https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/|website=www.some.ox.ac.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> === Board memberships === On 1 October 2012, one of the world's leading telecommunications firms, [[Bharti Airtel]], with operations in 20 countries, named Ezekwesili as a director on its board. She is also on the boards of [[World Wildlife Fund]], the School of Public Policy of [[Central European University]], the Harold Hartog School of Government and Policy, ''[[New African]]'' magazine, [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board_wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> [[Fundacao Dom Cabral]]<ref name="board_fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |publisher=FDC |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and the Center for Global Leadership [[Tufts University]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The World Economic Forum|url=https://www.weforum.org/|website=World Economic Forum|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> In April 2020, she was appointed to the board of trustees of the [[International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation]] where she contributes to overseeing their expansion in developing economies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IBFD Your Portal to Cross Border Tax Expertise|url=https://www.ibfd.org/|website=www.ibfd.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> She is also the co-chair of the [[World Economic Forum]] Africa Regional Stewardship Board.<ref name="Honorary">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Co-chair of Africa Regional Board World Economic Forum |url=https://www.weforum.org/people/obiageli-katryn-ezekwesili |website=Weforum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="enlist_Honor">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Launch of Davos Friends of Africa Growth Platform |url=https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/01/launch-of-davos-friends-of-africa-growth-platform/ |website=world Economic Forum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=University of Cape Town |first1=UCT |title=WEF names Pityana as co-chair of its Africa board |url=http://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2020-01-31-wef-names-pityana-as-co-chair-of-its-africa-board |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=University of Cape Town |publisher=University of Cape Town News |date=31 January 2020}}</ref> In January 2019, Ezekwesili was appointed on the advisory board of directors<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-12|title=Oby Ezekwesili launches scholarship programme for young Nigerian women|url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US|archive-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204022658/https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|url-status=dead}}</ref> of Nexford University in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington DC]] and subsequently launched a scholarship program dedicated to women in [[Nigeria]]. In December 2021, Nexford University appointed her as a member of its board of directors.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-18|title=Nexford University Appoints Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili Into Board Of Directors|url=https://geeky.com.ng/nexford-university-appoints-dr-obiageli-ezekwesili-into-board-of-directors/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Geeky Nigeria|language=en-US}}</ref> She is also the Senior Economic Adviser to the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative<ref name="senior_adviser">{{cite web |last1=Economic Advisory |first1=aedpi |title=Senior Economic Adviser Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative |url=https://theaedpi.org/ |website=theaedpi |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and a member of the advisory board of the [[Institute for State Effectiveness]].<ref name="advisory_board_of_effectiveness">{{cite web |last1=Advisory Board |first1=member |title=The Institute for State Effectiveness |url=https://effectivestates.org/who-we-are/ |website=effectivestates.org |publisher=ISE |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> === Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign === In March 2014, Ezekwesili delivered a speech at the national summit of the [[All Progressives Congress]] (APC), Nigeria's leading opposition party. She criticized the many cross-carpeting governors and urged the party to have "a conversation deeper than how you're going to chase (the ruling) PDP out of power".<ref>Ayokunle Odekunle, [http://www.ynaija.com/ten-things-you-should-know-about-oby-ezekwesilis-speech-at-the-apc-national-summit/ "10 things you SHOULD know about Oby Ezekwesili's speech at the APC National summit"], Naija.com.</ref> After [[2014 Chibok kidnapping|nearly 300 mainly Christian girls were abducted]] from [[Chibok]] by the [[Islamist]] militant group [[Boko Haram]],<ref>David Smith, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/nigeria-launches-military-operation-to-find-kidnapped-girls "Military operation launched to locate kidnapped Nigerian girls"], ''The Guardian'', 14 May 2014: "Although most of the abducted girls are Christian, all were wearing Muslim dress and two were singled out to say they had converted to Islam."</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27389082 "Nigeria abduction video: Schoolgirls 'recognised'"], BBC, 13 May 2014: "The girls' families have said that most of those seized are Christians, although there are a number of Muslims among them."</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Terrorists kidnap more than 200 Nigerian girls|date=21 April 2014|work=USA Today|first=Oren|last=Dorell|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/21/parents-234-girls-kidnapped-from-nigeria-school/7958307/|access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref> Ezekwesili used the [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|Bring Back Our Girls]] (BBOG) advocacy group to draw global attention to the plight of all persons who have been abducted by terrorists from Nigeria's war ravaged northeast region.<ref name=":0" /> She was instrumental to the start of the viral [[#Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign]] on social media, which trended internationally. On 23 April, at the opening ceremony for a [[UNESCO]] event honoring the city of [[Port Harcourt]] as the 2014 [[World Book Capital]] city, she urged Nigerians to not just tweet but actively participate in efforts to "bring back our girls".<ref>Nadia Nasanovsky, [http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/158929/a-global-effort-to-%E2%80%98bring-back-our-girls%E2%80%99 "A global effort to ‘Bring Back Our Girls’"], ''Buenos Aires herald'', 8 May 2014.</ref><ref>Emma Howard, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/07/bring-back-our-girls-global-protests-abduction-nigerian-schoolgirls "Bring back our girls: global protests over abduction of Nigerian schoolgirls"], ''The Guardian'', 7 May 2014.</ref><ref name="cnn_gps">{{cite news |last1=GPS |first1=Chibok |title=On GPS: Where are the missing Chibok girls? |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2019/01/11/exp-gps-0113-ezekwesili-on-chibok-girls-still-captured.cnn |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=CNN |publisher=Fareed Zakaria |date=11 January 2019}}</ref> As she prepared to board a [[British Airways]] flight to London to appear on the [[BBC]] programme ''[[Hard Talk]]'' in July 2014, she was detained by Nigeria's secret service, the [[State Security Service (Nigeria)|SSS]], who also seized her passport.<ref>[http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ "OUTRAGE: BBOG coordinator, Oby Ezekwesili arrested, released"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728092712/http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ |date=28 July 2014 }}, ''Today'', 14 July 2014.</ref><ref>[http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html "#BringBackOurGirls: Oby Ezekwesili detained by SSS officials in Abuja"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324004422/http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html |date=24 March 2017 }}, Pulse.ng, 21 July 2014.</ref> She was later released the same morning. She is the founder and convener of the #RedCardMovement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dailytrust.com/womens-march-celebrating-obys-passion-for-a-new-nigeria/|title=Women's March: celebrating Oby's passion for a new Nigeria|date=March 2021 |accessdate=26 August 2024|newspaper=[[Daily Trust]]}}</ref> == 2019 presidential election== {{Main|2019 Nigerian general election}} Ezekwesili contested for the office of the [[president of Nigeria]] on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack">{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili: Values and vision divergence with ACPN triggered my withdrawal presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152951/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The former minister had hinted at contesting for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/obyezeks/status/1039795704712097792|title=Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en}}</ref> At an event commemorating the 58th anniversary of Nigeria's independence, Pastor [[Tunde Bakare]] announced that she would be running for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-oby-ezekwesili-contest-president-says-tunde-bakare|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare - TheCable|date=2018-10-01|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US|newspaper=[[TheCable]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Oluwamayowa Tijani|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare|date=2018-10-01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-02}}{{cbignore}}</ref> One of her campaign promises was to lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili officially flags off presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |access-date=8 January 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oaktv |date=8 January 2019 |archive-date=8 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108200631/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="cnn_amanpour">{{cite web |last1=Amanpour |first1=Christine |title=Ezekwesili's interview with Christine Amanpour |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2018/11/21/nigerian-presidential-candidate-oby-ezekwesili-amanpour.cnn |website=CNN |date=21 November 2018 |publisher=Christine Amanpour |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="yahoo_abrams">{{cite web |last1=Abrams |first1=Stacey |title=Stacey Abrams interviews Ezekwesili |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |website=yahoo |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113193715/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 24 January 2019, Ezekwesili withdrew from the presidential race,<ref>{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili withdraws from presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152929/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> owing to a divergence of values and visions with her political party.<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack"/> However, later in the day, the [[Independent National Electoral Commission (Nigeria)|Independent National Electoral Commission]]<ref>{{cite news |title=INEC Receives N198bn for General Election |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152753/https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> said it was too late for anyone to withdraw from the race because the ballot materials had already been prepared. For that reason, the crest of the party would still appear.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ezekwesili: It's too late for candidates to step down, says INEC |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152838/https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Fela Durotoye]] commended Ezekwesili for taking the lead and clamouring for a coalition to end the rule of #APCPDP.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fela Durotoye Commends Oby Ezekwesili, expresses commitment to renew search for coalition candidate |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=24 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124212611/https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 4 February 2019, Ezekwesili organised a press conference in NICON Luxury Hall, Abuja. She spoke during her press conference about her rough political journey while campaigning for the office of the President of Nigeria under the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=INSIDE DETAILS: Oby Ezekwesili opens up on her rough political journey |url=https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015323/https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> She also gave a motivational speech as she stepped down from the 2019 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili's emotional speech as she takes a bow from 2019 presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015320/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 7 February 2019, Ezekwesili published her campaign finances. The report shows she spent 48 million Naira between 1 October 2018 and 2 February 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/oby-ezekwesili-publishes-campaign-finances/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Oby Ezekwesili publishes campaign finances|date = 7 February 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref> == Personal life == Oby is married to Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili of the [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]] (RCCG) and has three sons: Chinemelum, Chinweuba and Chidera.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Oby Ezekwesili Offers Marriage Tips To Young Nigerians|language=en-gb|work=Nigeriafilms.com|url=https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|access-date=2018-05-24|archive-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524222825/https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2021, Ezekwesili submitted a petition to the [[Inspector General of Police (Nigeria)|Inspector General of Police]] against [[Japheth J. Omojuwa|Japhet Omojuwa]], accusing him of fraudulently using her name as a director in his firm, Alpha Reach Company Limited.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-04-16|title=Fraud: Ezekwesili submits evidence against Omojuwa to IGP, demands prosecution|url=https://punchng.com/fraud-ezekwesili-submits-evidence-against-omojuwa-to-ig-demands-prosecution/|access-date=2021-04-17|newspaper=[[The Punch]]|language=en-US}}</ref> == Awards and recognition == * In 2006, Ezekwesili was given the national award of [[Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic]] (CFR).<ref name="auto"/> * In May 2012, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (DSC) degree by the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nexford University|url=https://www.nexford.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=www.nexford.org|language=en}}</ref> She was selected as one of the [[BBC 100 Women|BBC's 100 Women]] in 2013 and 2014.<ref>{{cite web|date=22 November 2013|title=100 Women: Who took part?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-24579511|website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=26 October 2014|title=Who are the 100 Women 2014?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-29758792|access-date=4 December 2016|publisher=BBC}}</ref> *In December 2012, Ezekwesili was named by the ''[[New African]]'' magazine as one of the 100 Most influential Africans.<ref name="influential award">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=100 Most Influential |title=100 Most Influential Africans |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/3375/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |publisher=New African |date=23 December 2012}}</ref> *In December 2014, Ezekwesili was named again among the 2014 most influential Africans - Civil Society and Activism by the ''New African'' magazine.<ref name="influential award 2">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=Most Influential |title=Civil Society & Activism |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/9340/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=NewAfrican |publisher=New African Magazine |date=22 December 2014}}</ref> *In March 2016, Ezekwesili won the 2016 New Africa women award.<ref name="women awards">{{cite news |last1=Awards |first1=women |title=New Africa |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/events/new-africa-women-awards-2016-oby-ezekwesili-zuriel-oduwole-jumoke-adenowo-and-others/hrwpp5t |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=New Africa |publisher=Pulse Ng |date=12 March 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * In July 2016, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary graduate degree by the [[University of Essex]], [[United Kingdom]], where she presented an inspiring and impassioned speech to the graduating students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www1.essex.ac.uk/news/event.aspx?e_id=10662|title=Bring Back Our Girls campaigner Obiageli Ezekwesili awarded Honorary Degree by University of Essex - News - University of Essex|website=www1.essex.ac.uk}}</ref> * In March 2019, Ezekwesili won the Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award for her efforts on the #BringBackOurGirls campaign on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|date=2019-03-26|title=Ezekwesili wins Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/322500-ezekwesili-wins-forbes-woman-africa-social-influencer-award.html|access-date=2019-03-27|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]|language=en-GB}}</ref> * In 2019, she was awarded a Richard Von Weizsäcker Fellowship at the [[Robert Bosch Academy]] in Berlin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/ezekwesili-others-bag-weizsacker-fellowship-in-germany/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Ezekwesili, others bag Weizsäcker fellowship in Germany|date = 2 September 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertboschacademy.de/en/fellow/obiageli-ezekwesili|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|website=Robert Bosch Academy}}</ref> * She was selected as a 2020 Global Leadership Awards honoree.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Vital Voices|language=en}}</ref> Also named as one of 100 visionaries featured in the 3D book "Genius:100 Visionary Thinkers launched in [[Montreal]], [[Canada]] in 2017 by Albert Einstein's Foundations. * In 2020, she was invested as a global leader by the [[Vital Voices]] Global leadership awards.<ref name="awards">{{cite web |last1=Voices |first1=Vital |title=Global Leadership Awards |url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/what-we-do/individual-investments/honoree-program-2/ |website=Vital Voices Global Partnership |publisher=Vital Voices |access-date=12 January 2022 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * She was recognized by ''Time'' magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People and by the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' as one of the 25 Women of Impact for 2015. * She holds the [[Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Public Service]] of the [[Harvard Kennedy School|Harvard Kennedy School of Government]], and the Tuft University EPIIC Jean Meyer Award. She is a Democracy Ambassador -International IDEA, and a 2018 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] nominee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biography of Dr (Mrs.) Obiageli (Oby) Katryn Ezekwesili |url=http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |website=ACUF Asthma Conference |access-date=25 May 2021 |archive-date=25 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525190036/http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> * She is one of the 100 Genius Visionaries inducted by the Genius 100 Foundation.<ref name="Honors">{{cite web |last1=Visionaries |first1=Genius 100 |title=An Active and engaged Community of 100 exceptional Individuals |url=https://www.genius100visions.com/ |website=Genius 100 visions |publisher=Genius 100 Foundation |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * In August 2021, Ezekwesili joined [[Yale University]]'s Jackson School of Global Affairs as a senior fellow.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/481907-ezekwesili-joins-yale-university-as-senior-fellow.html|title = Ezekwesili joins Yale University as senior fellow &#124; Premium Times Nigeria|date = 29 August 2021|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]}}</ref><ref name="education">{{cite web |last1=Yale |first1=University |title=Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs |url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/ |website=Yale edu |publisher=Yale University |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * On May 20, 2022, Dr Oby received the most impactful woman of the year Award. It was hosted by The [https://www.womenofinestimablevalues.org Women of inestimable values] foundation impact makers award to celebrate impact makers across the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-16 |title=Vanguard |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/wivf-recognises-impact-makers-launches-book-to-celebrate-5th-year-anniversary/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks|d=Q7074927|c=Category:Oby Ezekwesili|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}} * [https://twitter.com/obyezeks Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter] * [https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/ Obiageli Ezekwesili] * [https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili Obiageli Ezekwesili | Africa Region Vice President] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili |date=16 October 2021 }} * [https://archive.today/20130416060748/http://go.worldbank.org/0YXPCPBHW0 Interview with Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for the World Bank Africa Region]. The World Bank, November–December 2007 {{Cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo 2003-2007}} {{Human rights in Nigeria}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ezekwesili, Obiageli}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Nigerian accountants]] [[Category:Nigerian economists]] [[Category:Nigerian women economists]] [[Category:World Bank people]] [[Category:University of Lagos alumni]] [[Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni]] [[Category:Federal ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:University of Nigeria alumni]] [[Category:1963 births]] [[Category:Nigerian women activists]] [[Category:Nigerian human rights activists]] [[Category:Women government ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:Nigerian officials of the United Nations]] [[Category:Candidates for President of Nigeria]] i8a590ajgip88lmyuxjraftt6fmz0mo 40193 40192 2026-04-16T04:35:10Z Anniwinner 897 #IGL #FNFIGL 40193 wikitext text/x-wiki {{Short description|Nigerian accountant and politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili | image = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, 2009 World Economic Forum on Africa.jpg | office1 = Federal Minister of Solid Minerals, Nigeria | term_start1 = June 2005 | term_end1 = June 2006 | predecessor1 = [[Odion Ugbesia]] | successor1 = [[Leslye Obiora]] | office2 = Federal Minister of Education, Nigeria | term_start2 = June 2006 | term_end2 = April 2007 | predecessor2 = [[Chinwe Obaji]] | successor2 = [[Abba Sayyadi Ruma]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|04|28}} | birth_place = [[Anambra State]], Nigeria | death_date = | death_place = | party = | spouse = Chinedu Ezekwesili | education = [[Harvard Kennedy School]]<br />[[University of Lagos]]<br />[[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]] | profession = Chartered accountant, economic policy | nationality = [[Nigerian]] | children = 3 | honorific_prefix = [[Commander of the Federal Republic|CFR]] | nickname = 'Madam Due Process' }} '''Obiageli''' "'''Oby'''" '''Ezekwesili''' {{IPAc-en||audio=LL-Q33578 (ibo)-Olugold-Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili.wav}} (Ma bi ọjọ Ogwu ny'oke mẹjọ ochu ẹlẹ ọdọ 1963) ẹnẹ Naijeriya ka ki chẹ ma [[economic policy|ọda ẹnwu ki ya nẹ ọkọ wa]] nyọnyọ, ẹnẹ ki ya j'uja ẹnwu eche fẹr'eju, ohi ẹnwu eko nyọnyọ, ọda e gw'ọnyu nyọnyọ kpai unyọgba amónẹ, [[humanitarian|ẹnẹ ki ya che ẹnwu nwu ami ọja]] ka kpai manyu onwu che ẹnẹ ki chanẹ ẹnẹ a[[ACTivists|a j'uja nwu amonẹ]]. I che [[vice president|arọne agboji]] nwu [[World Bank]] (Africa region) kw'obi, i che chanẹ [[Transparency International]] I la che onẹ ka efu abo kuma chanẹ ujọ [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|#BringBackOurGirls]] manyu i che federal [[Minister (government)|Minister]] yi [[Nigeria]] onu mejí.<ref>{{Cite journal |last= |first= |date=2024 |title=Dr. Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://nigeriareposit.nln.gov.ng/handle/20.500.14186/1049 |journal=National Library of Nigeria |language=en}}</ref> Onwu ñọ [[Organizational founder|chanẹ]] #FixPolitics Initiative, ugbo ki abo kuma ch'ọma ojanẹ a che u tene,<ref name="Governance">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=#Fix |title=Governance and leadership |url=https://www.fixpolitics.org |website=#FixPolitics |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> unyi ukọchẹ eyi politics [[Policy]] and [[Governance]] (SPPG),<ref name="SPPG">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=SPPG |title=SPPG |url=https://thesppg.org/ |website=School of policy and Governance |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai Human Capital Africa.<ref name="ref">{{cite web |last1=HumCapAfrica |first1=Human Capital Africa |title=HCA |url=https://humcapafrica.org |website=Human Capital Africa |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ki amonẹ atẹ e dọ "Oby", Ezekwesili che ẹnẹ ka efu board of directors eyi [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> ẹnẹ ka efu[[Fundacao Dom Cabral]],<ref name="board fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai agboji board of trustees eyi Ehizua Hub.<ref name="chairperson ehizua">{{cite web |last1=Ehizua |first1=Ehizua |title=Ehizua Education and Creative Technology Hub |url=https://ehizua.com/ |website=Ehizua |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ezekwesili is also a [[chartered accountant]], [[public analyst]], and senior [[economic advisor]] from [[Anambra]] state.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=2020-04-18|title=Oby Ezekwesili mourns Abba Kyari|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/oby-ezekwesili-mourns-abba-kyari/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2021-02-10|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=DR OBIAGELI EZEKWESILI – 2020 APF Conference|url=https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-19|language=en|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019121722/https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesppg.org/|title=Join the Next Class|website=SPPG}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fixpolitics.org/|title=Home|website=#FixPolitics}}</ref> == Ọlayi ẹgba ejodudu kpai Ukọchẹ == Ma bi Ezekwesili yi [[Anambra State|Lagos state]] nwu Benjamin Ujubuonu, ki kwu efu ọdọ 1988, kpai Cecilia Nwayiaka Ujubuonu. Ezekwesili nẹ bachelor's degree kwi [[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]], master's degree efu [[International law|International Law]] kpai Diplomacy kwi [[University of Lagos]], kpai [[Master of Public Administration]] degree kwi [[Harvard Kennedy School]] yi [[Harvard University]]. I che ukọchẹ kpai ugbo ùkọlọ [[Deloitte and Touche]] i la fẹ bọjọ ki che[[chartered accountant]].<ref name="wbank"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili {{!}} Africa Region Vice President|url=https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|access-date=2021-05-25|website=blogs.worldbank.org|date=29 September 2011|language=en|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|url-status=dead}}</ref> Taki ichanẹ e chùkọlọ nwu government eyi Nigeria, Ezekwesiili ch'ukọlọ kpai Professor [[Jeffrey Sachs]] yi [[Center for International Development]] yi Harvard, i che Director eyi Harvard-Nigeria Economic Strategy Project.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SPE Login|url=https://www.spe.org/appssecured/login/servlet/TpSSOServlet?resource=higherlogic|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/|title = Oby Ezekwesili}}</ref> === Ukọlọ === Ezekwesili che ukọlọ [[Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Solid Minerals]] kpai [[Federal Ministry of Education (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Education]] ubi lẹ. Kwi ochu ẹlu ọdọ 2007 ti ochu ẹlu 2012, i che arọne‑agboji nwu Africa yi [[World Bank]]. Ẹnẹ ki wa ubi nwu che [[Makhtar Diop]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|title=Makhtar Diop is new World Bank Africa head|work=Africa Review|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-UK|archive-date=11 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511001632/http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> I che fellow ogijo yi [[Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs]]. === Transparency International 1994-1999 === She was a co-founder of [[Transparency International]], serving as one of the pioneer directors of the global anti-corruption body based in [[Berlin, Germany]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Book Oby Ezekwesili as a keynote speaker|url=https://www.chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/oby-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Chartwell Speakers|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Vital Voices|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/|website=Vital Voices|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ===1999-2007=== Ezekwesili started in the [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] administration as the pioneer head of the Budget Monitoring and [[Price Intelligence]] Unit (aka Due Process Unit). It was in this position that she earned the sobriquet of "Madam Due Process" for her work of leading a team of professionals to sanitize the public procurement and contracting processes at the federal level in Nigeria.<ref name="career">{{cite web |last1=VenturesAfrica |first1=Africa |title=Madam Due Process - Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://venturesafrica.com/madam-due-processoby-ezekwesili-world-bank-former-vice-president-for-africa/ |website=Venturesafrica.com |date=22 September 2012 |publisher=Ventures |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="research">{{cite journal |last1=Due process |first1=madam |title=University of Lagos - A study of the public Life of Madam Due Process |journal=Lagos Notes and Records |date=28 February 2021 |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=225–248 |url=http://lnr.unilag.edu.ng/article/view/1200 |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> She was the architect of the Bureau for Public Procurement legislation, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) legislation, and the new Minerals and Mining legislation during her six and a half year stint in government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=InvestEgate {{!}} Company Announcements {{!}} Home {{!}} FTSE 100, 250, AIM, techMARK|url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/|website=www.investegate.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Solid Minerals ==== In June 2005, Ezekwesili was appointed Minister of Solid Minerals (Mines and Steel), where she led a reform program that led to Nigeria's global recognition as a credible mining investment destination. She was also the Chairperson of the NEITI, and led the first national implementation of the global standards and principles of transparency in the oil, gas and mining sector.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UNESCO|url=https://en.unesco.org/|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Education ==== In June 2006, Ezekwesili was appointed the Federal Minister of Education, a post she held until she took up a [[World Bank]] appointment in May 2007.<ref name="wbank">{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/0,,contentMDK:21270986~menuPK:258657~pagePK:2865106~piPK:2865128~theSitePK:258644,00.html |title=Obiageli Ezekwesili Appointed As Vice President for the Africa Region |date=23 March 2007 |publisher=The World Bank |access-date=19 February 2010}}</ref> While in government, Ezekwesili led the restructuring and refocusing of the Education Ministry for the attainment of [[Education For All|Education for All]] (EfA) targets and [[Millennium Development Goals]]. She also introduced [[public-private partnership]]s for education service delivery, revamped the Federal Inspectorate Service as an improved quality assurance mechanism, and introduced transparency and accountability mechanisms for better governance of the budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proshareng.com/news/People/Profile--Ms-Obiageli-Katryn-Ezekwesili----Accountability-&-Transparency-Quest/19200|title = Profile: Ms Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili - Accountability & Transparency Quest}}</ref> === Vice president, World Bank's Africa region === In March 2007, [[World Bank]] President [[Paul Wolfowitz]] announced the appointment of Ezekwesili as vice president for the Africa region starting on 1 May 2007.<ref name="wbank" /> In 2012, she successfully completed her stint as vice president for the World Bank's Africa region.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Egbas|first=Jude|title=10 amazing things you didn"t know about Oby Ezekwesili|language=en-US|url=http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|access-date=2017-10-07|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007222903/http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> As vice president, she was in charge of the bank's operations of 48 countries in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]] and supervised a lending portfolio of over $40 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Social Media Week|url=https://socialmediaweek.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=Social Media Week|language=en-US|archive-date=23 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523050956/https://socialmediaweek.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Later career== As a senior economic advisor for [[Open Society Foundations|Open Society]], a group founded by [[George Soros]], Ezekwesili advises nine reform-committed African heads of state including [[Paul Kagame]] of [[Rwanda]] and [[Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf]] of [[Liberia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Somerville College Oxford|url=https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/|website=www.some.ox.ac.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> === Board memberships === On 1 October 2012, one of the world's leading telecommunications firms, [[Bharti Airtel]], with operations in 20 countries, named Ezekwesili as a director on its board. She is also on the boards of [[World Wildlife Fund]], the School of Public Policy of [[Central European University]], the Harold Hartog School of Government and Policy, ''[[New African]]'' magazine, [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board_wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> [[Fundacao Dom Cabral]]<ref name="board_fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |publisher=FDC |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and the Center for Global Leadership [[Tufts University]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The World Economic Forum|url=https://www.weforum.org/|website=World Economic Forum|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> In April 2020, she was appointed to the board of trustees of the [[International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation]] where she contributes to overseeing their expansion in developing economies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IBFD Your Portal to Cross Border Tax Expertise|url=https://www.ibfd.org/|website=www.ibfd.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> She is also the co-chair of the [[World Economic Forum]] Africa Regional Stewardship Board.<ref name="Honorary">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Co-chair of Africa Regional Board World Economic Forum |url=https://www.weforum.org/people/obiageli-katryn-ezekwesili |website=Weforum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="enlist_Honor">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Launch of Davos Friends of Africa Growth Platform |url=https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/01/launch-of-davos-friends-of-africa-growth-platform/ |website=world Economic Forum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=University of Cape Town |first1=UCT |title=WEF names Pityana as co-chair of its Africa board |url=http://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2020-01-31-wef-names-pityana-as-co-chair-of-its-africa-board |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=University of Cape Town |publisher=University of Cape Town News |date=31 January 2020}}</ref> In January 2019, Ezekwesili was appointed on the advisory board of directors<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-12|title=Oby Ezekwesili launches scholarship programme for young Nigerian women|url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US|archive-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204022658/https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|url-status=dead}}</ref> of Nexford University in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington DC]] and subsequently launched a scholarship program dedicated to women in [[Nigeria]]. In December 2021, Nexford University appointed her as a member of its board of directors.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-18|title=Nexford University Appoints Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili Into Board Of Directors|url=https://geeky.com.ng/nexford-university-appoints-dr-obiageli-ezekwesili-into-board-of-directors/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Geeky Nigeria|language=en-US}}</ref> She is also the Senior Economic Adviser to the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative<ref name="senior_adviser">{{cite web |last1=Economic Advisory |first1=aedpi |title=Senior Economic Adviser Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative |url=https://theaedpi.org/ |website=theaedpi |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and a member of the advisory board of the [[Institute for State Effectiveness]].<ref name="advisory_board_of_effectiveness">{{cite web |last1=Advisory Board |first1=member |title=The Institute for State Effectiveness |url=https://effectivestates.org/who-we-are/ |website=effectivestates.org |publisher=ISE |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> === Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign === In March 2014, Ezekwesili delivered a speech at the national summit of the [[All Progressives Congress]] (APC), Nigeria's leading opposition party. She criticized the many cross-carpeting governors and urged the party to have "a conversation deeper than how you're going to chase (the ruling) PDP out of power".<ref>Ayokunle Odekunle, [http://www.ynaija.com/ten-things-you-should-know-about-oby-ezekwesilis-speech-at-the-apc-national-summit/ "10 things you SHOULD know about Oby Ezekwesili's speech at the APC National summit"], Naija.com.</ref> After [[2014 Chibok kidnapping|nearly 300 mainly Christian girls were abducted]] from [[Chibok]] by the [[Islamist]] militant group [[Boko Haram]],<ref>David Smith, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/nigeria-launches-military-operation-to-find-kidnapped-girls "Military operation launched to locate kidnapped Nigerian girls"], ''The Guardian'', 14 May 2014: "Although most of the abducted girls are Christian, all were wearing Muslim dress and two were singled out to say they had converted to Islam."</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27389082 "Nigeria abduction video: Schoolgirls 'recognised'"], BBC, 13 May 2014: "The girls' families have said that most of those seized are Christians, although there are a number of Muslims among them."</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Terrorists kidnap more than 200 Nigerian girls|date=21 April 2014|work=USA Today|first=Oren|last=Dorell|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/21/parents-234-girls-kidnapped-from-nigeria-school/7958307/|access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref> Ezekwesili used the [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|Bring Back Our Girls]] (BBOG) advocacy group to draw global attention to the plight of all persons who have been abducted by terrorists from Nigeria's war ravaged northeast region.<ref name=":0" /> She was instrumental to the start of the viral [[#Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign]] on social media, which trended internationally. On 23 April, at the opening ceremony for a [[UNESCO]] event honoring the city of [[Port Harcourt]] as the 2014 [[World Book Capital]] city, she urged Nigerians to not just tweet but actively participate in efforts to "bring back our girls".<ref>Nadia Nasanovsky, [http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/158929/a-global-effort-to-%E2%80%98bring-back-our-girls%E2%80%99 "A global effort to ‘Bring Back Our Girls’"], ''Buenos Aires herald'', 8 May 2014.</ref><ref>Emma Howard, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/07/bring-back-our-girls-global-protests-abduction-nigerian-schoolgirls "Bring back our girls: global protests over abduction of Nigerian schoolgirls"], ''The Guardian'', 7 May 2014.</ref><ref name="cnn_gps">{{cite news |last1=GPS |first1=Chibok |title=On GPS: Where are the missing Chibok girls? |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2019/01/11/exp-gps-0113-ezekwesili-on-chibok-girls-still-captured.cnn |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=CNN |publisher=Fareed Zakaria |date=11 January 2019}}</ref> As she prepared to board a [[British Airways]] flight to London to appear on the [[BBC]] programme ''[[Hard Talk]]'' in July 2014, she was detained by Nigeria's secret service, the [[State Security Service (Nigeria)|SSS]], who also seized her passport.<ref>[http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ "OUTRAGE: BBOG coordinator, Oby Ezekwesili arrested, released"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728092712/http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ |date=28 July 2014 }}, ''Today'', 14 July 2014.</ref><ref>[http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html "#BringBackOurGirls: Oby Ezekwesili detained by SSS officials in Abuja"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324004422/http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html |date=24 March 2017 }}, Pulse.ng, 21 July 2014.</ref> She was later released the same morning. She is the founder and convener of the #RedCardMovement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dailytrust.com/womens-march-celebrating-obys-passion-for-a-new-nigeria/|title=Women's March: celebrating Oby's passion for a new Nigeria|date=March 2021 |accessdate=26 August 2024|newspaper=[[Daily Trust]]}}</ref> == 2019 presidential election== {{Main|2019 Nigerian general election}} Ezekwesili contested for the office of the [[president of Nigeria]] on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack">{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili: Values and vision divergence with ACPN triggered my withdrawal presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152951/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The former minister had hinted at contesting for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/obyezeks/status/1039795704712097792|title=Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en}}</ref> At an event commemorating the 58th anniversary of Nigeria's independence, Pastor [[Tunde Bakare]] announced that she would be running for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-oby-ezekwesili-contest-president-says-tunde-bakare|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare - TheCable|date=2018-10-01|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US|newspaper=[[TheCable]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Oluwamayowa Tijani|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare|date=2018-10-01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-02}}{{cbignore}}</ref> One of her campaign promises was to lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili officially flags off presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |access-date=8 January 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oaktv |date=8 January 2019 |archive-date=8 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108200631/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="cnn_amanpour">{{cite web |last1=Amanpour |first1=Christine |title=Ezekwesili's interview with Christine Amanpour |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2018/11/21/nigerian-presidential-candidate-oby-ezekwesili-amanpour.cnn |website=CNN |date=21 November 2018 |publisher=Christine Amanpour |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="yahoo_abrams">{{cite web |last1=Abrams |first1=Stacey |title=Stacey Abrams interviews Ezekwesili |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |website=yahoo |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113193715/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 24 January 2019, Ezekwesili withdrew from the presidential race,<ref>{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili withdraws from presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152929/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> owing to a divergence of values and visions with her political party.<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack"/> However, later in the day, the [[Independent National Electoral Commission (Nigeria)|Independent National Electoral Commission]]<ref>{{cite news |title=INEC Receives N198bn for General Election |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152753/https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> said it was too late for anyone to withdraw from the race because the ballot materials had already been prepared. For that reason, the crest of the party would still appear.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ezekwesili: It's too late for candidates to step down, says INEC |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152838/https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Fela Durotoye]] commended Ezekwesili for taking the lead and clamouring for a coalition to end the rule of #APCPDP.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fela Durotoye Commends Oby Ezekwesili, expresses commitment to renew search for coalition candidate |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=24 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124212611/https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 4 February 2019, Ezekwesili organised a press conference in NICON Luxury Hall, Abuja. She spoke during her press conference about her rough political journey while campaigning for the office of the President of Nigeria under the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=INSIDE DETAILS: Oby Ezekwesili opens up on her rough political journey |url=https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015323/https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> She also gave a motivational speech as she stepped down from the 2019 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili's emotional speech as she takes a bow from 2019 presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015320/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 7 February 2019, Ezekwesili published her campaign finances. The report shows she spent 48 million Naira between 1 October 2018 and 2 February 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/oby-ezekwesili-publishes-campaign-finances/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Oby Ezekwesili publishes campaign finances|date = 7 February 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref> == Personal life == Oby is married to Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili of the [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]] (RCCG) and has three sons: Chinemelum, Chinweuba and Chidera.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Oby Ezekwesili Offers Marriage Tips To Young Nigerians|language=en-gb|work=Nigeriafilms.com|url=https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|access-date=2018-05-24|archive-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524222825/https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2021, Ezekwesili submitted a petition to the [[Inspector General of Police (Nigeria)|Inspector General of Police]] against [[Japheth J. Omojuwa|Japhet Omojuwa]], accusing him of fraudulently using her name as a director in his firm, Alpha Reach Company Limited.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-04-16|title=Fraud: Ezekwesili submits evidence against Omojuwa to IGP, demands prosecution|url=https://punchng.com/fraud-ezekwesili-submits-evidence-against-omojuwa-to-ig-demands-prosecution/|access-date=2021-04-17|newspaper=[[The Punch]]|language=en-US}}</ref> == Awards and recognition == * In 2006, Ezekwesili was given the national award of [[Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic]] (CFR).<ref name="auto"/> * In May 2012, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (DSC) degree by the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nexford University|url=https://www.nexford.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=www.nexford.org|language=en}}</ref> She was selected as one of the [[BBC 100 Women|BBC's 100 Women]] in 2013 and 2014.<ref>{{cite web|date=22 November 2013|title=100 Women: Who took part?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-24579511|website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=26 October 2014|title=Who are the 100 Women 2014?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-29758792|access-date=4 December 2016|publisher=BBC}}</ref> *In December 2012, Ezekwesili was named by the ''[[New African]]'' magazine as one of the 100 Most influential Africans.<ref name="influential award">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=100 Most Influential |title=100 Most Influential Africans |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/3375/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |publisher=New African |date=23 December 2012}}</ref> *In December 2014, Ezekwesili was named again among the 2014 most influential Africans - Civil Society and Activism by the ''New African'' magazine.<ref name="influential award 2">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=Most Influential |title=Civil Society & Activism |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/9340/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=NewAfrican |publisher=New African Magazine |date=22 December 2014}}</ref> *In March 2016, Ezekwesili won the 2016 New Africa women award.<ref name="women awards">{{cite news |last1=Awards |first1=women |title=New Africa |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/events/new-africa-women-awards-2016-oby-ezekwesili-zuriel-oduwole-jumoke-adenowo-and-others/hrwpp5t |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=New Africa |publisher=Pulse Ng |date=12 March 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * In July 2016, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary graduate degree by the [[University of Essex]], [[United Kingdom]], where she presented an inspiring and impassioned speech to the graduating students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www1.essex.ac.uk/news/event.aspx?e_id=10662|title=Bring Back Our Girls campaigner Obiageli Ezekwesili awarded Honorary Degree by University of Essex - News - University of Essex|website=www1.essex.ac.uk}}</ref> * In March 2019, Ezekwesili won the Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award for her efforts on the #BringBackOurGirls campaign on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|date=2019-03-26|title=Ezekwesili wins Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/322500-ezekwesili-wins-forbes-woman-africa-social-influencer-award.html|access-date=2019-03-27|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]|language=en-GB}}</ref> * In 2019, she was awarded a Richard Von Weizsäcker Fellowship at the [[Robert Bosch Academy]] in Berlin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/ezekwesili-others-bag-weizsacker-fellowship-in-germany/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Ezekwesili, others bag Weizsäcker fellowship in Germany|date = 2 September 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertboschacademy.de/en/fellow/obiageli-ezekwesili|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|website=Robert Bosch Academy}}</ref> * She was selected as a 2020 Global Leadership Awards honoree.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Vital Voices|language=en}}</ref> Also named as one of 100 visionaries featured in the 3D book "Genius:100 Visionary Thinkers launched in [[Montreal]], [[Canada]] in 2017 by Albert Einstein's Foundations. * In 2020, she was invested as a global leader by the [[Vital Voices]] Global leadership awards.<ref name="awards">{{cite web |last1=Voices |first1=Vital |title=Global Leadership Awards |url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/what-we-do/individual-investments/honoree-program-2/ |website=Vital Voices Global Partnership |publisher=Vital Voices |access-date=12 January 2022 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * She was recognized by ''Time'' magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People and by the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' as one of the 25 Women of Impact for 2015. * She holds the [[Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Public Service]] of the [[Harvard Kennedy School|Harvard Kennedy School of Government]], and the Tuft University EPIIC Jean Meyer Award. She is a Democracy Ambassador -International IDEA, and a 2018 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] nominee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biography of Dr (Mrs.) Obiageli (Oby) Katryn Ezekwesili |url=http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |website=ACUF Asthma Conference |access-date=25 May 2021 |archive-date=25 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525190036/http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> * She is one of the 100 Genius Visionaries inducted by the Genius 100 Foundation.<ref name="Honors">{{cite web |last1=Visionaries |first1=Genius 100 |title=An Active and engaged Community of 100 exceptional Individuals |url=https://www.genius100visions.com/ |website=Genius 100 visions |publisher=Genius 100 Foundation |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * In August 2021, Ezekwesili joined [[Yale University]]'s Jackson School of Global Affairs as a senior fellow.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/481907-ezekwesili-joins-yale-university-as-senior-fellow.html|title = Ezekwesili joins Yale University as senior fellow &#124; Premium Times Nigeria|date = 29 August 2021|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]}}</ref><ref name="education">{{cite web |last1=Yale |first1=University |title=Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs |url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/ |website=Yale edu |publisher=Yale University |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * On May 20, 2022, Dr Oby received the most impactful woman of the year Award. It was hosted by The [https://www.womenofinestimablevalues.org Women of inestimable values] foundation impact makers award to celebrate impact makers across the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-16 |title=Vanguard |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/wivf-recognises-impact-makers-launches-book-to-celebrate-5th-year-anniversary/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks|d=Q7074927|c=Category:Oby Ezekwesili|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}} * [https://twitter.com/obyezeks Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter] * [https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/ Obiageli Ezekwesili] * [https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili Obiageli Ezekwesili | Africa Region Vice President] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili |date=16 October 2021 }} * [https://archive.today/20130416060748/http://go.worldbank.org/0YXPCPBHW0 Interview with Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for the World Bank Africa Region]. The World Bank, November–December 2007 {{Cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo 2003-2007}} {{Human rights in Nigeria}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ezekwesili, Obiageli}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Nigerian accountants]] [[Category:Nigerian economists]] [[Category:Nigerian women economists]] [[Category:World Bank people]] [[Category:University of Lagos alumni]] [[Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni]] [[Category:Federal ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:University of Nigeria alumni]] [[Category:1963 births]] [[Category:Nigerian women activists]] [[Category:Nigerian human rights activists]] [[Category:Women government ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:Nigerian officials of the United Nations]] [[Category:Candidates for President of Nigeria]] so1gpn5dpyb53ip47eaix5q74nogr0z 40194 40193 2026-04-16T04:39:21Z Anniwinner 897 #IGL #FNFIGL 40194 wikitext text/x-wiki {{Short description|Nigerian accountant and politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili | image = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, 2009 World Economic Forum on Africa.jpg | office1 = Federal Minister of Solid Minerals, Nigeria | term_start1 = June 2005 | term_end1 = June 2006 | predecessor1 = [[Odion Ugbesia]] | successor1 = [[Leslye Obiora]] | office2 = Federal Minister of Education, Nigeria | term_start2 = June 2006 | term_end2 = April 2007 | predecessor2 = [[Chinwe Obaji]] | successor2 = [[Abba Sayyadi Ruma]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|04|28}} | birth_place = [[Anambra State]], Nigeria | death_date = | death_place = | party = | spouse = Chinedu Ezekwesili | education = [[Harvard Kennedy School]]<br />[[University of Lagos]]<br />[[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]] | profession = Chartered accountant, economic policy | nationality = [[Nigerian]] | children = 3 | honorific_prefix = [[Commander of the Federal Republic|CFR]] | nickname = 'Madam Due Process' }} '''Obiageli''' "'''Oby'''" '''Ezekwesili''' {{IPAc-en||audio=LL-Q33578 (ibo)-Olugold-Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili.wav}} (Ma bi ọjọ Ogwu ny'oke mẹjọ ochu ẹlẹ ọdọ 1963) ẹnẹ Naijeriya ka ki chẹ ma [[economic policy|ọda ẹnwu ki ya nẹ ọkọ wa]] nyọnyọ, ẹnẹ ki ya j'uja ẹnwu eche fẹr'eju, ohi ẹnwu eko nyọnyọ, ọda e gw'ọnyu nyọnyọ kpai unyọgba amónẹ, [[humanitarian|ẹnẹ ki ya che ẹnwu nwu ami ọja]] ka kpai manyu onwu che ẹnẹ ki chanẹ ẹnẹ a[[ACTivists|a j'uja nwu amonẹ]]. I che [[vice president|arọne agboji]] nwu [[World Bank]] (Africa region) kw'obi, i che chanẹ [[Transparency International]] I la che onẹ ka efu abo kuma chanẹ ujọ [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|#BringBackOurGirls]] manyu i che federal [[Minister (government)|Minister]] yi [[Nigeria]] onu mejí.<ref>{{Cite journal |last= |first= |date=2024 |title=Dr. Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://nigeriareposit.nln.gov.ng/handle/20.500.14186/1049 |journal=National Library of Nigeria |language=en}}</ref> Onwu ñọ [[Organizational founder|chanẹ]] #FixPolitics Initiative, ugbo ki abo kuma ch'ọma ojanẹ a che u tene,<ref name="Governance">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=#Fix |title=Governance and leadership |url=https://www.fixpolitics.org |website=#FixPolitics |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> unyi ukọchẹ eyi politics [[Policy]] and [[Governance]] (SPPG),<ref name="SPPG">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=SPPG |title=SPPG |url=https://thesppg.org/ |website=School of policy and Governance |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai Human Capital Africa.<ref name="ref">{{cite web |last1=HumCapAfrica |first1=Human Capital Africa |title=HCA |url=https://humcapafrica.org |website=Human Capital Africa |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ki amonẹ atẹ e dọ "Oby", Ezekwesili che ẹnẹ ka efu board of directors eyi [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> ẹnẹ ka efu[[Fundacao Dom Cabral]],<ref name="board fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai agboji board of trustees eyi Ehizua Hub.<ref name="chairperson ehizua">{{cite web |last1=Ehizua |first1=Ehizua |title=Ehizua Education and Creative Technology Hub |url=https://ehizua.com/ |website=Ehizua |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ezekwesili is also a [[chartered accountant]], [[public analyst]], and senior [[economic advisor]] from [[Anambra]] state.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=2020-04-18|title=Oby Ezekwesili mourns Abba Kyari|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/oby-ezekwesili-mourns-abba-kyari/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2021-02-10|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=DR OBIAGELI EZEKWESILI – 2020 APF Conference|url=https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-19|language=en|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019121722/https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesppg.org/|title=Join the Next Class|website=SPPG}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fixpolitics.org/|title=Home|website=#FixPolitics}}</ref> == Ọlayi ẹgba ejodudu kpai Ukọchẹ == Ma bi Ezekwesili yi [[Anambra State|Lagos state]] nwu Benjamin Ujubuonu, ki kwu efu ọdọ 1988, kpai Cecilia Nwayiaka Ujubuonu. Ezekwesili nẹ bachelor's degree kwi [[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]], master's degree efu [[International law|International Law]] kpai Diplomacy kwi [[University of Lagos]], kpai [[Master of Public Administration]] degree kwi [[Harvard Kennedy School]] yi [[Harvard University]]. I che ukọchẹ kpai ugbo ùkọlọ [[Deloitte and Touche]] i la fẹ bọjọ ki che[[chartered accountant]].<ref name="wbank"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili {{!}} Africa Region Vice President|url=https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|access-date=2021-05-25|website=blogs.worldbank.org|date=29 September 2011|language=en|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|url-status=dead}}</ref> Taki ichanẹ e chùkọlọ nwu government eyi Nigeria, Ezekwesiili ch'ukọlọ kpai Professor [[Jeffrey Sachs]] yi [[Center for International Development]] yi Harvard, i che Director eyi Harvard-Nigeria Economic Strategy Project.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SPE Login|url=https://www.spe.org/appssecured/login/servlet/TpSSOServlet?resource=higherlogic|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/|title = Oby Ezekwesili}}</ref> === Ukọlọ === Ezekwesili che ukọlọ [[Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Solid Minerals]] kpai [[Federal Ministry of Education (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Education]] ubi lẹ. Kwi ochu ẹlu ọdọ 2007 ti ochu ẹlu 2012, i che arọne‑agboji nwu Africa yi [[World Bank]]. Ẹnẹ ki wa ubi nwu che [[Makhtar Diop]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|title=Makhtar Diop is new World Bank Africa head|work=Africa Review|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-UK|archive-date=11 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511001632/http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> I che fellow ogijo yi [[Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs]]. === Transparency International ọdọ 1994-1999 === I che ẹnẹ ka efu abo kuma chanẹ [[Transparency International]], onwu che ẹnẹ ka efu ami director ejodudu nwu ujọ amonẹ ki ya juja corruption ọjanẹ ilẹ chaka ki dẹ [[Berlin, Germany]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Book Oby Ezekwesili as a keynote speaker|url=https://www.chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/oby-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Chartwell Speakers|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Vital Voices|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/|website=Vital Voices|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ===1999-2007=== Ezekwesili started in the [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] administration as the pioneer head of the Budget Monitoring and [[Price Intelligence]] Unit (aka Due Process Unit). It was in this position that she earned the sobriquet of "Madam Due Process" for her work of leading a team of professionals to sanitize the public procurement and contracting processes at the federal level in Nigeria.<ref name="career">{{cite web |last1=VenturesAfrica |first1=Africa |title=Madam Due Process - Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://venturesafrica.com/madam-due-processoby-ezekwesili-world-bank-former-vice-president-for-africa/ |website=Venturesafrica.com |date=22 September 2012 |publisher=Ventures |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="research">{{cite journal |last1=Due process |first1=madam |title=University of Lagos - A study of the public Life of Madam Due Process |journal=Lagos Notes and Records |date=28 February 2021 |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=225–248 |url=http://lnr.unilag.edu.ng/article/view/1200 |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> She was the architect of the Bureau for Public Procurement legislation, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) legislation, and the new Minerals and Mining legislation during her six and a half year stint in government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=InvestEgate {{!}} Company Announcements {{!}} Home {{!}} FTSE 100, 250, AIM, techMARK|url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/|website=www.investegate.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Solid Minerals ==== In June 2005, Ezekwesili was appointed Minister of Solid Minerals (Mines and Steel), where she led a reform program that led to Nigeria's global recognition as a credible mining investment destination. She was also the Chairperson of the NEITI, and led the first national implementation of the global standards and principles of transparency in the oil, gas and mining sector.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UNESCO|url=https://en.unesco.org/|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Education ==== In June 2006, Ezekwesili was appointed the Federal Minister of Education, a post she held until she took up a [[World Bank]] appointment in May 2007.<ref name="wbank">{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/0,,contentMDK:21270986~menuPK:258657~pagePK:2865106~piPK:2865128~theSitePK:258644,00.html |title=Obiageli Ezekwesili Appointed As Vice President for the Africa Region |date=23 March 2007 |publisher=The World Bank |access-date=19 February 2010}}</ref> While in government, Ezekwesili led the restructuring and refocusing of the Education Ministry for the attainment of [[Education For All|Education for All]] (EfA) targets and [[Millennium Development Goals]]. She also introduced [[public-private partnership]]s for education service delivery, revamped the Federal Inspectorate Service as an improved quality assurance mechanism, and introduced transparency and accountability mechanisms for better governance of the budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proshareng.com/news/People/Profile--Ms-Obiageli-Katryn-Ezekwesili----Accountability-&-Transparency-Quest/19200|title = Profile: Ms Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili - Accountability & Transparency Quest}}</ref> === Vice president, World Bank's Africa region === In March 2007, [[World Bank]] President [[Paul Wolfowitz]] announced the appointment of Ezekwesili as vice president for the Africa region starting on 1 May 2007.<ref name="wbank" /> In 2012, she successfully completed her stint as vice president for the World Bank's Africa region.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Egbas|first=Jude|title=10 amazing things you didn"t know about Oby Ezekwesili|language=en-US|url=http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|access-date=2017-10-07|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007222903/http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> As vice president, she was in charge of the bank's operations of 48 countries in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]] and supervised a lending portfolio of over $40 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Social Media Week|url=https://socialmediaweek.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=Social Media Week|language=en-US|archive-date=23 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523050956/https://socialmediaweek.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Later career== As a senior economic advisor for [[Open Society Foundations|Open Society]], a group founded by [[George Soros]], Ezekwesili advises nine reform-committed African heads of state including [[Paul Kagame]] of [[Rwanda]] and [[Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf]] of [[Liberia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Somerville College Oxford|url=https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/|website=www.some.ox.ac.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> === Board memberships === On 1 October 2012, one of the world's leading telecommunications firms, [[Bharti Airtel]], with operations in 20 countries, named Ezekwesili as a director on its board. She is also on the boards of [[World Wildlife Fund]], the School of Public Policy of [[Central European University]], the Harold Hartog School of Government and Policy, ''[[New African]]'' magazine, [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board_wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> [[Fundacao Dom Cabral]]<ref name="board_fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |publisher=FDC |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and the Center for Global Leadership [[Tufts University]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The World Economic Forum|url=https://www.weforum.org/|website=World Economic Forum|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> In April 2020, she was appointed to the board of trustees of the [[International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation]] where she contributes to overseeing their expansion in developing economies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IBFD Your Portal to Cross Border Tax Expertise|url=https://www.ibfd.org/|website=www.ibfd.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> She is also the co-chair of the [[World Economic Forum]] Africa Regional Stewardship Board.<ref name="Honorary">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Co-chair of Africa Regional Board World Economic Forum |url=https://www.weforum.org/people/obiageli-katryn-ezekwesili |website=Weforum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="enlist_Honor">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Launch of Davos Friends of Africa Growth Platform |url=https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/01/launch-of-davos-friends-of-africa-growth-platform/ |website=world Economic Forum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=University of Cape Town |first1=UCT |title=WEF names Pityana as co-chair of its Africa board |url=http://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2020-01-31-wef-names-pityana-as-co-chair-of-its-africa-board |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=University of Cape Town |publisher=University of Cape Town News |date=31 January 2020}}</ref> In January 2019, Ezekwesili was appointed on the advisory board of directors<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-12|title=Oby Ezekwesili launches scholarship programme for young Nigerian women|url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US|archive-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204022658/https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|url-status=dead}}</ref> of Nexford University in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington DC]] and subsequently launched a scholarship program dedicated to women in [[Nigeria]]. In December 2021, Nexford University appointed her as a member of its board of directors.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-18|title=Nexford University Appoints Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili Into Board Of Directors|url=https://geeky.com.ng/nexford-university-appoints-dr-obiageli-ezekwesili-into-board-of-directors/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Geeky Nigeria|language=en-US}}</ref> She is also the Senior Economic Adviser to the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative<ref name="senior_adviser">{{cite web |last1=Economic Advisory |first1=aedpi |title=Senior Economic Adviser Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative |url=https://theaedpi.org/ |website=theaedpi |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and a member of the advisory board of the [[Institute for State Effectiveness]].<ref name="advisory_board_of_effectiveness">{{cite web |last1=Advisory Board |first1=member |title=The Institute for State Effectiveness |url=https://effectivestates.org/who-we-are/ |website=effectivestates.org |publisher=ISE |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> === Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign === In March 2014, Ezekwesili delivered a speech at the national summit of the [[All Progressives Congress]] (APC), Nigeria's leading opposition party. She criticized the many cross-carpeting governors and urged the party to have "a conversation deeper than how you're going to chase (the ruling) PDP out of power".<ref>Ayokunle Odekunle, [http://www.ynaija.com/ten-things-you-should-know-about-oby-ezekwesilis-speech-at-the-apc-national-summit/ "10 things you SHOULD know about Oby Ezekwesili's speech at the APC National summit"], Naija.com.</ref> After [[2014 Chibok kidnapping|nearly 300 mainly Christian girls were abducted]] from [[Chibok]] by the [[Islamist]] militant group [[Boko Haram]],<ref>David Smith, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/nigeria-launches-military-operation-to-find-kidnapped-girls "Military operation launched to locate kidnapped Nigerian girls"], ''The Guardian'', 14 May 2014: "Although most of the abducted girls are Christian, all were wearing Muslim dress and two were singled out to say they had converted to Islam."</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27389082 "Nigeria abduction video: Schoolgirls 'recognised'"], BBC, 13 May 2014: "The girls' families have said that most of those seized are Christians, although there are a number of Muslims among them."</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Terrorists kidnap more than 200 Nigerian girls|date=21 April 2014|work=USA Today|first=Oren|last=Dorell|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/21/parents-234-girls-kidnapped-from-nigeria-school/7958307/|access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref> Ezekwesili used the [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|Bring Back Our Girls]] (BBOG) advocacy group to draw global attention to the plight of all persons who have been abducted by terrorists from Nigeria's war ravaged northeast region.<ref name=":0" /> She was instrumental to the start of the viral [[#Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign]] on social media, which trended internationally. On 23 April, at the opening ceremony for a [[UNESCO]] event honoring the city of [[Port Harcourt]] as the 2014 [[World Book Capital]] city, she urged Nigerians to not just tweet but actively participate in efforts to "bring back our girls".<ref>Nadia Nasanovsky, [http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/158929/a-global-effort-to-%E2%80%98bring-back-our-girls%E2%80%99 "A global effort to ‘Bring Back Our Girls’"], ''Buenos Aires herald'', 8 May 2014.</ref><ref>Emma Howard, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/07/bring-back-our-girls-global-protests-abduction-nigerian-schoolgirls "Bring back our girls: global protests over abduction of Nigerian schoolgirls"], ''The Guardian'', 7 May 2014.</ref><ref name="cnn_gps">{{cite news |last1=GPS |first1=Chibok |title=On GPS: Where are the missing Chibok girls? |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2019/01/11/exp-gps-0113-ezekwesili-on-chibok-girls-still-captured.cnn |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=CNN |publisher=Fareed Zakaria |date=11 January 2019}}</ref> As she prepared to board a [[British Airways]] flight to London to appear on the [[BBC]] programme ''[[Hard Talk]]'' in July 2014, she was detained by Nigeria's secret service, the [[State Security Service (Nigeria)|SSS]], who also seized her passport.<ref>[http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ "OUTRAGE: BBOG coordinator, Oby Ezekwesili arrested, released"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728092712/http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ |date=28 July 2014 }}, ''Today'', 14 July 2014.</ref><ref>[http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html "#BringBackOurGirls: Oby Ezekwesili detained by SSS officials in Abuja"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324004422/http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html |date=24 March 2017 }}, Pulse.ng, 21 July 2014.</ref> She was later released the same morning. She is the founder and convener of the #RedCardMovement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dailytrust.com/womens-march-celebrating-obys-passion-for-a-new-nigeria/|title=Women's March: celebrating Oby's passion for a new Nigeria|date=March 2021 |accessdate=26 August 2024|newspaper=[[Daily Trust]]}}</ref> == 2019 presidential election== {{Main|2019 Nigerian general election}} Ezekwesili contested for the office of the [[president of Nigeria]] on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack">{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili: Values and vision divergence with ACPN triggered my withdrawal presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152951/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The former minister had hinted at contesting for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/obyezeks/status/1039795704712097792|title=Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en}}</ref> At an event commemorating the 58th anniversary of Nigeria's independence, Pastor [[Tunde Bakare]] announced that she would be running for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-oby-ezekwesili-contest-president-says-tunde-bakare|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare - TheCable|date=2018-10-01|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US|newspaper=[[TheCable]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Oluwamayowa Tijani|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare|date=2018-10-01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-02}}{{cbignore}}</ref> One of her campaign promises was to lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili officially flags off presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |access-date=8 January 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oaktv |date=8 January 2019 |archive-date=8 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108200631/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="cnn_amanpour">{{cite web |last1=Amanpour |first1=Christine |title=Ezekwesili's interview with Christine Amanpour |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2018/11/21/nigerian-presidential-candidate-oby-ezekwesili-amanpour.cnn |website=CNN |date=21 November 2018 |publisher=Christine Amanpour |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="yahoo_abrams">{{cite web |last1=Abrams |first1=Stacey |title=Stacey Abrams interviews Ezekwesili |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |website=yahoo |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113193715/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 24 January 2019, Ezekwesili withdrew from the presidential race,<ref>{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili withdraws from presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152929/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> owing to a divergence of values and visions with her political party.<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack"/> However, later in the day, the [[Independent National Electoral Commission (Nigeria)|Independent National Electoral Commission]]<ref>{{cite news |title=INEC Receives N198bn for General Election |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152753/https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> said it was too late for anyone to withdraw from the race because the ballot materials had already been prepared. For that reason, the crest of the party would still appear.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ezekwesili: It's too late for candidates to step down, says INEC |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152838/https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Fela Durotoye]] commended Ezekwesili for taking the lead and clamouring for a coalition to end the rule of #APCPDP.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fela Durotoye Commends Oby Ezekwesili, expresses commitment to renew search for coalition candidate |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=24 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124212611/https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 4 February 2019, Ezekwesili organised a press conference in NICON Luxury Hall, Abuja. She spoke during her press conference about her rough political journey while campaigning for the office of the President of Nigeria under the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=INSIDE DETAILS: Oby Ezekwesili opens up on her rough political journey |url=https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015323/https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> She also gave a motivational speech as she stepped down from the 2019 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili's emotional speech as she takes a bow from 2019 presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015320/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 7 February 2019, Ezekwesili published her campaign finances. The report shows she spent 48 million Naira between 1 October 2018 and 2 February 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/oby-ezekwesili-publishes-campaign-finances/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Oby Ezekwesili publishes campaign finances|date = 7 February 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref> == Personal life == Oby is married to Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili of the [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]] (RCCG) and has three sons: Chinemelum, Chinweuba and Chidera.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Oby Ezekwesili Offers Marriage Tips To Young Nigerians|language=en-gb|work=Nigeriafilms.com|url=https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|access-date=2018-05-24|archive-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524222825/https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2021, Ezekwesili submitted a petition to the [[Inspector General of Police (Nigeria)|Inspector General of Police]] against [[Japheth J. Omojuwa|Japhet Omojuwa]], accusing him of fraudulently using her name as a director in his firm, Alpha Reach Company Limited.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-04-16|title=Fraud: Ezekwesili submits evidence against Omojuwa to IGP, demands prosecution|url=https://punchng.com/fraud-ezekwesili-submits-evidence-against-omojuwa-to-ig-demands-prosecution/|access-date=2021-04-17|newspaper=[[The Punch]]|language=en-US}}</ref> == Awards and recognition == * In 2006, Ezekwesili was given the national award of [[Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic]] (CFR).<ref name="auto"/> * In May 2012, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (DSC) degree by the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nexford University|url=https://www.nexford.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=www.nexford.org|language=en}}</ref> She was selected as one of the [[BBC 100 Women|BBC's 100 Women]] in 2013 and 2014.<ref>{{cite web|date=22 November 2013|title=100 Women: Who took part?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-24579511|website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=26 October 2014|title=Who are the 100 Women 2014?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-29758792|access-date=4 December 2016|publisher=BBC}}</ref> *In December 2012, Ezekwesili was named by the ''[[New African]]'' magazine as one of the 100 Most influential Africans.<ref name="influential award">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=100 Most Influential |title=100 Most Influential Africans |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/3375/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |publisher=New African |date=23 December 2012}}</ref> *In December 2014, Ezekwesili was named again among the 2014 most influential Africans - Civil Society and Activism by the ''New African'' magazine.<ref name="influential award 2">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=Most Influential |title=Civil Society & Activism |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/9340/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=NewAfrican |publisher=New African Magazine |date=22 December 2014}}</ref> *In March 2016, Ezekwesili won the 2016 New Africa women award.<ref name="women awards">{{cite news |last1=Awards |first1=women |title=New Africa |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/events/new-africa-women-awards-2016-oby-ezekwesili-zuriel-oduwole-jumoke-adenowo-and-others/hrwpp5t |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=New Africa |publisher=Pulse Ng |date=12 March 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * In July 2016, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary graduate degree by the [[University of Essex]], [[United Kingdom]], where she presented an inspiring and impassioned speech to the graduating students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www1.essex.ac.uk/news/event.aspx?e_id=10662|title=Bring Back Our Girls campaigner Obiageli Ezekwesili awarded Honorary Degree by University of Essex - News - University of Essex|website=www1.essex.ac.uk}}</ref> * In March 2019, Ezekwesili won the Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award for her efforts on the #BringBackOurGirls campaign on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|date=2019-03-26|title=Ezekwesili wins Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/322500-ezekwesili-wins-forbes-woman-africa-social-influencer-award.html|access-date=2019-03-27|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]|language=en-GB}}</ref> * In 2019, she was awarded a Richard Von Weizsäcker Fellowship at the [[Robert Bosch Academy]] in Berlin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/ezekwesili-others-bag-weizsacker-fellowship-in-germany/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Ezekwesili, others bag Weizsäcker fellowship in Germany|date = 2 September 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertboschacademy.de/en/fellow/obiageli-ezekwesili|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|website=Robert Bosch Academy}}</ref> * She was selected as a 2020 Global Leadership Awards honoree.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Vital Voices|language=en}}</ref> Also named as one of 100 visionaries featured in the 3D book "Genius:100 Visionary Thinkers launched in [[Montreal]], [[Canada]] in 2017 by Albert Einstein's Foundations. * In 2020, she was invested as a global leader by the [[Vital Voices]] Global leadership awards.<ref name="awards">{{cite web |last1=Voices |first1=Vital |title=Global Leadership Awards |url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/what-we-do/individual-investments/honoree-program-2/ |website=Vital Voices Global Partnership |publisher=Vital Voices |access-date=12 January 2022 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * She was recognized by ''Time'' magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People and by the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' as one of the 25 Women of Impact for 2015. * She holds the [[Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Public Service]] of the [[Harvard Kennedy School|Harvard Kennedy School of Government]], and the Tuft University EPIIC Jean Meyer Award. She is a Democracy Ambassador -International IDEA, and a 2018 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] nominee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biography of Dr (Mrs.) Obiageli (Oby) Katryn Ezekwesili |url=http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |website=ACUF Asthma Conference |access-date=25 May 2021 |archive-date=25 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525190036/http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> * She is one of the 100 Genius Visionaries inducted by the Genius 100 Foundation.<ref name="Honors">{{cite web |last1=Visionaries |first1=Genius 100 |title=An Active and engaged Community of 100 exceptional Individuals |url=https://www.genius100visions.com/ |website=Genius 100 visions |publisher=Genius 100 Foundation |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * In August 2021, Ezekwesili joined [[Yale University]]'s Jackson School of Global Affairs as a senior fellow.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/481907-ezekwesili-joins-yale-university-as-senior-fellow.html|title = Ezekwesili joins Yale University as senior fellow &#124; Premium Times Nigeria|date = 29 August 2021|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]}}</ref><ref name="education">{{cite web |last1=Yale |first1=University |title=Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs |url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/ |website=Yale edu |publisher=Yale University |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * On May 20, 2022, Dr Oby received the most impactful woman of the year Award. It was hosted by The [https://www.womenofinestimablevalues.org Women of inestimable values] foundation impact makers award to celebrate impact makers across the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-16 |title=Vanguard |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/wivf-recognises-impact-makers-launches-book-to-celebrate-5th-year-anniversary/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks|d=Q7074927|c=Category:Oby Ezekwesili|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}} * [https://twitter.com/obyezeks Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter] * [https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/ Obiageli Ezekwesili] * [https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili Obiageli Ezekwesili | Africa Region Vice President] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili |date=16 October 2021 }} * [https://archive.today/20130416060748/http://go.worldbank.org/0YXPCPBHW0 Interview with Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for the World Bank Africa Region]. The World Bank, November–December 2007 {{Cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo 2003-2007}} {{Human rights in Nigeria}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ezekwesili, Obiageli}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Nigerian accountants]] [[Category:Nigerian economists]] [[Category:Nigerian women economists]] [[Category:World Bank people]] [[Category:University of Lagos alumni]] [[Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni]] [[Category:Federal ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:University of Nigeria alumni]] [[Category:1963 births]] [[Category:Nigerian women activists]] [[Category:Nigerian human rights activists]] [[Category:Women government ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:Nigerian officials of the United Nations]] [[Category:Candidates for President of Nigeria]] 9eokce4hptd6hnlilhn8gtq75vii2g6 40195 40194 2026-04-16T04:57:12Z Anniwinner 897 #IGL #FNFIGL 40195 wikitext text/x-wiki {{Short description|Nigerian accountant and politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili | image = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, 2009 World Economic Forum on Africa.jpg | office1 = Federal Minister of Solid Minerals, Nigeria | term_start1 = June 2005 | term_end1 = June 2006 | predecessor1 = [[Odion Ugbesia]] | successor1 = [[Leslye Obiora]] | office2 = Federal Minister of Education, Nigeria | term_start2 = June 2006 | term_end2 = April 2007 | predecessor2 = [[Chinwe Obaji]] | successor2 = [[Abba Sayyadi Ruma]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|04|28}} | birth_place = [[Anambra State]], Nigeria | death_date = | death_place = | party = | spouse = Chinedu Ezekwesili | education = [[Harvard Kennedy School]]<br />[[University of Lagos]]<br />[[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]] | profession = Chartered accountant, economic policy | nationality = [[Nigerian]] | children = 3 | honorific_prefix = [[Commander of the Federal Republic|CFR]] | nickname = 'Madam Due Process' }} '''Obiageli''' "'''Oby'''" '''Ezekwesili''' {{IPAc-en||audio=LL-Q33578 (ibo)-Olugold-Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili.wav}} (Ma bi ọjọ Ogwu ny'oke mẹjọ ochu ẹlẹ ọdọ 1963) ẹnẹ Naijeriya ka ki chẹ ma [[economic policy|ọda ẹnwu ki ya nẹ ọkọ wa]] nyọnyọ, ẹnẹ ki ya j'uja ẹnwu eche fẹr'eju, ohi ẹnwu eko nyọnyọ, ọda e gw'ọnyu nyọnyọ kpai unyọgba amónẹ, [[humanitarian|ẹnẹ ki ya che ẹnwu nwu ami ọja]] ka kpai manyu onwu che ẹnẹ ki chanẹ ẹnẹ a[[ACTivists|a j'uja nwu amonẹ]]. I che [[vice president|arọne agboji]] nwu [[World Bank]] (Africa region) kw'obi, i che chanẹ [[Transparency International]] I la che onẹ ka efu abo kuma chanẹ ujọ [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|#BringBackOurGirls]] manyu i che federal [[Minister (government)|Minister]] yi [[Nigeria]] onu mejí.<ref>{{Cite journal |last= |first= |date=2024 |title=Dr. Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://nigeriareposit.nln.gov.ng/handle/20.500.14186/1049 |journal=National Library of Nigeria |language=en}}</ref> Onwu ñọ [[Organizational founder|chanẹ]] #FixPolitics Initiative, ugbo ki abo kuma ch'ọma ojanẹ a che u tene,<ref name="Governance">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=#Fix |title=Governance and leadership |url=https://www.fixpolitics.org |website=#FixPolitics |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> unyi ukọchẹ eyi politics [[Policy]] and [[Governance]] (SPPG),<ref name="SPPG">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=SPPG |title=SPPG |url=https://thesppg.org/ |website=School of policy and Governance |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai Human Capital Africa.<ref name="ref">{{cite web |last1=HumCapAfrica |first1=Human Capital Africa |title=HCA |url=https://humcapafrica.org |website=Human Capital Africa |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ki amonẹ atẹ e dọ "Oby", Ezekwesili che ẹnẹ ka efu board of directors eyi [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> ẹnẹ ka efu[[Fundacao Dom Cabral]],<ref name="board fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai agboji board of trustees eyi Ehizua Hub.<ref name="chairperson ehizua">{{cite web |last1=Ehizua |first1=Ehizua |title=Ehizua Education and Creative Technology Hub |url=https://ehizua.com/ |website=Ehizua |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ezekwesili is also a [[chartered accountant]], [[public analyst]], and senior [[economic advisor]] from [[Anambra]] state.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=2020-04-18|title=Oby Ezekwesili mourns Abba Kyari|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/oby-ezekwesili-mourns-abba-kyari/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2021-02-10|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=DR OBIAGELI EZEKWESILI – 2020 APF Conference|url=https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-19|language=en|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019121722/https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesppg.org/|title=Join the Next Class|website=SPPG}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fixpolitics.org/|title=Home|website=#FixPolitics}}</ref> == Ọlayi ẹgba ejodudu kpai Ukọchẹ == Ma bi Ezekwesili yi [[Anambra State|Lagos state]] nwu Benjamin Ujubuonu, ki kwu efu ọdọ 1988, kpai Cecilia Nwayiaka Ujubuonu. Ezekwesili nẹ bachelor's degree kwi [[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]], master's degree efu [[International law|International Law]] kpai Diplomacy kwi [[University of Lagos]], kpai [[Master of Public Administration]] degree kwi [[Harvard Kennedy School]] yi [[Harvard University]]. I che ukọchẹ kpai ugbo ùkọlọ [[Deloitte and Touche]] i la fẹ bọjọ ki che[[chartered accountant]].<ref name="wbank"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili {{!}} Africa Region Vice President|url=https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|access-date=2021-05-25|website=blogs.worldbank.org|date=29 September 2011|language=en|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|url-status=dead}}</ref> Taki ichanẹ e chùkọlọ nwu government eyi Nigeria, Ezekwesiili ch'ukọlọ kpai Professor [[Jeffrey Sachs]] yi [[Center for International Development]] yi Harvard, i che Director eyi Harvard-Nigeria Economic Strategy Project.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SPE Login|url=https://www.spe.org/appssecured/login/servlet/TpSSOServlet?resource=higherlogic|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/|title = Oby Ezekwesili}}</ref> === Ukọlọ === Ezekwesili che ukọlọ [[Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Solid Minerals]] kpai [[Federal Ministry of Education (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Education]] ubi lẹ. Kwi ochu ẹlu ọdọ 2007 ti ochu ẹlu 2012, i che arọne‑agboji nwu Africa yi [[World Bank]]. Ẹnẹ ki wa ubi nwu che [[Makhtar Diop]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|title=Makhtar Diop is new World Bank Africa head|work=Africa Review|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-UK|archive-date=11 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511001632/http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> I che fellow ogijo yi [[Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs]]. === Transparency International ọdọ 1994-1999 === I che ẹnẹ ka efu abo kuma chanẹ [[Transparency International]], onwu che ẹnẹ ka efu ami director ejodudu nwu ujọ amonẹ ki ya juja corruption ọjanẹ ilẹ chaka ki dẹ [[Berlin, Germany]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Book Oby Ezekwesili as a keynote speaker|url=https://www.chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/oby-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Chartwell Speakers|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Vital Voices|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/|website=Vital Voices|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ===Ọdọ 1999-2007=== Ezekwesili chanẹ yi ọfẹ[[Olusegun Obasanjo]] ugbo ki che agboji Budget Monitoring kpai [[Price Intelligence]] Unit (aka Due Process Unit) ejodudu. Efu uña yi onwu i nẹ odu "Madam Due Process" todu ukọlọ nwu efu enẹ ujọ abo kuma n'uma le kuma che ki ẹnwu ami ọja ela kpai ami ọna kuma adu ukọlọ nwu amonẹ che yi uña federal yi Nigeria ki chẹ fẹ.<ref name="career">{{cite web |last1=VenturesAfrica |first1=Africa |title=Madam Due Process - Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://venturesafrica.com/madam-due-processoby-ezekwesili-world-bank-former-vice-president-for-africa/ |website=Venturesafrica.com |date=22 September 2012 |publisher=Ventures |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="research">{{cite journal |last1=Due process |first1=madam |title=University of Lagos - A study of the public Life of Madam Due Process |journal=Lagos Notes and Records |date=28 February 2021 |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=225–248 |url=http://lnr.unilag.edu.ng/article/view/1200 |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> Onwu che uchanẹ Bureau for Public Procurement legislation, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) legislation, kpai Minerals and Mining legislation etitọ ẹgba ọdọ mẹfa nyi ukpẹru ki dẹ efugovernment.<ref>{{Cite web|title=InvestEgate {{!}} Company Announcements {{!}} Home {{!}} FTSE 100, 250, AIM, techMARK|url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/|website=www.investegate.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Solid Minerals ==== In June 2005, Ezekwesili was appointed Minister of Solid Minerals (Mines and Steel), where she led a reform program that led to Nigeria's global recognition as a credible mining investment destination. She was also the Chairperson of the NEITI, and led the first national implementation of the global standards and principles of transparency in the oil, gas and mining sector.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UNESCO|url=https://en.unesco.org/|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Education ==== In June 2006, Ezekwesili was appointed the Federal Minister of Education, a post she held until she took up a [[World Bank]] appointment in May 2007.<ref name="wbank">{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/0,,contentMDK:21270986~menuPK:258657~pagePK:2865106~piPK:2865128~theSitePK:258644,00.html |title=Obiageli Ezekwesili Appointed As Vice President for the Africa Region |date=23 March 2007 |publisher=The World Bank |access-date=19 February 2010}}</ref> While in government, Ezekwesili led the restructuring and refocusing of the Education Ministry for the attainment of [[Education For All|Education for All]] (EfA) targets and [[Millennium Development Goals]]. She also introduced [[public-private partnership]]s for education service delivery, revamped the Federal Inspectorate Service as an improved quality assurance mechanism, and introduced transparency and accountability mechanisms for better governance of the budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proshareng.com/news/People/Profile--Ms-Obiageli-Katryn-Ezekwesili----Accountability-&-Transparency-Quest/19200|title = Profile: Ms Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili - Accountability & Transparency Quest}}</ref> === Vice president, World Bank's Africa region === In March 2007, [[World Bank]] President [[Paul Wolfowitz]] announced the appointment of Ezekwesili as vice president for the Africa region starting on 1 May 2007.<ref name="wbank" /> In 2012, she successfully completed her stint as vice president for the World Bank's Africa region.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Egbas|first=Jude|title=10 amazing things you didn"t know about Oby Ezekwesili|language=en-US|url=http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|access-date=2017-10-07|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007222903/http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> As vice president, she was in charge of the bank's operations of 48 countries in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]] and supervised a lending portfolio of over $40 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Social Media Week|url=https://socialmediaweek.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=Social Media Week|language=en-US|archive-date=23 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523050956/https://socialmediaweek.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Later career== As a senior economic advisor for [[Open Society Foundations|Open Society]], a group founded by [[George Soros]], Ezekwesili advises nine reform-committed African heads of state including [[Paul Kagame]] of [[Rwanda]] and [[Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf]] of [[Liberia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Somerville College Oxford|url=https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/|website=www.some.ox.ac.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> === Board memberships === On 1 October 2012, one of the world's leading telecommunications firms, [[Bharti Airtel]], with operations in 20 countries, named Ezekwesili as a director on its board. She is also on the boards of [[World Wildlife Fund]], the School of Public Policy of [[Central European University]], the Harold Hartog School of Government and Policy, ''[[New African]]'' magazine, [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board_wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> [[Fundacao Dom Cabral]]<ref name="board_fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |publisher=FDC |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and the Center for Global Leadership [[Tufts University]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The World Economic Forum|url=https://www.weforum.org/|website=World Economic Forum|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> In April 2020, she was appointed to the board of trustees of the [[International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation]] where she contributes to overseeing their expansion in developing economies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IBFD Your Portal to Cross Border Tax Expertise|url=https://www.ibfd.org/|website=www.ibfd.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> She is also the co-chair of the [[World Economic Forum]] Africa Regional Stewardship Board.<ref name="Honorary">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Co-chair of Africa Regional Board World Economic Forum |url=https://www.weforum.org/people/obiageli-katryn-ezekwesili |website=Weforum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="enlist_Honor">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Launch of Davos Friends of Africa Growth Platform |url=https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/01/launch-of-davos-friends-of-africa-growth-platform/ |website=world Economic Forum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=University of Cape Town |first1=UCT |title=WEF names Pityana as co-chair of its Africa board |url=http://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2020-01-31-wef-names-pityana-as-co-chair-of-its-africa-board |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=University of Cape Town |publisher=University of Cape Town News |date=31 January 2020}}</ref> In January 2019, Ezekwesili was appointed on the advisory board of directors<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-12|title=Oby Ezekwesili launches scholarship programme for young Nigerian women|url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US|archive-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204022658/https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|url-status=dead}}</ref> of Nexford University in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington DC]] and subsequently launched a scholarship program dedicated to women in [[Nigeria]]. In December 2021, Nexford University appointed her as a member of its board of directors.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-18|title=Nexford University Appoints Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili Into Board Of Directors|url=https://geeky.com.ng/nexford-university-appoints-dr-obiageli-ezekwesili-into-board-of-directors/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Geeky Nigeria|language=en-US}}</ref> She is also the Senior Economic Adviser to the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative<ref name="senior_adviser">{{cite web |last1=Economic Advisory |first1=aedpi |title=Senior Economic Adviser Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative |url=https://theaedpi.org/ |website=theaedpi |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and a member of the advisory board of the [[Institute for State Effectiveness]].<ref name="advisory_board_of_effectiveness">{{cite web |last1=Advisory Board |first1=member |title=The Institute for State Effectiveness |url=https://effectivestates.org/who-we-are/ |website=effectivestates.org |publisher=ISE |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> === Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign === In March 2014, Ezekwesili delivered a speech at the national summit of the [[All Progressives Congress]] (APC), Nigeria's leading opposition party. She criticized the many cross-carpeting governors and urged the party to have "a conversation deeper than how you're going to chase (the ruling) PDP out of power".<ref>Ayokunle Odekunle, [http://www.ynaija.com/ten-things-you-should-know-about-oby-ezekwesilis-speech-at-the-apc-national-summit/ "10 things you SHOULD know about Oby Ezekwesili's speech at the APC National summit"], Naija.com.</ref> After [[2014 Chibok kidnapping|nearly 300 mainly Christian girls were abducted]] from [[Chibok]] by the [[Islamist]] militant group [[Boko Haram]],<ref>David Smith, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/nigeria-launches-military-operation-to-find-kidnapped-girls "Military operation launched to locate kidnapped Nigerian girls"], ''The Guardian'', 14 May 2014: "Although most of the abducted girls are Christian, all were wearing Muslim dress and two were singled out to say they had converted to Islam."</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27389082 "Nigeria abduction video: Schoolgirls 'recognised'"], BBC, 13 May 2014: "The girls' families have said that most of those seized are Christians, although there are a number of Muslims among them."</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Terrorists kidnap more than 200 Nigerian girls|date=21 April 2014|work=USA Today|first=Oren|last=Dorell|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/21/parents-234-girls-kidnapped-from-nigeria-school/7958307/|access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref> Ezekwesili used the [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|Bring Back Our Girls]] (BBOG) advocacy group to draw global attention to the plight of all persons who have been abducted by terrorists from Nigeria's war ravaged northeast region.<ref name=":0" /> She was instrumental to the start of the viral [[#Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign]] on social media, which trended internationally. On 23 April, at the opening ceremony for a [[UNESCO]] event honoring the city of [[Port Harcourt]] as the 2014 [[World Book Capital]] city, she urged Nigerians to not just tweet but actively participate in efforts to "bring back our girls".<ref>Nadia Nasanovsky, [http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/158929/a-global-effort-to-%E2%80%98bring-back-our-girls%E2%80%99 "A global effort to ‘Bring Back Our Girls’"], ''Buenos Aires herald'', 8 May 2014.</ref><ref>Emma Howard, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/07/bring-back-our-girls-global-protests-abduction-nigerian-schoolgirls "Bring back our girls: global protests over abduction of Nigerian schoolgirls"], ''The Guardian'', 7 May 2014.</ref><ref name="cnn_gps">{{cite news |last1=GPS |first1=Chibok |title=On GPS: Where are the missing Chibok girls? |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2019/01/11/exp-gps-0113-ezekwesili-on-chibok-girls-still-captured.cnn |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=CNN |publisher=Fareed Zakaria |date=11 January 2019}}</ref> As she prepared to board a [[British Airways]] flight to London to appear on the [[BBC]] programme ''[[Hard Talk]]'' in July 2014, she was detained by Nigeria's secret service, the [[State Security Service (Nigeria)|SSS]], who also seized her passport.<ref>[http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ "OUTRAGE: BBOG coordinator, Oby Ezekwesili arrested, released"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728092712/http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ |date=28 July 2014 }}, ''Today'', 14 July 2014.</ref><ref>[http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html "#BringBackOurGirls: Oby Ezekwesili detained by SSS officials in Abuja"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324004422/http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html |date=24 March 2017 }}, Pulse.ng, 21 July 2014.</ref> She was later released the same morning. She is the founder and convener of the #RedCardMovement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dailytrust.com/womens-march-celebrating-obys-passion-for-a-new-nigeria/|title=Women's March: celebrating Oby's passion for a new Nigeria|date=March 2021 |accessdate=26 August 2024|newspaper=[[Daily Trust]]}}</ref> == 2019 presidential election== {{Main|2019 Nigerian general election}} Ezekwesili contested for the office of the [[president of Nigeria]] on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack">{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili: Values and vision divergence with ACPN triggered my withdrawal presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152951/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The former minister had hinted at contesting for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/obyezeks/status/1039795704712097792|title=Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en}}</ref> At an event commemorating the 58th anniversary of Nigeria's independence, Pastor [[Tunde Bakare]] announced that she would be running for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-oby-ezekwesili-contest-president-says-tunde-bakare|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare - TheCable|date=2018-10-01|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US|newspaper=[[TheCable]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Oluwamayowa Tijani|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare|date=2018-10-01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-02}}{{cbignore}}</ref> One of her campaign promises was to lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili officially flags off presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |access-date=8 January 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oaktv |date=8 January 2019 |archive-date=8 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108200631/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="cnn_amanpour">{{cite web |last1=Amanpour |first1=Christine |title=Ezekwesili's interview with Christine Amanpour |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2018/11/21/nigerian-presidential-candidate-oby-ezekwesili-amanpour.cnn |website=CNN |date=21 November 2018 |publisher=Christine Amanpour |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="yahoo_abrams">{{cite web |last1=Abrams |first1=Stacey |title=Stacey Abrams interviews Ezekwesili |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |website=yahoo |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113193715/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 24 January 2019, Ezekwesili withdrew from the presidential race,<ref>{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili withdraws from presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152929/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> owing to a divergence of values and visions with her political party.<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack"/> However, later in the day, the [[Independent National Electoral Commission (Nigeria)|Independent National Electoral Commission]]<ref>{{cite news |title=INEC Receives N198bn for General Election |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152753/https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> said it was too late for anyone to withdraw from the race because the ballot materials had already been prepared. For that reason, the crest of the party would still appear.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ezekwesili: It's too late for candidates to step down, says INEC |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152838/https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Fela Durotoye]] commended Ezekwesili for taking the lead and clamouring for a coalition to end the rule of #APCPDP.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fela Durotoye Commends Oby Ezekwesili, expresses commitment to renew search for coalition candidate |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=24 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124212611/https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 4 February 2019, Ezekwesili organised a press conference in NICON Luxury Hall, Abuja. She spoke during her press conference about her rough political journey while campaigning for the office of the President of Nigeria under the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=INSIDE DETAILS: Oby Ezekwesili opens up on her rough political journey |url=https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015323/https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> She also gave a motivational speech as she stepped down from the 2019 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili's emotional speech as she takes a bow from 2019 presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015320/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 7 February 2019, Ezekwesili published her campaign finances. The report shows she spent 48 million Naira between 1 October 2018 and 2 February 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/oby-ezekwesili-publishes-campaign-finances/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Oby Ezekwesili publishes campaign finances|date = 7 February 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref> == Personal life == Oby is married to Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili of the [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]] (RCCG) and has three sons: Chinemelum, Chinweuba and Chidera.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Oby Ezekwesili Offers Marriage Tips To Young Nigerians|language=en-gb|work=Nigeriafilms.com|url=https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|access-date=2018-05-24|archive-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524222825/https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2021, Ezekwesili submitted a petition to the [[Inspector General of Police (Nigeria)|Inspector General of Police]] against [[Japheth J. Omojuwa|Japhet Omojuwa]], accusing him of fraudulently using her name as a director in his firm, Alpha Reach Company Limited.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-04-16|title=Fraud: Ezekwesili submits evidence against Omojuwa to IGP, demands prosecution|url=https://punchng.com/fraud-ezekwesili-submits-evidence-against-omojuwa-to-ig-demands-prosecution/|access-date=2021-04-17|newspaper=[[The Punch]]|language=en-US}}</ref> == Awards and recognition == * In 2006, Ezekwesili was given the national award of [[Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic]] (CFR).<ref name="auto"/> * In May 2012, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (DSC) degree by the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nexford University|url=https://www.nexford.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=www.nexford.org|language=en}}</ref> She was selected as one of the [[BBC 100 Women|BBC's 100 Women]] in 2013 and 2014.<ref>{{cite web|date=22 November 2013|title=100 Women: Who took part?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-24579511|website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=26 October 2014|title=Who are the 100 Women 2014?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-29758792|access-date=4 December 2016|publisher=BBC}}</ref> *In December 2012, Ezekwesili was named by the ''[[New African]]'' magazine as one of the 100 Most influential Africans.<ref name="influential award">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=100 Most Influential |title=100 Most Influential Africans |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/3375/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |publisher=New African |date=23 December 2012}}</ref> *In December 2014, Ezekwesili was named again among the 2014 most influential Africans - Civil Society and Activism by the ''New African'' magazine.<ref name="influential award 2">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=Most Influential |title=Civil Society & Activism |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/9340/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=NewAfrican |publisher=New African Magazine |date=22 December 2014}}</ref> *In March 2016, Ezekwesili won the 2016 New Africa women award.<ref name="women awards">{{cite news |last1=Awards |first1=women |title=New Africa |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/events/new-africa-women-awards-2016-oby-ezekwesili-zuriel-oduwole-jumoke-adenowo-and-others/hrwpp5t |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=New Africa |publisher=Pulse Ng |date=12 March 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * In July 2016, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary graduate degree by the [[University of Essex]], [[United Kingdom]], where she presented an inspiring and impassioned speech to the graduating students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www1.essex.ac.uk/news/event.aspx?e_id=10662|title=Bring Back Our Girls campaigner Obiageli Ezekwesili awarded Honorary Degree by University of Essex - News - University of Essex|website=www1.essex.ac.uk}}</ref> * In March 2019, Ezekwesili won the Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award for her efforts on the #BringBackOurGirls campaign on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|date=2019-03-26|title=Ezekwesili wins Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/322500-ezekwesili-wins-forbes-woman-africa-social-influencer-award.html|access-date=2019-03-27|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]|language=en-GB}}</ref> * In 2019, she was awarded a Richard Von Weizsäcker Fellowship at the [[Robert Bosch Academy]] in Berlin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/ezekwesili-others-bag-weizsacker-fellowship-in-germany/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Ezekwesili, others bag Weizsäcker fellowship in Germany|date = 2 September 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertboschacademy.de/en/fellow/obiageli-ezekwesili|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|website=Robert Bosch Academy}}</ref> * She was selected as a 2020 Global Leadership Awards honoree.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Vital Voices|language=en}}</ref> Also named as one of 100 visionaries featured in the 3D book "Genius:100 Visionary Thinkers launched in [[Montreal]], [[Canada]] in 2017 by Albert Einstein's Foundations. * In 2020, she was invested as a global leader by the [[Vital Voices]] Global leadership awards.<ref name="awards">{{cite web |last1=Voices |first1=Vital |title=Global Leadership Awards |url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/what-we-do/individual-investments/honoree-program-2/ |website=Vital Voices Global Partnership |publisher=Vital Voices |access-date=12 January 2022 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * She was recognized by ''Time'' magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People and by the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' as one of the 25 Women of Impact for 2015. * She holds the [[Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Public Service]] of the [[Harvard Kennedy School|Harvard Kennedy School of Government]], and the Tuft University EPIIC Jean Meyer Award. She is a Democracy Ambassador -International IDEA, and a 2018 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] nominee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biography of Dr (Mrs.) Obiageli (Oby) Katryn Ezekwesili |url=http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |website=ACUF Asthma Conference |access-date=25 May 2021 |archive-date=25 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525190036/http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> * She is one of the 100 Genius Visionaries inducted by the Genius 100 Foundation.<ref name="Honors">{{cite web |last1=Visionaries |first1=Genius 100 |title=An Active and engaged Community of 100 exceptional Individuals |url=https://www.genius100visions.com/ |website=Genius 100 visions |publisher=Genius 100 Foundation |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * In August 2021, Ezekwesili joined [[Yale University]]'s Jackson School of Global Affairs as a senior fellow.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/481907-ezekwesili-joins-yale-university-as-senior-fellow.html|title = Ezekwesili joins Yale University as senior fellow &#124; Premium Times Nigeria|date = 29 August 2021|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]}}</ref><ref name="education">{{cite web |last1=Yale |first1=University |title=Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs |url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/ |website=Yale edu |publisher=Yale University |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * On May 20, 2022, Dr Oby received the most impactful woman of the year Award. It was hosted by The [https://www.womenofinestimablevalues.org Women of inestimable values] foundation impact makers award to celebrate impact makers across the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-16 |title=Vanguard |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/wivf-recognises-impact-makers-launches-book-to-celebrate-5th-year-anniversary/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks|d=Q7074927|c=Category:Oby Ezekwesili|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}} * [https://twitter.com/obyezeks Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter] * [https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/ Obiageli Ezekwesili] * [https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili Obiageli Ezekwesili | Africa Region Vice President] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili |date=16 October 2021 }} * [https://archive.today/20130416060748/http://go.worldbank.org/0YXPCPBHW0 Interview with Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for the World Bank Africa Region]. The World Bank, November–December 2007 {{Cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo 2003-2007}} {{Human rights in Nigeria}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ezekwesili, Obiageli}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Nigerian accountants]] [[Category:Nigerian economists]] [[Category:Nigerian women economists]] [[Category:World Bank people]] [[Category:University of Lagos alumni]] [[Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni]] [[Category:Federal ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:University of Nigeria alumni]] [[Category:1963 births]] [[Category:Nigerian women activists]] [[Category:Nigerian human rights activists]] [[Category:Women government ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:Nigerian officials of the United Nations]] [[Category:Candidates for President of Nigeria]] a111fdutvcrmphpveq2b10s9ob9haur 40196 40195 2026-04-16T05:05:54Z Anniwinner 897 #IGL #FNFIGL 40196 wikitext text/x-wiki {{Short description|Nigerian accountant and politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili | image = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, 2009 World Economic Forum on Africa.jpg | office1 = Federal Minister of Solid Minerals, Nigeria | term_start1 = June 2005 | term_end1 = June 2006 | predecessor1 = [[Odion Ugbesia]] | successor1 = [[Leslye Obiora]] | office2 = Federal Minister of Education, Nigeria | term_start2 = June 2006 | term_end2 = April 2007 | predecessor2 = [[Chinwe Obaji]] | successor2 = [[Abba Sayyadi Ruma]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|04|28}} | birth_place = [[Anambra State]], Nigeria | death_date = | death_place = | party = | spouse = Chinedu Ezekwesili | education = [[Harvard Kennedy School]]<br />[[University of Lagos]]<br />[[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]] | profession = Chartered accountant, economic policy | nationality = [[Nigerian]] | children = 3 | honorific_prefix = [[Commander of the Federal Republic|CFR]] | nickname = 'Madam Due Process' }} '''Obiageli''' "'''Oby'''" '''Ezekwesili''' {{IPAc-en||audio=LL-Q33578 (ibo)-Olugold-Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili.wav}} (Ma bi ọjọ Ogwu ny'oke mẹjọ ochu ẹlẹ ọdọ 1963) ẹnẹ Naijeriya ka ki chẹ ma [[economic policy|ọda ẹnwu ki ya nẹ ọkọ wa]] nyọnyọ, ẹnẹ ki ya j'uja ẹnwu eche fẹr'eju, ohi ẹnwu eko nyọnyọ, ọda e gw'ọnyu nyọnyọ kpai unyọgba amónẹ, [[humanitarian|ẹnẹ ki ya che ẹnwu nwu ami ọja]] ka kpai manyu onwu che ẹnẹ ki chanẹ ẹnẹ a[[ACTivists|a j'uja nwu amonẹ]]. I che [[vice president|arọne agboji]] nwu [[World Bank]] (Africa region) kw'obi, i che chanẹ [[Transparency International]] I la che onẹ ka efu abo kuma chanẹ ujọ [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|#BringBackOurGirls]] manyu i che federal [[Minister (government)|Minister]] yi [[Nigeria]] onu mejí.<ref>{{Cite journal |last= |first= |date=2024 |title=Dr. Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://nigeriareposit.nln.gov.ng/handle/20.500.14186/1049 |journal=National Library of Nigeria |language=en}}</ref> Onwu ñọ [[Organizational founder|chanẹ]] #FixPolitics Initiative, ugbo ki abo kuma ch'ọma ojanẹ a che u tene,<ref name="Governance">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=#Fix |title=Governance and leadership |url=https://www.fixpolitics.org |website=#FixPolitics |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> unyi ukọchẹ eyi politics [[Policy]] and [[Governance]] (SPPG),<ref name="SPPG">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=SPPG |title=SPPG |url=https://thesppg.org/ |website=School of policy and Governance |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai Human Capital Africa.<ref name="ref">{{cite web |last1=HumCapAfrica |first1=Human Capital Africa |title=HCA |url=https://humcapafrica.org |website=Human Capital Africa |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ki amonẹ atẹ e dọ "Oby", Ezekwesili che ẹnẹ ka efu board of directors eyi [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> ẹnẹ ka efu[[Fundacao Dom Cabral]],<ref name="board fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai agboji board of trustees eyi Ehizua Hub.<ref name="chairperson ehizua">{{cite web |last1=Ehizua |first1=Ehizua |title=Ehizua Education and Creative Technology Hub |url=https://ehizua.com/ |website=Ehizua |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ezekwesili is also a [[chartered accountant]], [[public analyst]], and senior [[economic advisor]] from [[Anambra]] state.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=2020-04-18|title=Oby Ezekwesili mourns Abba Kyari|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/oby-ezekwesili-mourns-abba-kyari/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2021-02-10|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=DR OBIAGELI EZEKWESILI – 2020 APF Conference|url=https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-19|language=en|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019121722/https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesppg.org/|title=Join the Next Class|website=SPPG}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fixpolitics.org/|title=Home|website=#FixPolitics}}</ref> == Ọlayi ẹgba ejodudu kpai Ukọchẹ == Ma bi Ezekwesili yi [[Anambra State|Lagos state]] nwu Benjamin Ujubuonu, ki kwu efu ọdọ 1988, kpai Cecilia Nwayiaka Ujubuonu. Ezekwesili nẹ bachelor's degree kwi [[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]], master's degree efu [[International law|International Law]] kpai Diplomacy kwi [[University of Lagos]], kpai [[Master of Public Administration]] degree kwi [[Harvard Kennedy School]] yi [[Harvard University]]. I che ukọchẹ kpai ugbo ùkọlọ [[Deloitte and Touche]] i la fẹ bọjọ ki che[[chartered accountant]].<ref name="wbank"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili {{!}} Africa Region Vice President|url=https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|access-date=2021-05-25|website=blogs.worldbank.org|date=29 September 2011|language=en|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|url-status=dead}}</ref> Taki ichanẹ e chùkọlọ nwu government eyi Nigeria, Ezekwesiili ch'ukọlọ kpai Professor [[Jeffrey Sachs]] yi [[Center for International Development]] yi Harvard, i che Director eyi Harvard-Nigeria Economic Strategy Project.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SPE Login|url=https://www.spe.org/appssecured/login/servlet/TpSSOServlet?resource=higherlogic|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/|title = Oby Ezekwesili}}</ref> === Ukọlọ === Ezekwesili che ukọlọ [[Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Solid Minerals]] kpai [[Federal Ministry of Education (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Education]] ubi lẹ. Kwi ochu ẹlu ọdọ 2007 ti ochu ẹlu 2012, i che arọne‑agboji nwu Africa yi [[World Bank]]. Ẹnẹ ki wa ubi nwu che [[Makhtar Diop]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|title=Makhtar Diop is new World Bank Africa head|work=Africa Review|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-UK|archive-date=11 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511001632/http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> I che fellow ogijo yi [[Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs]]. === Transparency International ọdọ 1994-1999 === I che ẹnẹ ka efu abo kuma chanẹ [[Transparency International]], onwu che ẹnẹ ka efu ami director ejodudu nwu ujọ amonẹ ki ya juja corruption ọjanẹ ilẹ chaka ki dẹ [[Berlin, Germany]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Book Oby Ezekwesili as a keynote speaker|url=https://www.chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/oby-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Chartwell Speakers|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Vital Voices|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/|website=Vital Voices|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ===Ọdọ 1999-2007=== Ezekwesili chanẹ yi ọfẹ[[Olusegun Obasanjo]] ugbo ki che agboji Budget Monitoring kpai [[Price Intelligence]] Unit (aka Due Process Unit) ejodudu. Efu uña yi onwu i nẹ odu "Madam Due Process" todu ukọlọ nwu efu enẹ ujọ abo kuma n'uma le kuma che ki ẹnwu ami ọja ela kpai ami ọna kuma adu ukọlọ nwu amonẹ che yi uña federal yi Nigeria ki chẹ fẹ.<ref name="career">{{cite web |last1=VenturesAfrica |first1=Africa |title=Madam Due Process - Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://venturesafrica.com/madam-due-processoby-ezekwesili-world-bank-former-vice-president-for-africa/ |website=Venturesafrica.com |date=22 September 2012 |publisher=Ventures |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="research">{{cite journal |last1=Due process |first1=madam |title=University of Lagos - A study of the public Life of Madam Due Process |journal=Lagos Notes and Records |date=28 February 2021 |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=225–248 |url=http://lnr.unilag.edu.ng/article/view/1200 |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> Onwu che uchanẹ Bureau for Public Procurement legislation, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) legislation, kpai Minerals and Mining legislation etitọ ẹgba ọdọ mẹfa nyi ukpẹru ki dẹ efu government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=InvestEgate {{!}} Company Announcements {{!}} Home {{!}} FTSE 100, 250, AIM, techMARK|url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/|website=www.investegate.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister eyi Solid Minerals ==== Efu ochu Ẹfa ọdọ 2005, ma fu Ezekwesili chi ki che Minister eyi Solid Minerals (Mines kpai Steel), ugbo ki chanẹ ukọlọ arida ki jẹ nwu Nigeria nẹ ẹt'ejugede ojanẹ ilẹ chaka kuma mọ ru mining investment destination ki chẹ nojima. Onwu nọ che agboji eyi NEITI, i la nẹ le eche ọna ki ẹnwu ch'ukpẹ edẹ kpai ọna kuma ch'ukpẹ eche ẹnwu yi ójanẹ yi yi efu oil, gas and mining sector.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UNESCO|url=https://en.unesco.org/|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister of Education ==== In June 2006, Ezekwesili was appointed the Federal Minister of Education, a post she held until she took up a [[World Bank]] appointment in May 2007.<ref name="wbank">{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/0,,contentMDK:21270986~menuPK:258657~pagePK:2865106~piPK:2865128~theSitePK:258644,00.html |title=Obiageli Ezekwesili Appointed As Vice President for the Africa Region |date=23 March 2007 |publisher=The World Bank |access-date=19 February 2010}}</ref> While in government, Ezekwesili led the restructuring and refocusing of the Education Ministry for the attainment of [[Education For All|Education for All]] (EfA) targets and [[Millennium Development Goals]]. She also introduced [[public-private partnership]]s for education service delivery, revamped the Federal Inspectorate Service as an improved quality assurance mechanism, and introduced transparency and accountability mechanisms for better governance of the budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proshareng.com/news/People/Profile--Ms-Obiageli-Katryn-Ezekwesili----Accountability-&-Transparency-Quest/19200|title = Profile: Ms Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili - Accountability & Transparency Quest}}</ref> === Vice president, World Bank's Africa region === In March 2007, [[World Bank]] President [[Paul Wolfowitz]] announced the appointment of Ezekwesili as vice president for the Africa region starting on 1 May 2007.<ref name="wbank" /> In 2012, she successfully completed her stint as vice president for the World Bank's Africa region.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Egbas|first=Jude|title=10 amazing things you didn"t know about Oby Ezekwesili|language=en-US|url=http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|access-date=2017-10-07|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007222903/http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> As vice president, she was in charge of the bank's operations of 48 countries in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]] and supervised a lending portfolio of over $40 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Social Media Week|url=https://socialmediaweek.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=Social Media Week|language=en-US|archive-date=23 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523050956/https://socialmediaweek.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Later career== As a senior economic advisor for [[Open Society Foundations|Open Society]], a group founded by [[George Soros]], Ezekwesili advises nine reform-committed African heads of state including [[Paul Kagame]] of [[Rwanda]] and [[Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf]] of [[Liberia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Somerville College Oxford|url=https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/|website=www.some.ox.ac.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> === Board memberships === On 1 October 2012, one of the world's leading telecommunications firms, [[Bharti Airtel]], with operations in 20 countries, named Ezekwesili as a director on its board. She is also on the boards of [[World Wildlife Fund]], the School of Public Policy of [[Central European University]], the Harold Hartog School of Government and Policy, ''[[New African]]'' magazine, [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board_wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> [[Fundacao Dom Cabral]]<ref name="board_fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |publisher=FDC |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and the Center for Global Leadership [[Tufts University]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The World Economic Forum|url=https://www.weforum.org/|website=World Economic Forum|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> In April 2020, she was appointed to the board of trustees of the [[International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation]] where she contributes to overseeing their expansion in developing economies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IBFD Your Portal to Cross Border Tax Expertise|url=https://www.ibfd.org/|website=www.ibfd.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> She is also the co-chair of the [[World Economic Forum]] Africa Regional Stewardship Board.<ref name="Honorary">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Co-chair of Africa Regional Board World Economic Forum |url=https://www.weforum.org/people/obiageli-katryn-ezekwesili |website=Weforum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="enlist_Honor">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Launch of Davos Friends of Africa Growth Platform |url=https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/01/launch-of-davos-friends-of-africa-growth-platform/ |website=world Economic Forum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=University of Cape Town |first1=UCT |title=WEF names Pityana as co-chair of its Africa board |url=http://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2020-01-31-wef-names-pityana-as-co-chair-of-its-africa-board |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=University of Cape Town |publisher=University of Cape Town News |date=31 January 2020}}</ref> In January 2019, Ezekwesili was appointed on the advisory board of directors<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-12|title=Oby Ezekwesili launches scholarship programme for young Nigerian women|url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US|archive-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204022658/https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|url-status=dead}}</ref> of Nexford University in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington DC]] and subsequently launched a scholarship program dedicated to women in [[Nigeria]]. In December 2021, Nexford University appointed her as a member of its board of directors.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-18|title=Nexford University Appoints Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili Into Board Of Directors|url=https://geeky.com.ng/nexford-university-appoints-dr-obiageli-ezekwesili-into-board-of-directors/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Geeky Nigeria|language=en-US}}</ref> She is also the Senior Economic Adviser to the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative<ref name="senior_adviser">{{cite web |last1=Economic Advisory |first1=aedpi |title=Senior Economic Adviser Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative |url=https://theaedpi.org/ |website=theaedpi |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and a member of the advisory board of the [[Institute for State Effectiveness]].<ref name="advisory_board_of_effectiveness">{{cite web |last1=Advisory Board |first1=member |title=The Institute for State Effectiveness |url=https://effectivestates.org/who-we-are/ |website=effectivestates.org |publisher=ISE |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> === Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign === In March 2014, Ezekwesili delivered a speech at the national summit of the [[All Progressives Congress]] (APC), Nigeria's leading opposition party. She criticized the many cross-carpeting governors and urged the party to have "a conversation deeper than how you're going to chase (the ruling) PDP out of power".<ref>Ayokunle Odekunle, [http://www.ynaija.com/ten-things-you-should-know-about-oby-ezekwesilis-speech-at-the-apc-national-summit/ "10 things you SHOULD know about Oby Ezekwesili's speech at the APC National summit"], Naija.com.</ref> After [[2014 Chibok kidnapping|nearly 300 mainly Christian girls were abducted]] from [[Chibok]] by the [[Islamist]] militant group [[Boko Haram]],<ref>David Smith, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/nigeria-launches-military-operation-to-find-kidnapped-girls "Military operation launched to locate kidnapped Nigerian girls"], ''The Guardian'', 14 May 2014: "Although most of the abducted girls are Christian, all were wearing Muslim dress and two were singled out to say they had converted to Islam."</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27389082 "Nigeria abduction video: Schoolgirls 'recognised'"], BBC, 13 May 2014: "The girls' families have said that most of those seized are Christians, although there are a number of Muslims among them."</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Terrorists kidnap more than 200 Nigerian girls|date=21 April 2014|work=USA Today|first=Oren|last=Dorell|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/21/parents-234-girls-kidnapped-from-nigeria-school/7958307/|access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref> Ezekwesili used the [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|Bring Back Our Girls]] (BBOG) advocacy group to draw global attention to the plight of all persons who have been abducted by terrorists from Nigeria's war ravaged northeast region.<ref name=":0" /> She was instrumental to the start of the viral [[#Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign]] on social media, which trended internationally. On 23 April, at the opening ceremony for a [[UNESCO]] event honoring the city of [[Port Harcourt]] as the 2014 [[World Book Capital]] city, she urged Nigerians to not just tweet but actively participate in efforts to "bring back our girls".<ref>Nadia Nasanovsky, [http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/158929/a-global-effort-to-%E2%80%98bring-back-our-girls%E2%80%99 "A global effort to ‘Bring Back Our Girls’"], ''Buenos Aires herald'', 8 May 2014.</ref><ref>Emma Howard, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/07/bring-back-our-girls-global-protests-abduction-nigerian-schoolgirls "Bring back our girls: global protests over abduction of Nigerian schoolgirls"], ''The Guardian'', 7 May 2014.</ref><ref name="cnn_gps">{{cite news |last1=GPS |first1=Chibok |title=On GPS: Where are the missing Chibok girls? |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2019/01/11/exp-gps-0113-ezekwesili-on-chibok-girls-still-captured.cnn |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=CNN |publisher=Fareed Zakaria |date=11 January 2019}}</ref> As she prepared to board a [[British Airways]] flight to London to appear on the [[BBC]] programme ''[[Hard Talk]]'' in July 2014, she was detained by Nigeria's secret service, the [[State Security Service (Nigeria)|SSS]], who also seized her passport.<ref>[http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ "OUTRAGE: BBOG coordinator, Oby Ezekwesili arrested, released"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728092712/http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ |date=28 July 2014 }}, ''Today'', 14 July 2014.</ref><ref>[http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html "#BringBackOurGirls: Oby Ezekwesili detained by SSS officials in Abuja"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324004422/http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html |date=24 March 2017 }}, Pulse.ng, 21 July 2014.</ref> She was later released the same morning. She is the founder and convener of the #RedCardMovement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dailytrust.com/womens-march-celebrating-obys-passion-for-a-new-nigeria/|title=Women's March: celebrating Oby's passion for a new Nigeria|date=March 2021 |accessdate=26 August 2024|newspaper=[[Daily Trust]]}}</ref> == 2019 presidential election== {{Main|2019 Nigerian general election}} Ezekwesili contested for the office of the [[president of Nigeria]] on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack">{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili: Values and vision divergence with ACPN triggered my withdrawal presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152951/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The former minister had hinted at contesting for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/obyezeks/status/1039795704712097792|title=Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en}}</ref> At an event commemorating the 58th anniversary of Nigeria's independence, Pastor [[Tunde Bakare]] announced that she would be running for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-oby-ezekwesili-contest-president-says-tunde-bakare|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare - TheCable|date=2018-10-01|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US|newspaper=[[TheCable]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Oluwamayowa Tijani|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare|date=2018-10-01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-02}}{{cbignore}}</ref> One of her campaign promises was to lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili officially flags off presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |access-date=8 January 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oaktv |date=8 January 2019 |archive-date=8 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108200631/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="cnn_amanpour">{{cite web |last1=Amanpour |first1=Christine |title=Ezekwesili's interview with Christine Amanpour |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2018/11/21/nigerian-presidential-candidate-oby-ezekwesili-amanpour.cnn |website=CNN |date=21 November 2018 |publisher=Christine Amanpour |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="yahoo_abrams">{{cite web |last1=Abrams |first1=Stacey |title=Stacey Abrams interviews Ezekwesili |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |website=yahoo |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113193715/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 24 January 2019, Ezekwesili withdrew from the presidential race,<ref>{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili withdraws from presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152929/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> owing to a divergence of values and visions with her political party.<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack"/> However, later in the day, the [[Independent National Electoral Commission (Nigeria)|Independent National Electoral Commission]]<ref>{{cite news |title=INEC Receives N198bn for General Election |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152753/https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> said it was too late for anyone to withdraw from the race because the ballot materials had already been prepared. For that reason, the crest of the party would still appear.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ezekwesili: It's too late for candidates to step down, says INEC |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152838/https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Fela Durotoye]] commended Ezekwesili for taking the lead and clamouring for a coalition to end the rule of #APCPDP.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fela Durotoye Commends Oby Ezekwesili, expresses commitment to renew search for coalition candidate |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=24 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124212611/https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 4 February 2019, Ezekwesili organised a press conference in NICON Luxury Hall, Abuja. She spoke during her press conference about her rough political journey while campaigning for the office of the President of Nigeria under the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=INSIDE DETAILS: Oby Ezekwesili opens up on her rough political journey |url=https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015323/https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> She also gave a motivational speech as she stepped down from the 2019 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili's emotional speech as she takes a bow from 2019 presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015320/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 7 February 2019, Ezekwesili published her campaign finances. The report shows she spent 48 million Naira between 1 October 2018 and 2 February 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/oby-ezekwesili-publishes-campaign-finances/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Oby Ezekwesili publishes campaign finances|date = 7 February 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref> == Personal life == Oby is married to Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili of the [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]] (RCCG) and has three sons: Chinemelum, Chinweuba and Chidera.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Oby Ezekwesili Offers Marriage Tips To Young Nigerians|language=en-gb|work=Nigeriafilms.com|url=https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|access-date=2018-05-24|archive-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524222825/https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2021, Ezekwesili submitted a petition to the [[Inspector General of Police (Nigeria)|Inspector General of Police]] against [[Japheth J. Omojuwa|Japhet Omojuwa]], accusing him of fraudulently using her name as a director in his firm, Alpha Reach Company Limited.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-04-16|title=Fraud: Ezekwesili submits evidence against Omojuwa to IGP, demands prosecution|url=https://punchng.com/fraud-ezekwesili-submits-evidence-against-omojuwa-to-ig-demands-prosecution/|access-date=2021-04-17|newspaper=[[The Punch]]|language=en-US}}</ref> == Awards and recognition == * In 2006, Ezekwesili was given the national award of [[Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic]] (CFR).<ref name="auto"/> * In May 2012, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (DSC) degree by the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nexford University|url=https://www.nexford.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=www.nexford.org|language=en}}</ref> She was selected as one of the [[BBC 100 Women|BBC's 100 Women]] in 2013 and 2014.<ref>{{cite web|date=22 November 2013|title=100 Women: Who took part?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-24579511|website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=26 October 2014|title=Who are the 100 Women 2014?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-29758792|access-date=4 December 2016|publisher=BBC}}</ref> *In December 2012, Ezekwesili was named by the ''[[New African]]'' magazine as one of the 100 Most influential Africans.<ref name="influential award">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=100 Most Influential |title=100 Most Influential Africans |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/3375/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |publisher=New African |date=23 December 2012}}</ref> *In December 2014, Ezekwesili was named again among the 2014 most influential Africans - Civil Society and Activism by the ''New African'' magazine.<ref name="influential award 2">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=Most Influential |title=Civil Society & Activism |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/9340/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=NewAfrican |publisher=New African Magazine |date=22 December 2014}}</ref> *In March 2016, Ezekwesili won the 2016 New Africa women award.<ref name="women awards">{{cite news |last1=Awards |first1=women |title=New Africa |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/events/new-africa-women-awards-2016-oby-ezekwesili-zuriel-oduwole-jumoke-adenowo-and-others/hrwpp5t |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=New Africa |publisher=Pulse Ng |date=12 March 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * In July 2016, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary graduate degree by the [[University of Essex]], [[United Kingdom]], where she presented an inspiring and impassioned speech to the graduating students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www1.essex.ac.uk/news/event.aspx?e_id=10662|title=Bring Back Our Girls campaigner Obiageli Ezekwesili awarded Honorary Degree by University of Essex - News - University of Essex|website=www1.essex.ac.uk}}</ref> * In March 2019, Ezekwesili won the Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award for her efforts on the #BringBackOurGirls campaign on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|date=2019-03-26|title=Ezekwesili wins Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/322500-ezekwesili-wins-forbes-woman-africa-social-influencer-award.html|access-date=2019-03-27|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]|language=en-GB}}</ref> * In 2019, she was awarded a Richard Von Weizsäcker Fellowship at the [[Robert Bosch Academy]] in Berlin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/ezekwesili-others-bag-weizsacker-fellowship-in-germany/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Ezekwesili, others bag Weizsäcker fellowship in Germany|date = 2 September 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertboschacademy.de/en/fellow/obiageli-ezekwesili|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|website=Robert Bosch Academy}}</ref> * She was selected as a 2020 Global Leadership Awards honoree.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Vital Voices|language=en}}</ref> Also named as one of 100 visionaries featured in the 3D book "Genius:100 Visionary Thinkers launched in [[Montreal]], [[Canada]] in 2017 by Albert Einstein's Foundations. * In 2020, she was invested as a global leader by the [[Vital Voices]] Global leadership awards.<ref name="awards">{{cite web |last1=Voices |first1=Vital |title=Global Leadership Awards |url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/what-we-do/individual-investments/honoree-program-2/ |website=Vital Voices Global Partnership |publisher=Vital Voices |access-date=12 January 2022 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * She was recognized by ''Time'' magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People and by the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' as one of the 25 Women of Impact for 2015. * She holds the [[Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Public Service]] of the [[Harvard Kennedy School|Harvard Kennedy School of Government]], and the Tuft University EPIIC Jean Meyer Award. She is a Democracy Ambassador -International IDEA, and a 2018 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] nominee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biography of Dr (Mrs.) Obiageli (Oby) Katryn Ezekwesili |url=http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |website=ACUF Asthma Conference |access-date=25 May 2021 |archive-date=25 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525190036/http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> * She is one of the 100 Genius Visionaries inducted by the Genius 100 Foundation.<ref name="Honors">{{cite web |last1=Visionaries |first1=Genius 100 |title=An Active and engaged Community of 100 exceptional Individuals |url=https://www.genius100visions.com/ |website=Genius 100 visions |publisher=Genius 100 Foundation |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * In August 2021, Ezekwesili joined [[Yale University]]'s Jackson School of Global Affairs as a senior fellow.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/481907-ezekwesili-joins-yale-university-as-senior-fellow.html|title = Ezekwesili joins Yale University as senior fellow &#124; Premium Times Nigeria|date = 29 August 2021|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]}}</ref><ref name="education">{{cite web |last1=Yale |first1=University |title=Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs |url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/ |website=Yale edu |publisher=Yale University |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * On May 20, 2022, Dr Oby received the most impactful woman of the year Award. It was hosted by The [https://www.womenofinestimablevalues.org Women of inestimable values] foundation impact makers award to celebrate impact makers across the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-16 |title=Vanguard |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/wivf-recognises-impact-makers-launches-book-to-celebrate-5th-year-anniversary/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks|d=Q7074927|c=Category:Oby Ezekwesili|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}} * [https://twitter.com/obyezeks Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter] * [https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/ Obiageli Ezekwesili] * [https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili Obiageli Ezekwesili | Africa Region Vice President] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili |date=16 October 2021 }} * [https://archive.today/20130416060748/http://go.worldbank.org/0YXPCPBHW0 Interview with Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for the World Bank Africa Region]. The World Bank, November–December 2007 {{Cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo 2003-2007}} {{Human rights in Nigeria}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ezekwesili, Obiageli}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Nigerian accountants]] [[Category:Nigerian economists]] [[Category:Nigerian women economists]] [[Category:World Bank people]] [[Category:University of Lagos alumni]] [[Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni]] [[Category:Federal ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:University of Nigeria alumni]] [[Category:1963 births]] [[Category:Nigerian women activists]] [[Category:Nigerian human rights activists]] [[Category:Women government ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:Nigerian officials of the United Nations]] [[Category:Candidates for President of Nigeria]] 0lt92gcc84tkfmgy66psz8foc940qaw 40197 40196 2026-04-16T05:08:55Z Anniwinner 897 #IGL #FNFIGL 40197 wikitext text/x-wiki {{Short description|Nigerian accountant and politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili | image = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, 2009 World Economic Forum on Africa.jpg | office1 = Federal Minister of Solid Minerals, Nigeria | term_start1 = June 2005 | term_end1 = June 2006 | predecessor1 = [[Odion Ugbesia]] | successor1 = [[Leslye Obiora]] | office2 = Federal Minister of Education, Nigeria | term_start2 = June 2006 | term_end2 = April 2007 | predecessor2 = [[Chinwe Obaji]] | successor2 = [[Abba Sayyadi Ruma]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|04|28}} | birth_place = [[Anambra State]], Nigeria | death_date = | death_place = | party = | spouse = Chinedu Ezekwesili | education = [[Harvard Kennedy School]]<br />[[University of Lagos]]<br />[[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]] | profession = Chartered accountant, economic policy | nationality = [[Nigerian]] | children = 3 | honorific_prefix = [[Commander of the Federal Republic|CFR]] | nickname = 'Madam Due Process' }} '''Obiageli''' "'''Oby'''" '''Ezekwesili''' {{IPAc-en||audio=LL-Q33578 (ibo)-Olugold-Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili.wav}} (Ma bi ọjọ Ogwu ny'oke mẹjọ ochu ẹlẹ ọdọ 1963) ẹnẹ Naijeriya ka ki chẹ ma [[economic policy|ọda ẹnwu ki ya nẹ ọkọ wa]] nyọnyọ, ẹnẹ ki ya j'uja ẹnwu eche fẹr'eju, ohi ẹnwu eko nyọnyọ, ọda e gw'ọnyu nyọnyọ kpai unyọgba amónẹ, [[humanitarian|ẹnẹ ki ya che ẹnwu nwu ami ọja]] ka kpai manyu onwu che ẹnẹ ki chanẹ ẹnẹ a[[ACTivists|a j'uja nwu amonẹ]]. I che [[vice president|arọne agboji]] nwu [[World Bank]] (Africa region) kw'obi, i che chanẹ [[Transparency International]] I la che onẹ ka efu abo kuma chanẹ ujọ [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|#BringBackOurGirls]] manyu i che federal [[Minister (government)|Minister]] yi [[Nigeria]] onu mejí.<ref>{{Cite journal |last= |first= |date=2024 |title=Dr. Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://nigeriareposit.nln.gov.ng/handle/20.500.14186/1049 |journal=National Library of Nigeria |language=en}}</ref> Onwu ñọ [[Organizational founder|chanẹ]] #FixPolitics Initiative, ugbo ki abo kuma ch'ọma ojanẹ a che u tene,<ref name="Governance">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=#Fix |title=Governance and leadership |url=https://www.fixpolitics.org |website=#FixPolitics |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> unyi ukọchẹ eyi politics [[Policy]] and [[Governance]] (SPPG),<ref name="SPPG">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=SPPG |title=SPPG |url=https://thesppg.org/ |website=School of policy and Governance |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai Human Capital Africa.<ref name="ref">{{cite web |last1=HumCapAfrica |first1=Human Capital Africa |title=HCA |url=https://humcapafrica.org |website=Human Capital Africa |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ki amonẹ atẹ e dọ "Oby", Ezekwesili che ẹnẹ ka efu board of directors eyi [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> ẹnẹ ka efu[[Fundacao Dom Cabral]],<ref name="board fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai agboji board of trustees eyi Ehizua Hub.<ref name="chairperson ehizua">{{cite web |last1=Ehizua |first1=Ehizua |title=Ehizua Education and Creative Technology Hub |url=https://ehizua.com/ |website=Ehizua |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ezekwesili is also a [[chartered accountant]], [[public analyst]], and senior [[economic advisor]] from [[Anambra]] state.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=2020-04-18|title=Oby Ezekwesili mourns Abba Kyari|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/oby-ezekwesili-mourns-abba-kyari/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2021-02-10|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=DR OBIAGELI EZEKWESILI – 2020 APF Conference|url=https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-19|language=en|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019121722/https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesppg.org/|title=Join the Next Class|website=SPPG}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fixpolitics.org/|title=Home|website=#FixPolitics}}</ref> == Ọlayi ẹgba ejodudu kpai Ukọchẹ == Ma bi Ezekwesili yi [[Anambra State|Lagos state]] nwu Benjamin Ujubuonu, ki kwu efu ọdọ 1988, kpai Cecilia Nwayiaka Ujubuonu. Ezekwesili nẹ bachelor's degree kwi [[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]], master's degree efu [[International law|International Law]] kpai Diplomacy kwi [[University of Lagos]], kpai [[Master of Public Administration]] degree kwi [[Harvard Kennedy School]] yi [[Harvard University]]. I che ukọchẹ kpai ugbo ùkọlọ [[Deloitte and Touche]] i la fẹ bọjọ ki che[[chartered accountant]].<ref name="wbank"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili {{!}} Africa Region Vice President|url=https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|access-date=2021-05-25|website=blogs.worldbank.org|date=29 September 2011|language=en|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|url-status=dead}}</ref> Taki ichanẹ e chùkọlọ nwu government eyi Nigeria, Ezekwesiili ch'ukọlọ kpai Professor [[Jeffrey Sachs]] yi [[Center for International Development]] yi Harvard, i che Director eyi Harvard-Nigeria Economic Strategy Project.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SPE Login|url=https://www.spe.org/appssecured/login/servlet/TpSSOServlet?resource=higherlogic|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/|title = Oby Ezekwesili}}</ref> === Ukọlọ === Ezekwesili che ukọlọ [[Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Solid Minerals]] kpai [[Federal Ministry of Education (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Education]] ubi lẹ. Kwi ochu ẹlu ọdọ 2007 ti ochu ẹlu 2012, i che arọne‑agboji nwu Africa yi [[World Bank]]. Ẹnẹ ki wa ubi nwu che [[Makhtar Diop]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|title=Makhtar Diop is new World Bank Africa head|work=Africa Review|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-UK|archive-date=11 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511001632/http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> I che fellow ogijo yi [[Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs]]. === Transparency International ọdọ 1994-1999 === I che ẹnẹ ka efu abo kuma chanẹ [[Transparency International]], onwu che ẹnẹ ka efu ami director ejodudu nwu ujọ amonẹ ki ya juja corruption ọjanẹ ilẹ chaka ki dẹ [[Berlin, Germany]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Book Oby Ezekwesili as a keynote speaker|url=https://www.chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/oby-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Chartwell Speakers|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Vital Voices|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/|website=Vital Voices|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ===Ọdọ 1999-2007=== Ezekwesili chanẹ yi ọfẹ[[Olusegun Obasanjo]] ugbo ki che agboji Budget Monitoring kpai [[Price Intelligence]] Unit (aka Due Process Unit) ejodudu. Efu uña yi onwu i nẹ odu "Madam Due Process" todu ukọlọ nwu efu enẹ ujọ abo kuma n'uma le kuma che ki ẹnwu ami ọja ela kpai ami ọna kuma adu ukọlọ nwu amonẹ che yi uña federal yi Nigeria ki chẹ fẹ.<ref name="career">{{cite web |last1=VenturesAfrica |first1=Africa |title=Madam Due Process - Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://venturesafrica.com/madam-due-processoby-ezekwesili-world-bank-former-vice-president-for-africa/ |website=Venturesafrica.com |date=22 September 2012 |publisher=Ventures |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="research">{{cite journal |last1=Due process |first1=madam |title=University of Lagos - A study of the public Life of Madam Due Process |journal=Lagos Notes and Records |date=28 February 2021 |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=225–248 |url=http://lnr.unilag.edu.ng/article/view/1200 |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> Onwu che uchanẹ Bureau for Public Procurement legislation, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) legislation, kpai Minerals and Mining legislation etitọ ẹgba ọdọ mẹfa nyi ukpẹru ki dẹ efu government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=InvestEgate {{!}} Company Announcements {{!}} Home {{!}} FTSE 100, 250, AIM, techMARK|url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/|website=www.investegate.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister eyi Solid Minerals ==== Efu ochu Ẹfa ọdọ 2005, ma fu Ezekwesili chi ki che Minister eyi Solid Minerals (Mines kpai Steel), ugbo ki chanẹ ukọlọ arida ki jẹ nwu Nigeria nẹ ẹt'ejugede ojanẹ ilẹ chaka kuma mọ ru mining investment destination ki chẹ nojima. Onwu nọ che agboji eyi NEITI, i la nẹ le eche ọna ki ẹnwu ch'ukpẹ edẹ kpai ọna kuma ch'ukpẹ eche ẹnwu yi ójanẹ yi yi efu oil, gas and mining sector.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UNESCO|url=https://en.unesco.org/|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister eyi Education ==== Efu ochu Ẹfa ọdọ 2006, ma fu Ezekwesili chi ki che Federal Minister eyi Education, uña ki gwọnyu gbogbo ta ki gba ukọlọ [[World Bank]] efu ochu Ẹlu ọdọ 2007.<ref name="wbank">{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/0,,contentMDK:21270986~menuPK:258657~pagePK:2865106~piPK:2865128~theSitePK:258644,00.html |title=Obiageli Ezekwesili Appointed As Vice President for the Africa Region |date=23 March 2007 |publisher=The World Bank |access-date=19 February 2010}}</ref> While in government, Ezekwesili led the restructuring and refocusing of the Education Ministry for the attainment of [[Education For All|Education for All]] (EfA) targets and [[Millennium Development Goals]]. She also introduced [[public-private partnership]]s for education service delivery, revamped the Federal Inspectorate Service as an improved quality assurance mechanism, and introduced transparency and accountability mechanisms for better governance of the budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proshareng.com/news/People/Profile--Ms-Obiageli-Katryn-Ezekwesili----Accountability-&-Transparency-Quest/19200|title = Profile: Ms Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili - Accountability & Transparency Quest}}</ref> === Vice president, World Bank's Africa region === In March 2007, [[World Bank]] President [[Paul Wolfowitz]] announced the appointment of Ezekwesili as vice president for the Africa region starting on 1 May 2007.<ref name="wbank" /> In 2012, she successfully completed her stint as vice president for the World Bank's Africa region.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Egbas|first=Jude|title=10 amazing things you didn"t know about Oby Ezekwesili|language=en-US|url=http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|access-date=2017-10-07|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007222903/http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> As vice president, she was in charge of the bank's operations of 48 countries in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]] and supervised a lending portfolio of over $40 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Social Media Week|url=https://socialmediaweek.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=Social Media Week|language=en-US|archive-date=23 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523050956/https://socialmediaweek.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Later career== As a senior economic advisor for [[Open Society Foundations|Open Society]], a group founded by [[George Soros]], Ezekwesili advises nine reform-committed African heads of state including [[Paul Kagame]] of [[Rwanda]] and [[Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf]] of [[Liberia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Somerville College Oxford|url=https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/|website=www.some.ox.ac.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> === Board memberships === On 1 October 2012, one of the world's leading telecommunications firms, [[Bharti Airtel]], with operations in 20 countries, named Ezekwesili as a director on its board. She is also on the boards of [[World Wildlife Fund]], the School of Public Policy of [[Central European University]], the Harold Hartog School of Government and Policy, ''[[New African]]'' magazine, [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board_wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> [[Fundacao Dom Cabral]]<ref name="board_fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |publisher=FDC |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and the Center for Global Leadership [[Tufts University]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The World Economic Forum|url=https://www.weforum.org/|website=World Economic Forum|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> In April 2020, she was appointed to the board of trustees of the [[International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation]] where she contributes to overseeing their expansion in developing economies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IBFD Your Portal to Cross Border Tax Expertise|url=https://www.ibfd.org/|website=www.ibfd.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> She is also the co-chair of the [[World Economic Forum]] Africa Regional Stewardship Board.<ref name="Honorary">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Co-chair of Africa Regional Board World Economic Forum |url=https://www.weforum.org/people/obiageli-katryn-ezekwesili |website=Weforum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="enlist_Honor">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Launch of Davos Friends of Africa Growth Platform |url=https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/01/launch-of-davos-friends-of-africa-growth-platform/ |website=world Economic Forum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=University of Cape Town |first1=UCT |title=WEF names Pityana as co-chair of its Africa board |url=http://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2020-01-31-wef-names-pityana-as-co-chair-of-its-africa-board |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=University of Cape Town |publisher=University of Cape Town News |date=31 January 2020}}</ref> In January 2019, Ezekwesili was appointed on the advisory board of directors<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-12|title=Oby Ezekwesili launches scholarship programme for young Nigerian women|url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US|archive-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204022658/https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|url-status=dead}}</ref> of Nexford University in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington DC]] and subsequently launched a scholarship program dedicated to women in [[Nigeria]]. In December 2021, Nexford University appointed her as a member of its board of directors.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-18|title=Nexford University Appoints Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili Into Board Of Directors|url=https://geeky.com.ng/nexford-university-appoints-dr-obiageli-ezekwesili-into-board-of-directors/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Geeky Nigeria|language=en-US}}</ref> She is also the Senior Economic Adviser to the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative<ref name="senior_adviser">{{cite web |last1=Economic Advisory |first1=aedpi |title=Senior Economic Adviser Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative |url=https://theaedpi.org/ |website=theaedpi |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and a member of the advisory board of the [[Institute for State Effectiveness]].<ref name="advisory_board_of_effectiveness">{{cite web |last1=Advisory Board |first1=member |title=The Institute for State Effectiveness |url=https://effectivestates.org/who-we-are/ |website=effectivestates.org |publisher=ISE |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> === Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign === In March 2014, Ezekwesili delivered a speech at the national summit of the [[All Progressives Congress]] (APC), Nigeria's leading opposition party. She criticized the many cross-carpeting governors and urged the party to have "a conversation deeper than how you're going to chase (the ruling) PDP out of power".<ref>Ayokunle Odekunle, [http://www.ynaija.com/ten-things-you-should-know-about-oby-ezekwesilis-speech-at-the-apc-national-summit/ "10 things you SHOULD know about Oby Ezekwesili's speech at the APC National summit"], Naija.com.</ref> After [[2014 Chibok kidnapping|nearly 300 mainly Christian girls were abducted]] from [[Chibok]] by the [[Islamist]] militant group [[Boko Haram]],<ref>David Smith, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/nigeria-launches-military-operation-to-find-kidnapped-girls "Military operation launched to locate kidnapped Nigerian girls"], ''The Guardian'', 14 May 2014: "Although most of the abducted girls are Christian, all were wearing Muslim dress and two were singled out to say they had converted to Islam."</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27389082 "Nigeria abduction video: Schoolgirls 'recognised'"], BBC, 13 May 2014: "The girls' families have said that most of those seized are Christians, although there are a number of Muslims among them."</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Terrorists kidnap more than 200 Nigerian girls|date=21 April 2014|work=USA Today|first=Oren|last=Dorell|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/21/parents-234-girls-kidnapped-from-nigeria-school/7958307/|access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref> Ezekwesili used the [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|Bring Back Our Girls]] (BBOG) advocacy group to draw global attention to the plight of all persons who have been abducted by terrorists from Nigeria's war ravaged northeast region.<ref name=":0" /> She was instrumental to the start of the viral [[#Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign]] on social media, which trended internationally. On 23 April, at the opening ceremony for a [[UNESCO]] event honoring the city of [[Port Harcourt]] as the 2014 [[World Book Capital]] city, she urged Nigerians to not just tweet but actively participate in efforts to "bring back our girls".<ref>Nadia Nasanovsky, [http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/158929/a-global-effort-to-%E2%80%98bring-back-our-girls%E2%80%99 "A global effort to ‘Bring Back Our Girls’"], ''Buenos Aires herald'', 8 May 2014.</ref><ref>Emma Howard, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/07/bring-back-our-girls-global-protests-abduction-nigerian-schoolgirls "Bring back our girls: global protests over abduction of Nigerian schoolgirls"], ''The Guardian'', 7 May 2014.</ref><ref name="cnn_gps">{{cite news |last1=GPS |first1=Chibok |title=On GPS: Where are the missing Chibok girls? |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2019/01/11/exp-gps-0113-ezekwesili-on-chibok-girls-still-captured.cnn |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=CNN |publisher=Fareed Zakaria |date=11 January 2019}}</ref> As she prepared to board a [[British Airways]] flight to London to appear on the [[BBC]] programme ''[[Hard Talk]]'' in July 2014, she was detained by Nigeria's secret service, the [[State Security Service (Nigeria)|SSS]], who also seized her passport.<ref>[http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ "OUTRAGE: BBOG coordinator, Oby Ezekwesili arrested, released"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728092712/http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ |date=28 July 2014 }}, ''Today'', 14 July 2014.</ref><ref>[http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html "#BringBackOurGirls: Oby Ezekwesili detained by SSS officials in Abuja"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324004422/http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html |date=24 March 2017 }}, Pulse.ng, 21 July 2014.</ref> She was later released the same morning. She is the founder and convener of the #RedCardMovement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dailytrust.com/womens-march-celebrating-obys-passion-for-a-new-nigeria/|title=Women's March: celebrating Oby's passion for a new Nigeria|date=March 2021 |accessdate=26 August 2024|newspaper=[[Daily Trust]]}}</ref> == 2019 presidential election== {{Main|2019 Nigerian general election}} Ezekwesili contested for the office of the [[president of Nigeria]] on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack">{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili: Values and vision divergence with ACPN triggered my withdrawal presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152951/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The former minister had hinted at contesting for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/obyezeks/status/1039795704712097792|title=Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en}}</ref> At an event commemorating the 58th anniversary of Nigeria's independence, Pastor [[Tunde Bakare]] announced that she would be running for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-oby-ezekwesili-contest-president-says-tunde-bakare|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare - TheCable|date=2018-10-01|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US|newspaper=[[TheCable]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Oluwamayowa Tijani|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare|date=2018-10-01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-02}}{{cbignore}}</ref> One of her campaign promises was to lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili officially flags off presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |access-date=8 January 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oaktv |date=8 January 2019 |archive-date=8 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108200631/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="cnn_amanpour">{{cite web |last1=Amanpour |first1=Christine |title=Ezekwesili's interview with Christine Amanpour |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2018/11/21/nigerian-presidential-candidate-oby-ezekwesili-amanpour.cnn |website=CNN |date=21 November 2018 |publisher=Christine Amanpour |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="yahoo_abrams">{{cite web |last1=Abrams |first1=Stacey |title=Stacey Abrams interviews Ezekwesili |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |website=yahoo |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113193715/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 24 January 2019, Ezekwesili withdrew from the presidential race,<ref>{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili withdraws from presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152929/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> owing to a divergence of values and visions with her political party.<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack"/> However, later in the day, the [[Independent National Electoral Commission (Nigeria)|Independent National Electoral Commission]]<ref>{{cite news |title=INEC Receives N198bn for General Election |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152753/https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> said it was too late for anyone to withdraw from the race because the ballot materials had already been prepared. For that reason, the crest of the party would still appear.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ezekwesili: It's too late for candidates to step down, says INEC |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152838/https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Fela Durotoye]] commended Ezekwesili for taking the lead and clamouring for a coalition to end the rule of #APCPDP.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fela Durotoye Commends Oby Ezekwesili, expresses commitment to renew search for coalition candidate |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=24 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124212611/https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 4 February 2019, Ezekwesili organised a press conference in NICON Luxury Hall, Abuja. She spoke during her press conference about her rough political journey while campaigning for the office of the President of Nigeria under the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=INSIDE DETAILS: Oby Ezekwesili opens up on her rough political journey |url=https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015323/https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> She also gave a motivational speech as she stepped down from the 2019 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili's emotional speech as she takes a bow from 2019 presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015320/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 7 February 2019, Ezekwesili published her campaign finances. The report shows she spent 48 million Naira between 1 October 2018 and 2 February 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/oby-ezekwesili-publishes-campaign-finances/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Oby Ezekwesili publishes campaign finances|date = 7 February 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref> == Personal life == Oby is married to Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili of the [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]] (RCCG) and has three sons: Chinemelum, Chinweuba and Chidera.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Oby Ezekwesili Offers Marriage Tips To Young Nigerians|language=en-gb|work=Nigeriafilms.com|url=https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|access-date=2018-05-24|archive-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524222825/https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2021, Ezekwesili submitted a petition to the [[Inspector General of Police (Nigeria)|Inspector General of Police]] against [[Japheth J. Omojuwa|Japhet Omojuwa]], accusing him of fraudulently using her name as a director in his firm, Alpha Reach Company Limited.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-04-16|title=Fraud: Ezekwesili submits evidence against Omojuwa to IGP, demands prosecution|url=https://punchng.com/fraud-ezekwesili-submits-evidence-against-omojuwa-to-ig-demands-prosecution/|access-date=2021-04-17|newspaper=[[The Punch]]|language=en-US}}</ref> == Awards and recognition == * In 2006, Ezekwesili was given the national award of [[Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic]] (CFR).<ref name="auto"/> * In May 2012, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (DSC) degree by the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nexford University|url=https://www.nexford.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=www.nexford.org|language=en}}</ref> She was selected as one of the [[BBC 100 Women|BBC's 100 Women]] in 2013 and 2014.<ref>{{cite web|date=22 November 2013|title=100 Women: Who took part?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-24579511|website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=26 October 2014|title=Who are the 100 Women 2014?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-29758792|access-date=4 December 2016|publisher=BBC}}</ref> *In December 2012, Ezekwesili was named by the ''[[New African]]'' magazine as one of the 100 Most influential Africans.<ref name="influential award">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=100 Most Influential |title=100 Most Influential Africans |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/3375/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |publisher=New African |date=23 December 2012}}</ref> *In December 2014, Ezekwesili was named again among the 2014 most influential Africans - Civil Society and Activism by the ''New African'' magazine.<ref name="influential award 2">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=Most Influential |title=Civil Society & Activism |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/9340/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=NewAfrican |publisher=New African Magazine |date=22 December 2014}}</ref> *In March 2016, Ezekwesili won the 2016 New Africa women award.<ref name="women awards">{{cite news |last1=Awards |first1=women |title=New Africa |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/events/new-africa-women-awards-2016-oby-ezekwesili-zuriel-oduwole-jumoke-adenowo-and-others/hrwpp5t |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=New Africa |publisher=Pulse Ng |date=12 March 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * In July 2016, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary graduate degree by the [[University of Essex]], [[United Kingdom]], where she presented an inspiring and impassioned speech to the graduating students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www1.essex.ac.uk/news/event.aspx?e_id=10662|title=Bring Back Our Girls campaigner Obiageli Ezekwesili awarded Honorary Degree by University of Essex - News - University of Essex|website=www1.essex.ac.uk}}</ref> * In March 2019, Ezekwesili won the Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award for her efforts on the #BringBackOurGirls campaign on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|date=2019-03-26|title=Ezekwesili wins Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/322500-ezekwesili-wins-forbes-woman-africa-social-influencer-award.html|access-date=2019-03-27|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]|language=en-GB}}</ref> * In 2019, she was awarded a Richard Von Weizsäcker Fellowship at the [[Robert Bosch Academy]] in Berlin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/ezekwesili-others-bag-weizsacker-fellowship-in-germany/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Ezekwesili, others bag Weizsäcker fellowship in Germany|date = 2 September 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertboschacademy.de/en/fellow/obiageli-ezekwesili|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|website=Robert Bosch Academy}}</ref> * She was selected as a 2020 Global Leadership Awards honoree.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Vital Voices|language=en}}</ref> Also named as one of 100 visionaries featured in the 3D book "Genius:100 Visionary Thinkers launched in [[Montreal]], [[Canada]] in 2017 by Albert Einstein's Foundations. * In 2020, she was invested as a global leader by the [[Vital Voices]] Global leadership awards.<ref name="awards">{{cite web |last1=Voices |first1=Vital |title=Global Leadership Awards |url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/what-we-do/individual-investments/honoree-program-2/ |website=Vital Voices Global Partnership |publisher=Vital Voices |access-date=12 January 2022 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * She was recognized by ''Time'' magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People and by the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' as one of the 25 Women of Impact for 2015. * She holds the [[Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Public Service]] of the [[Harvard Kennedy School|Harvard Kennedy School of Government]], and the Tuft University EPIIC Jean Meyer Award. She is a Democracy Ambassador -International IDEA, and a 2018 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] nominee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biography of Dr (Mrs.) Obiageli (Oby) Katryn Ezekwesili |url=http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |website=ACUF Asthma Conference |access-date=25 May 2021 |archive-date=25 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525190036/http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> * She is one of the 100 Genius Visionaries inducted by the Genius 100 Foundation.<ref name="Honors">{{cite web |last1=Visionaries |first1=Genius 100 |title=An Active and engaged Community of 100 exceptional Individuals |url=https://www.genius100visions.com/ |website=Genius 100 visions |publisher=Genius 100 Foundation |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * In August 2021, Ezekwesili joined [[Yale University]]'s Jackson School of Global Affairs as a senior fellow.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/481907-ezekwesili-joins-yale-university-as-senior-fellow.html|title = Ezekwesili joins Yale University as senior fellow &#124; Premium Times Nigeria|date = 29 August 2021|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]}}</ref><ref name="education">{{cite web |last1=Yale |first1=University |title=Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs |url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/ |website=Yale edu |publisher=Yale University |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * On May 20, 2022, Dr Oby received the most impactful woman of the year Award. It was hosted by The [https://www.womenofinestimablevalues.org Women of inestimable values] foundation impact makers award to celebrate impact makers across the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-16 |title=Vanguard |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/wivf-recognises-impact-makers-launches-book-to-celebrate-5th-year-anniversary/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks|d=Q7074927|c=Category:Oby Ezekwesili|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}} * [https://twitter.com/obyezeks Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter] * [https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/ Obiageli Ezekwesili] * [https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili Obiageli Ezekwesili | Africa Region Vice President] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili |date=16 October 2021 }} * [https://archive.today/20130416060748/http://go.worldbank.org/0YXPCPBHW0 Interview with Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for the World Bank Africa Region]. The World Bank, November–December 2007 {{Cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo 2003-2007}} {{Human rights in Nigeria}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ezekwesili, Obiageli}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Nigerian accountants]] [[Category:Nigerian economists]] [[Category:Nigerian women economists]] [[Category:World Bank people]] [[Category:University of Lagos alumni]] [[Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni]] [[Category:Federal ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:University of Nigeria alumni]] [[Category:1963 births]] [[Category:Nigerian women activists]] [[Category:Nigerian human rights activists]] [[Category:Women government ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:Nigerian officials of the United Nations]] [[Category:Candidates for President of Nigeria]] 0diruaiankuk0ddd93nh0g4bpe5d1j6 40198 40197 2026-04-16T05:13:40Z Anniwinner 897 #IGL #FNFIGL 40198 wikitext text/x-wiki {{Short description|Nigerian accountant and politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili | image = Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili, 2009 World Economic Forum on Africa.jpg | office1 = Federal Minister of Solid Minerals, Nigeria | term_start1 = June 2005 | term_end1 = June 2006 | predecessor1 = [[Odion Ugbesia]] | successor1 = [[Leslye Obiora]] | office2 = Federal Minister of Education, Nigeria | term_start2 = June 2006 | term_end2 = April 2007 | predecessor2 = [[Chinwe Obaji]] | successor2 = [[Abba Sayyadi Ruma]] | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|04|28}} | birth_place = [[Anambra State]], Nigeria | death_date = | death_place = | party = | spouse = Chinedu Ezekwesili | education = [[Harvard Kennedy School]]<br />[[University of Lagos]]<br />[[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]] | profession = Chartered accountant, economic policy | nationality = [[Nigerian]] | children = 3 | honorific_prefix = [[Commander of the Federal Republic|CFR]] | nickname = 'Madam Due Process' }} '''Obiageli''' "'''Oby'''" '''Ezekwesili''' {{IPAc-en||audio=LL-Q33578 (ibo)-Olugold-Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili.wav}} (Ma bi ọjọ Ogwu ny'oke mẹjọ ochu ẹlẹ ọdọ 1963) ẹnẹ Naijeriya ka ki chẹ ma [[economic policy|ọda ẹnwu ki ya nẹ ọkọ wa]] nyọnyọ, ẹnẹ ki ya j'uja ẹnwu eche fẹr'eju, ohi ẹnwu eko nyọnyọ, ọda e gw'ọnyu nyọnyọ kpai unyọgba amónẹ, [[humanitarian|ẹnẹ ki ya che ẹnwu nwu ami ọja]] ka kpai manyu onwu che ẹnẹ ki chanẹ ẹnẹ a[[ACTivists|a j'uja nwu amonẹ]]. I che [[vice president|arọne agboji]] nwu [[World Bank]] (Africa region) kw'obi, i che chanẹ [[Transparency International]] I la che onẹ ka efu abo kuma chanẹ ujọ [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|#BringBackOurGirls]] manyu i che federal [[Minister (government)|Minister]] yi [[Nigeria]] onu mejí.<ref>{{Cite journal |last= |first= |date=2024 |title=Dr. Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://nigeriareposit.nln.gov.ng/handle/20.500.14186/1049 |journal=National Library of Nigeria |language=en}}</ref> Onwu ñọ [[Organizational founder|chanẹ]] #FixPolitics Initiative, ugbo ki abo kuma ch'ọma ojanẹ a che u tene,<ref name="Governance">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=#Fix |title=Governance and leadership |url=https://www.fixpolitics.org |website=#FixPolitics |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> unyi ukọchẹ eyi politics [[Policy]] and [[Governance]] (SPPG),<ref name="SPPG">{{cite web |last1=Politics |first1=SPPG |title=SPPG |url=https://thesppg.org/ |website=School of policy and Governance |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai Human Capital Africa.<ref name="ref">{{cite web |last1=HumCapAfrica |first1=Human Capital Africa |title=HCA |url=https://humcapafrica.org |website=Human Capital Africa |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ki amonẹ atẹ e dọ "Oby", Ezekwesili che ẹnẹ ka efu board of directors eyi [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> ẹnẹ ka efu[[Fundacao Dom Cabral]],<ref name="board fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> kpai agboji board of trustees eyi Ehizua Hub.<ref name="chairperson ehizua">{{cite web |last1=Ehizua |first1=Ehizua |title=Ehizua Education and Creative Technology Hub |url=https://ehizua.com/ |website=Ehizua |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Ezekwesili is also a [[chartered accountant]], [[public analyst]], and senior [[economic advisor]] from [[Anambra]] state.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=2020-04-18|title=Oby Ezekwesili mourns Abba Kyari|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/oby-ezekwesili-mourns-abba-kyari/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2021-02-10|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=DR OBIAGELI EZEKWESILI – 2020 APF Conference|url=https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-19|language=en|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019121722/https://conference.africanpf.org/speakers/obiageli-ezekwesili/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesppg.org/|title=Join the Next Class|website=SPPG}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fixpolitics.org/|title=Home|website=#FixPolitics}}</ref> == Ọlayi ẹgba ejodudu kpai Ukọchẹ == Ma bi Ezekwesili yi [[Anambra State|Lagos state]] nwu Benjamin Ujubuonu, ki kwu efu ọdọ 1988, kpai Cecilia Nwayiaka Ujubuonu. Ezekwesili nẹ bachelor's degree kwi [[University of Nigeria, Nsukka]], master's degree efu [[International law|International Law]] kpai Diplomacy kwi [[University of Lagos]], kpai [[Master of Public Administration]] degree kwi [[Harvard Kennedy School]] yi [[Harvard University]]. I che ukọchẹ kpai ugbo ùkọlọ [[Deloitte and Touche]] i la fẹ bọjọ ki che[[chartered accountant]].<ref name="wbank"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili {{!}} Africa Region Vice President|url=https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|access-date=2021-05-25|website=blogs.worldbank.org|date=29 September 2011|language=en|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili|url-status=dead}}</ref> Taki ichanẹ e chùkọlọ nwu government eyi Nigeria, Ezekwesiili ch'ukọlọ kpai Professor [[Jeffrey Sachs]] yi [[Center for International Development]] yi Harvard, i che Director eyi Harvard-Nigeria Economic Strategy Project.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SPE Login|url=https://www.spe.org/appssecured/login/servlet/TpSSOServlet?resource=higherlogic|website=www.spe.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/|title = Oby Ezekwesili}}</ref> === Ukọlọ === Ezekwesili che ukọlọ [[Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Solid Minerals]] kpai [[Federal Ministry of Education (Nigeria)|Federal Minister eyi Education]] ubi lẹ. Kwi ochu ẹlu ọdọ 2007 ti ochu ẹlu 2012, i che arọne‑agboji nwu Africa yi [[World Bank]]. Ẹnẹ ki wa ubi nwu che [[Makhtar Diop]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|title=Makhtar Diop is new World Bank Africa head|work=Africa Review|access-date=2017-10-20|language=en-UK|archive-date=11 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511001632/http://www.africareview.com/News/Senegals-Makhtar-Diop-picked-as-new-World-Bank-Africa-chief/-/979180/1309076/-/15p1jddz/-/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> I che fellow ogijo yi [[Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs]]. === Transparency International ọdọ 1994-1999 === I che ẹnẹ ka efu abo kuma chanẹ [[Transparency International]], onwu che ẹnẹ ka efu ami director ejodudu nwu ujọ amonẹ ki ya juja corruption ọjanẹ ilẹ chaka ki dẹ [[Berlin, Germany]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Book Oby Ezekwesili as a keynote speaker|url=https://www.chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/oby-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Chartwell Speakers|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Vital Voices|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/|website=Vital Voices|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ===Ọdọ 1999-2007=== Ezekwesili chanẹ yi ọfẹ[[Olusegun Obasanjo]] ugbo ki che agboji Budget Monitoring kpai [[Price Intelligence]] Unit (aka Due Process Unit) ejodudu. Efu uña yi onwu i nẹ odu "Madam Due Process" todu ukọlọ nwu efu enẹ ujọ abo kuma n'uma le kuma che ki ẹnwu ami ọja ela kpai ami ọna kuma adu ukọlọ nwu amonẹ che yi uña federal yi Nigeria ki chẹ fẹ.<ref name="career">{{cite web |last1=VenturesAfrica |first1=Africa |title=Madam Due Process - Oby Ezekwesili |url=https://venturesafrica.com/madam-due-processoby-ezekwesili-world-bank-former-vice-president-for-africa/ |website=Venturesafrica.com |date=22 September 2012 |publisher=Ventures |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="research">{{cite journal |last1=Due process |first1=madam |title=University of Lagos - A study of the public Life of Madam Due Process |journal=Lagos Notes and Records |date=28 February 2021 |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=225–248 |url=http://lnr.unilag.edu.ng/article/view/1200 |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> Onwu che uchanẹ Bureau for Public Procurement legislation, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) legislation, kpai Minerals and Mining legislation etitọ ẹgba ọdọ mẹfa nyi ukpẹru ki dẹ efu government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=InvestEgate {{!}} Company Announcements {{!}} Home {{!}} FTSE 100, 250, AIM, techMARK|url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/|website=www.investegate.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister eyi Solid Minerals ==== Efu ochu Ẹfa ọdọ 2005, ma fu Ezekwesili chi ki che Minister eyi Solid Minerals (Mines kpai Steel), ugbo ki chanẹ ukọlọ arida ki jẹ nwu Nigeria nẹ ẹt'ejugede ojanẹ ilẹ chaka kuma mọ ru mining investment destination ki chẹ nojima. Onwu nọ che agboji eyi NEITI, i la nẹ le eche ọna ki ẹnwu ch'ukpẹ edẹ kpai ọna kuma ch'ukpẹ eche ẹnwu yi ójanẹ yi yi efu oil, gas and mining sector.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UNESCO|url=https://en.unesco.org/|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> ==== Minister eyi Education ==== Efu ochu Ẹfa ọdọ 2006, ma fu Ezekwesili chi ki che Federal Minister eyi Education, uña ki gwọnyu gbogbo ta ki gba ukọlọ [[World Bank]] efu ochu Ẹlu ọdọ 2007.<ref name="wbank">{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/0,,contentMDK:21270986~menuPK:258657~pagePK:2865106~piPK:2865128~theSitePK:258644,00.html |title=Obiageli Ezekwesili Appointed As Vice President for the Africa Region |date=23 March 2007 |publisher=The World Bank |access-date=19 February 2010}}</ref> Alu ki dẹ efu government, Ezekwesili nẹ le e dabi kọ ẹnwu kpai e da bi kpejuru ẹnwu eyi Education Ministry todu kuma nẹ [[Education For All|Education for All]] (EfA) targets kpai[[Millennium Development Goals]]. I ñọ du wa [[public-private partnership]]s nwu education service delivery, revamped the Federal Inspectorate Service as an improved quality assurance mechanism, and introduced transparency and accountability mechanisms for better governance of the budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.proshareng.com/news/People/Profile--Ms-Obiageli-Katryn-Ezekwesili----Accountability-&-Transparency-Quest/19200|title = Profile: Ms Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili - Accountability & Transparency Quest}}</ref> === Vice president, World Bank's Africa region === In March 2007, [[World Bank]] President [[Paul Wolfowitz]] announced the appointment of Ezekwesili as vice president for the Africa region starting on 1 May 2007.<ref name="wbank" /> In 2012, she successfully completed her stint as vice president for the World Bank's Africa region.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Egbas|first=Jude|title=10 amazing things you didn"t know about Oby Ezekwesili|language=en-US|url=http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|access-date=2017-10-07|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007222903/http://www.pulse.ng/news/local/10-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-oby-ezekwesili-id7111362.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> As vice president, she was in charge of the bank's operations of 48 countries in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]] and supervised a lending portfolio of over $40 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Social Media Week|url=https://socialmediaweek.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=Social Media Week|language=en-US|archive-date=23 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523050956/https://socialmediaweek.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==Later career== As a senior economic advisor for [[Open Society Foundations|Open Society]], a group founded by [[George Soros]], Ezekwesili advises nine reform-committed African heads of state including [[Paul Kagame]] of [[Rwanda]] and [[Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf]] of [[Liberia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Somerville College Oxford|url=https://www.some.ox.ac.uk/|website=www.some.ox.ac.uk|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> === Board memberships === On 1 October 2012, one of the world's leading telecommunications firms, [[Bharti Airtel]], with operations in 20 countries, named Ezekwesili as a director on its board. She is also on the boards of [[World Wildlife Fund]], the School of Public Policy of [[Central European University]], the Harold Hartog School of Government and Policy, ''[[New African]]'' magazine, [[Women Political Leaders]],<ref name="board_wpl">{{cite web |last1=Leaders |first1=Women Political |title=WPL |url=https://www.womenpoliticalleaders.org/ |website=Women Political Leaders |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> [[Fundacao Dom Cabral]]<ref name="board_fdc">{{cite web |last1=Dom Cabral |first1=Fundacao |title=FDC |url=https://www.fdc.org.br/en/aboutfdc |website=Fundacao Dom Cabral |publisher=FDC |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and the Center for Global Leadership [[Tufts University]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The World Economic Forum|url=https://www.weforum.org/|website=World Economic Forum|language=en|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> In April 2020, she was appointed to the board of trustees of the [[International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation]] where she contributes to overseeing their expansion in developing economies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IBFD Your Portal to Cross Border Tax Expertise|url=https://www.ibfd.org/|website=www.ibfd.org|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref> She is also the co-chair of the [[World Economic Forum]] Africa Regional Stewardship Board.<ref name="Honorary">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Co-chair of Africa Regional Board World Economic Forum |url=https://www.weforum.org/people/obiageli-katryn-ezekwesili |website=Weforum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="enlist_Honor">{{cite web |last1=WeForum |first1=WEF |title=Launch of Davos Friends of Africa Growth Platform |url=https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/01/launch-of-davos-friends-of-africa-growth-platform/ |website=world Economic Forum |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=University of Cape Town |first1=UCT |title=WEF names Pityana as co-chair of its Africa board |url=http://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2020-01-31-wef-names-pityana-as-co-chair-of-its-africa-board |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=University of Cape Town |publisher=University of Cape Town News |date=31 January 2020}}</ref> In January 2019, Ezekwesili was appointed on the advisory board of directors<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-12|title=Oby Ezekwesili launches scholarship programme for young Nigerian women|url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|access-date=2021-03-09|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US|archive-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204022658/https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/oby-ezekwesili-launches-scholarship-programme-for-young-nigerian-women/7z01y57|url-status=dead}}</ref> of Nexford University in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington DC]] and subsequently launched a scholarship program dedicated to women in [[Nigeria]]. In December 2021, Nexford University appointed her as a member of its board of directors.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-18|title=Nexford University Appoints Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili Into Board Of Directors|url=https://geeky.com.ng/nexford-university-appoints-dr-obiageli-ezekwesili-into-board-of-directors/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Geeky Nigeria|language=en-US}}</ref> She is also the Senior Economic Adviser to the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative<ref name="senior_adviser">{{cite web |last1=Economic Advisory |first1=aedpi |title=Senior Economic Adviser Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative |url=https://theaedpi.org/ |website=theaedpi |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> and a member of the advisory board of the [[Institute for State Effectiveness]].<ref name="advisory_board_of_effectiveness">{{cite web |last1=Advisory Board |first1=member |title=The Institute for State Effectiveness |url=https://effectivestates.org/who-we-are/ |website=effectivestates.org |publisher=ISE |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> === Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign === In March 2014, Ezekwesili delivered a speech at the national summit of the [[All Progressives Congress]] (APC), Nigeria's leading opposition party. She criticized the many cross-carpeting governors and urged the party to have "a conversation deeper than how you're going to chase (the ruling) PDP out of power".<ref>Ayokunle Odekunle, [http://www.ynaija.com/ten-things-you-should-know-about-oby-ezekwesilis-speech-at-the-apc-national-summit/ "10 things you SHOULD know about Oby Ezekwesili's speech at the APC National summit"], Naija.com.</ref> After [[2014 Chibok kidnapping|nearly 300 mainly Christian girls were abducted]] from [[Chibok]] by the [[Islamist]] militant group [[Boko Haram]],<ref>David Smith, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/nigeria-launches-military-operation-to-find-kidnapped-girls "Military operation launched to locate kidnapped Nigerian girls"], ''The Guardian'', 14 May 2014: "Although most of the abducted girls are Christian, all were wearing Muslim dress and two were singled out to say they had converted to Islam."</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27389082 "Nigeria abduction video: Schoolgirls 'recognised'"], BBC, 13 May 2014: "The girls' families have said that most of those seized are Christians, although there are a number of Muslims among them."</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Terrorists kidnap more than 200 Nigerian girls|date=21 April 2014|work=USA Today|first=Oren|last=Dorell|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/21/parents-234-girls-kidnapped-from-nigeria-school/7958307/|access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref> Ezekwesili used the [[Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping|Bring Back Our Girls]] (BBOG) advocacy group to draw global attention to the plight of all persons who have been abducted by terrorists from Nigeria's war ravaged northeast region.<ref name=":0" /> She was instrumental to the start of the viral [[#Advocacy and #BringBackOurGirls Campaign]] on social media, which trended internationally. On 23 April, at the opening ceremony for a [[UNESCO]] event honoring the city of [[Port Harcourt]] as the 2014 [[World Book Capital]] city, she urged Nigerians to not just tweet but actively participate in efforts to "bring back our girls".<ref>Nadia Nasanovsky, [http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/158929/a-global-effort-to-%E2%80%98bring-back-our-girls%E2%80%99 "A global effort to ‘Bring Back Our Girls’"], ''Buenos Aires herald'', 8 May 2014.</ref><ref>Emma Howard, [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/07/bring-back-our-girls-global-protests-abduction-nigerian-schoolgirls "Bring back our girls: global protests over abduction of Nigerian schoolgirls"], ''The Guardian'', 7 May 2014.</ref><ref name="cnn_gps">{{cite news |last1=GPS |first1=Chibok |title=On GPS: Where are the missing Chibok girls? |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2019/01/11/exp-gps-0113-ezekwesili-on-chibok-girls-still-captured.cnn |access-date=13 January 2022 |agency=CNN |publisher=Fareed Zakaria |date=11 January 2019}}</ref> As she prepared to board a [[British Airways]] flight to London to appear on the [[BBC]] programme ''[[Hard Talk]]'' in July 2014, she was detained by Nigeria's secret service, the [[State Security Service (Nigeria)|SSS]], who also seized her passport.<ref>[http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ "OUTRAGE: BBOG coordinator, Oby Ezekwesili arrested, released"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728092712/http://www.today.ng/news/outrage-bbog-coordinator-oby-ezekwesili-arrested-released/ |date=28 July 2014 }}, ''Today'', 14 July 2014.</ref><ref>[http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html "#BringBackOurGirls: Oby Ezekwesili detained by SSS officials in Abuja"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324004422/http://pulse.ng/gist/bringbackourgirls-oby-ezekwesili-detained-by-sss-officials-in-abuja-id2998931.html |date=24 March 2017 }}, Pulse.ng, 21 July 2014.</ref> She was later released the same morning. She is the founder and convener of the #RedCardMovement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dailytrust.com/womens-march-celebrating-obys-passion-for-a-new-nigeria/|title=Women's March: celebrating Oby's passion for a new Nigeria|date=March 2021 |accessdate=26 August 2024|newspaper=[[Daily Trust]]}}</ref> == 2019 presidential election== {{Main|2019 Nigerian general election}} Ezekwesili contested for the office of the [[president of Nigeria]] on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack">{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili: Values and vision divergence with ACPN triggered my withdrawal presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152951/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-values-vision-divergence/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The former minister had hinted at contesting for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/obyezeks/status/1039795704712097792|title=Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en}}</ref> At an event commemorating the 58th anniversary of Nigeria's independence, Pastor [[Tunde Bakare]] announced that she would be running for the office of the president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecable.ng/breaking-oby-ezekwesili-contest-president-says-tunde-bakare|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare - TheCable|date=2018-10-01|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US|newspaper=[[TheCable]]}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Oluwamayowa Tijani|title=Oby Ezekwesili to run for president, says Tunde Bakare|date=2018-10-01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/jYJiZn6cJ18 |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|access-date=2018-10-02}}{{cbignore}}</ref> One of her campaign promises was to lift 80 million Nigerians out of poverty.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili officially flags off presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |access-date=8 January 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oaktv |date=8 January 2019 |archive-date=8 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108200631/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesili-officially-flag/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="cnn_amanpour">{{cite web |last1=Amanpour |first1=Christine |title=Ezekwesili's interview with Christine Amanpour |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2018/11/21/nigerian-presidential-candidate-oby-ezekwesili-amanpour.cnn |website=CNN |date=21 November 2018 |publisher=Christine Amanpour |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="yahoo_abrams">{{cite web |last1=Abrams |first1=Stacey |title=Stacey Abrams interviews Ezekwesili |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |website=yahoo |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113193715/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/stacey-abrams-interviews-dr-oby-190000823.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 24 January 2019, Ezekwesili withdrew from the presidential race,<ref>{{cite news |title=Oby Ezekwesili withdraws from presidential race |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152929/https://oak.tv/newstrack/oby-ezekwesili-withdraws-presidential-race/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> owing to a divergence of values and visions with her political party.<ref name="Oak TV Newstrack"/> However, later in the day, the [[Independent National Electoral Commission (Nigeria)|Independent National Electoral Commission]]<ref>{{cite news |title=INEC Receives N198bn for General Election |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152753/https://oak.tv/newstrack/inec-receives-n198bn-general-election/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> said it was too late for anyone to withdraw from the race because the ballot materials had already been prepared. For that reason, the crest of the party would still appear.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ezekwesili: It's too late for candidates to step down, says INEC |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=27 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152838/https://oak.tv/newstrack/ezekwesili-late-candidates/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Fela Durotoye]] commended Ezekwesili for taking the lead and clamouring for a coalition to end the rule of #APCPDP.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fela Durotoye Commends Oby Ezekwesili, expresses commitment to renew search for coalition candidate |url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=Oak TV Newstrack |date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=24 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124212611/https://oak.tv/newstrack/fela-durotoye-commends-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 4 February 2019, Ezekwesili organised a press conference in NICON Luxury Hall, Abuja. She spoke during her press conference about her rough political journey while campaigning for the office of the President of Nigeria under the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=INSIDE DETAILS: Oby Ezekwesili opens up on her rough political journey |url=https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015323/https://oak.tv/inside-details-oby-ezekwesili/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> She also gave a motivational speech as she stepped down from the 2019 presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Television |first1=Oak |title=Oby Ezekwesili's emotional speech as she takes a bow from 2019 presidential campaign |url=https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=OAK TV |publisher=Oak tv |date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015320/https://oak.tv/oby-ezekwesilis-emotional-speech-takes-bow-2019-presidential-campaign/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 7 February 2019, Ezekwesili published her campaign finances. The report shows she spent 48 million Naira between 1 October 2018 and 2 February 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/oby-ezekwesili-publishes-campaign-finances/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Oby Ezekwesili publishes campaign finances|date = 7 February 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref> == Personal life == Oby is married to Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili of the [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]] (RCCG) and has three sons: Chinemelum, Chinweuba and Chidera.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Oby Ezekwesili Offers Marriage Tips To Young Nigerians|language=en-gb|work=Nigeriafilms.com|url=https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|access-date=2018-05-24|archive-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524222825/https://www.nigeriafilms.com/more/127-columnists/43711-oby-ezekwesili-offers-marriage-tips-to-young-nigerians|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2021, Ezekwesili submitted a petition to the [[Inspector General of Police (Nigeria)|Inspector General of Police]] against [[Japheth J. Omojuwa|Japhet Omojuwa]], accusing him of fraudulently using her name as a director in his firm, Alpha Reach Company Limited.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-04-16|title=Fraud: Ezekwesili submits evidence against Omojuwa to IGP, demands prosecution|url=https://punchng.com/fraud-ezekwesili-submits-evidence-against-omojuwa-to-ig-demands-prosecution/|access-date=2021-04-17|newspaper=[[The Punch]]|language=en-US}}</ref> == Awards and recognition == * In 2006, Ezekwesili was given the national award of [[Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic]] (CFR).<ref name="auto"/> * In May 2012, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (DSC) degree by the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nexford University|url=https://www.nexford.org/|access-date=2020-05-28|website=www.nexford.org|language=en}}</ref> She was selected as one of the [[BBC 100 Women|BBC's 100 Women]] in 2013 and 2014.<ref>{{cite web|date=22 November 2013|title=100 Women: Who took part?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-24579511|website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=26 October 2014|title=Who are the 100 Women 2014?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-29758792|access-date=4 December 2016|publisher=BBC}}</ref> *In December 2012, Ezekwesili was named by the ''[[New African]]'' magazine as one of the 100 Most influential Africans.<ref name="influential award">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=100 Most Influential |title=100 Most Influential Africans |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/3375/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |publisher=New African |date=23 December 2012}}</ref> *In December 2014, Ezekwesili was named again among the 2014 most influential Africans - Civil Society and Activism by the ''New African'' magazine.<ref name="influential award 2">{{cite news |last1=Africans |first1=Most Influential |title=Civil Society & Activism |url=https://newafricanmagazine.com/9340/ |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=NewAfrican |publisher=New African Magazine |date=22 December 2014}}</ref> *In March 2016, Ezekwesili won the 2016 New Africa women award.<ref name="women awards">{{cite news |last1=Awards |first1=women |title=New Africa |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/events/new-africa-women-awards-2016-oby-ezekwesili-zuriel-oduwole-jumoke-adenowo-and-others/hrwpp5t |access-date=12 January 2022 |agency=New Africa |publisher=Pulse Ng |date=12 March 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * In July 2016, Ezekwesili was awarded an honorary graduate degree by the [[University of Essex]], [[United Kingdom]], where she presented an inspiring and impassioned speech to the graduating students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www1.essex.ac.uk/news/event.aspx?e_id=10662|title=Bring Back Our Girls campaigner Obiageli Ezekwesili awarded Honorary Degree by University of Essex - News - University of Essex|website=www1.essex.ac.uk}}</ref> * In March 2019, Ezekwesili won the Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award for her efforts on the #BringBackOurGirls campaign on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|date=2019-03-26|title=Ezekwesili wins Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/322500-ezekwesili-wins-forbes-woman-africa-social-influencer-award.html|access-date=2019-03-27|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]|language=en-GB}}</ref> * In 2019, she was awarded a Richard Von Weizsäcker Fellowship at the [[Robert Bosch Academy]] in Berlin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/ezekwesili-others-bag-weizsacker-fellowship-in-germany/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title = Ezekwesili, others bag Weizsäcker fellowship in Germany|date = 2 September 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertboschacademy.de/en/fellow/obiageli-ezekwesili|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|website=Robert Bosch Academy}}</ref> * She was selected as a 2020 Global Leadership Awards honoree.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Obiageli Ezekwesili|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Vital Voices|language=en}}</ref> Also named as one of 100 visionaries featured in the 3D book "Genius:100 Visionary Thinkers launched in [[Montreal]], [[Canada]] in 2017 by Albert Einstein's Foundations. * In 2020, she was invested as a global leader by the [[Vital Voices]] Global leadership awards.<ref name="awards">{{cite web |last1=Voices |first1=Vital |title=Global Leadership Awards |url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/what-we-do/individual-investments/honoree-program-2/ |website=Vital Voices Global Partnership |publisher=Vital Voices |access-date=12 January 2022 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * She was recognized by ''Time'' magazine as one of its 100 Most Influential People and by the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' as one of the 25 Women of Impact for 2015. * She holds the [[Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Public Service]] of the [[Harvard Kennedy School|Harvard Kennedy School of Government]], and the Tuft University EPIIC Jean Meyer Award. She is a Democracy Ambassador -International IDEA, and a 2018 [[Nobel Peace Prize]] nominee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biography of Dr (Mrs.) Obiageli (Oby) Katryn Ezekwesili |url=http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |website=ACUF Asthma Conference |access-date=25 May 2021 |archive-date=25 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525190036/http://acufasthmaconference.org.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/eze-bio.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> * She is one of the 100 Genius Visionaries inducted by the Genius 100 Foundation.<ref name="Honors">{{cite web |last1=Visionaries |first1=Genius 100 |title=An Active and engaged Community of 100 exceptional Individuals |url=https://www.genius100visions.com/ |website=Genius 100 visions |publisher=Genius 100 Foundation |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * In August 2021, Ezekwesili joined [[Yale University]]'s Jackson School of Global Affairs as a senior fellow.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/481907-ezekwesili-joins-yale-university-as-senior-fellow.html|title = Ezekwesili joins Yale University as senior fellow &#124; Premium Times Nigeria|date = 29 August 2021|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]}}</ref><ref name="education">{{cite web |last1=Yale |first1=University |title=Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs |url=https://jackson.yale.edu/person/oby-ezekwesili/ |website=Yale edu |publisher=Yale University |access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> * On May 20, 2022, Dr Oby received the most impactful woman of the year Award. It was hosted by The [https://www.womenofinestimablevalues.org Women of inestimable values] foundation impact makers award to celebrate impact makers across the world.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-16 |title=Vanguard |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/wivf-recognises-impact-makers-launches-book-to-celebrate-5th-year-anniversary/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks|d=Q7074927|c=Category:Oby Ezekwesili|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}} * [https://twitter.com/obyezeks Oby Ezekwesili on Twitter] * [https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/obiageli-ezekwesili/ Obiageli Ezekwesili] * [https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili Obiageli Ezekwesili | Africa Region Vice President] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016041124/https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/obiageli-ezekwesili |date=16 October 2021 }} * [https://archive.today/20130416060748/http://go.worldbank.org/0YXPCPBHW0 Interview with Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President for the World Bank Africa Region]. The World Bank, November–December 2007 {{Cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo 2003-2007}} {{Human rights in Nigeria}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ezekwesili, Obiageli}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Nigerian accountants]] [[Category:Nigerian economists]] [[Category:Nigerian women economists]] [[Category:World Bank people]] [[Category:University of Lagos alumni]] [[Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni]] [[Category:Federal ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:University of Nigeria alumni]] [[Category:1963 births]] [[Category:Nigerian women activists]] [[Category:Nigerian human rights activists]] [[Category:Women government ministers of Nigeria]] [[Category:Nigerian officials of the United Nations]] [[Category:Candidates for President of Nigeria]] ffzam9jep45avxdba416rcik5ayv49a Funmi Olonisakin 0 1995 40184 40167 2026-04-16T02:46:57Z Charipearl 51 40184 wikitext text/x-wiki {{short description|British-Nigerian scholar (born 1965)}}{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}{{Infobox person|name=Funmi Olonisakin|image=Funmi Olonisakin 2025.jpg|alt=|caption=Olonisakin in Abuja at the ECOWAS 50th Anniversary, 2025|birth_name=<!-- only use if different from name -->|birth_date={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1965|02|08}}|death_date=<!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{Death-date and age|death date†|birth date†}} -->|death_place=|citizenship=[[British Nigerian]]|education=[[PhD]]|alma_mater=[[University of Ife]]<br />[[Obafemi Awolowo University]]<br />[[King's College London]]|occupation=[[Lecturer]], [[Researcher]]|title=Vice President/Principal (International) of King's College London|known_for=[[Peace]], [[Security studies|security]] and [[leadership]] scholarship|website={{URL|http://funmiolonisakin.com}}}}'''Funmi Olonisakin''' (born 8 February 1965)<ref>{{cite web|title=Funmi Olonisakin Biography|url=https://www.biyografya.com/en/biographies/funmi-olonisakin-5e439e37|website=Biyografya|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> is a [[British Nigerian]] scholar, feminist and academic whose work focuses on leadership, security, peace, and conflict studies.<ref name="AFFOlonisakin">{{cite web|title=Funmi (Oluwafunmilayo) Olonisakin|url=https://www.africanfeministforum.com/funmi-oluwafunmilayo-olonisakin/|website=African Feminist Forum|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref> She is a professor at [[King’s College London]] and an Extra-Ordinary Professor at the [[University of Pretoria]].<ref name="KCLViceDeanIntl">{{cite web|title=Funmi Olonisakin|url=https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/funmi-olonisakin|website=King’s College London|access-date=30 December 2025}}</ref> She is the founder and former director of the [[African Leadership Centre]] (ALC), where she has played a key role in mentoring the next generation of African scholars, practitioners and leaders.<ref name="CODESRIAOlonisakin">{{cite web|title=Funmi Olonisakin|url=https://codesria.org/funmi-olonisakin/|website=CODESRIA|access-date=29 December 2025}}</ref><ref name="Carnegie">{{cite web|title=Cultivating 'Home-Grown' Security and Development Expertise is Aim of African Leadership Centre|url=https://www.carnegie.org/news/articles/cultivating-home-grown-security-and-development-expertise-is-aim-of-african-leadership-centre/|website=Carnegie Corporation of New York|date=24 June 2010|access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref> Efu ọdọ 2018, Olonisakin kọla yi King’s College London efu uja ku che todu ma lo ñwu nyanẹ, i jẹñwu chonobulẹ dudu ejodudu manyi prọfẹdọ onobulẹ ki che abalẹ.<ref name="CODESRIAOlonisakin" /><ref name="AfricanRadioOlonisakin2018">{{cite web|title=First black woman professor at King's College delivers inaugural lecture|url=https://alcafricanradio.com/index.php/2018/07/20/first-black-woman-professor-at-kings-college-delivers-inaugural-lecture-by-desmond-davies-gna/|website=ALC African Radio (Ghana News Agency)|author=Desmond Davies|date=20 July 2018|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref><ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018">{{cite web|title=First Black Woman Professor At King's College Delivers Inaugural Lecture|url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/869728/first-black-woman-professor-at-kings-college-delivers-inaug.html|website=ModernGhana|author=GNA|date=21 July 2018|access-date=30 December 2025}}</ref> Olonisakin che arọnẹ agboji (Principal) neu International Affairs yi King’s College London abajọ-i.<ref name="CODESRIAOlonisakin" /> == Ukọchẹ == Ma bi Olonisakin efu South London ñwu attah kpai Iye ki kwi Naijiria.<ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" />I nẹ ọtakada [[Bachelor of Science]] degree ñwu efu [[Political science|Political Science]] kwi [[University Of Ile-Ife]], [[Nigeria]] efu ọdọ 1984.<ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" /> I kpoji [[master's degree|master degree]] ñwu efu [[War studies|War Studies]] efu ọdọ 1990 manyi i nẹ [[PhD]] efu War Studies yi King’s College London efu ọdọ 1996.<ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" /> == Ojima kpai ejuma == .Efu ọdọ 2018, Olonisakin kọla yi King’s College London efu uja ku che todu ma lo ñwu nyanẹ, i jẹñwu chonobulẹ dudu ejodudu manyi prọfẹdọ onobulẹ ki che abalẹ.<ref name="CODESRIAOlonisakin" /><ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" /> I gba ọtakada ejuma efu unyi ukọchẹ lefu uta ki ta kpai ama, manyi ujọ [[Andrew Mellon Foundation]] manyi ujọ abo [[Geneva Centre for Security Policy]] (GCSP).<ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" /><ref name="ACCORDOlonisakin">{{cite web|title=Funmi Olonisakin – ACCORD|url=https://www.accord.org.za/people/funmi-olonisakin/|website=ACCORD|access-date=30 December 2025}}</ref> Ma ma Olonisakin lefu uta ki ta ugbọda kpai abo [[Powerlist]], ki jẹ ñwu ẹñwu k'abo African manyi African-Caribbean heritage efu United Kingdom gba ny'ọgba. I dufu efu ọtakada ku ma kọ ọdọ 2019, ọdọ 2020, manyi ọdọ 2021.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lavender|first=Jane|title=Lewis Hamilton ends incredible year top of influential Black Powerlist 2021|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/black-power-list-2021-lewis-23017308|work=Daily Mirror|date=17 November 2020|access-date=19 January 2021|language=en}}</ref> Efu ọdọ 2022, University of Pretoria du Ọtakada degree eyi Doctor of Philosophy ([[honoris causa]]) ñwu Olonisakin todu ku ma li ukọlọ ki che todu ki urẹdọ ki dẹ ojanẹ Africa ki gboji de agbagba abobulẹ kpai am'agbadufu.<ref name="KCLViceDeanIntl" /> == Ami ọtakada ki che dufu == === Ami ọtakada === * ''Militancy and Violence in West Africa: Religion, Politics and Radicalization'', ed.James Gow, Funmi Olonisakin & Ernst Dijxhoorn. London: Routledge, 2013. {{ISBN|9780415821377}} * ''Women and Security Governance in Africa'', ed. Funmi Olonisakin & [[Awino Okech]]. Oxford: Pambazuka Press, 2011. {{ISBN|9781906387891}} * ''Women, Peace and Security: Translating Policy into Practice'', ed. Funmi Olonisakin, Karen Barnes & Eka Ikpe. London: Routledge,2011. {{ISBN|9780415587976}} * ''Security Sector Transformation in Africa'', ed. Alan Bryden & Funmi Olonisakin. Munster: Lit Verlag, 2010. {{ISBN|9783643800718}} * ''The Challenges of Security Sector Governance in West Africa'', ed. Alan Bryden, Boubacar Ndiaye & Funmi Olonisakin. Munster: Lit Verlag, 2008. {{ISBN|9783037350218}} * ''Peacekeeping in Sierra Leone: The Story of UNAMSIL''. Boulder and London: Lynne Reinner, 2008. {{ISBN|9781588265203}} * ''Global Development and Human Security'', ed. Robert Picciotto, Funmi Olonisakin & Michael ClarkeNew Brunswick and London: Transaction Publishers, 2007. {{ISBN|9781412811484}} * ''A Handbook of Security Sector Governance in Africa'', ed. Nicole Ball & Kayode Fayemi. London: Centre for Democracy and Development, 2004. * ''Reinventing Peacekeeping in Africa: Conceptual and Legal Issues in the ECOMOG Operations''. The Hague: Kluwer Law International, 2000. {{ISBN|9789041113214}} * ''Engaging Sierra Leone''. London: Centre for Democracy and Development, 2000. {{ISBN|9781902296081}} * ''Peacekeepers, Politicians and Warlords'', by Abiodun Alao, Funmi Olonisakin & John Mackinlay Tokyo: United Nations University Press, 1999. {{ISBN|9789280810318}} == Go gẹ == * [[Cynthia Chigwenya]] – Zimbabwean political researcher and pracademic * [[Njoki Wamai]] – Kenyan political scientist and scholar of peace and security in Africa * [[Awino Okech]] – Professor of Feminist and Security Studies at SOAS, University of London * [[Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi]] – Nigerian feminist activist, writer, and co-founder of the African Women's Development Fund * [[Eka Ikpe]] – Nigerian development economist and Director of the African Leadership Centre at King's College London * [[Toyin Ajao]] – Nigerian scholar and founder of Ìmọ́lẹ̀ of Afrika Centre, focused on restorative healing of intergenerational trauma * [[Fatima Akilu]] – Nigerian psychologist and director of the Neem Foundation, focused on mental health and countering violent extremism == Ẹtẹ ñwu == {{reflist|30em}} == External links == * [http://www.kcl.ac.uk/index.aspx/ King's College London] * [http://www.africanleadershipcentre.org/ African Leadership Centre] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20160518133206/http://africansecuritynetwork.org/site/ African Security Sector Network] {{Authority control}} c1zexek2ap93wb7wmk2lqce8zec4sph 40185 40184 2026-04-16T02:57:11Z Charipearl 51 40185 wikitext text/x-wiki {{short description|British-Nigerian scholar (born 1965)}}{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}{{Infobox person|name=Funmi Olonisakin|image=Funmi Olonisakin 2025.jpg|alt=|caption=Olonisakin in Abuja at the ECOWAS 50th Anniversary, 2025|birth_name=<!-- only use if different from name -->|birth_date={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1965|02|08}}|death_date=<!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{Death-date and age|death date†|birth date†}} -->|death_place=|citizenship=[[British Nigerian]]|education=[[PhD]]|alma_mater=[[University of Ife]]<br />[[Obafemi Awolowo University]]<br />[[King's College London]]|occupation=[[Lecturer]], [[Researcher]]|title=Vice President/Principal (International) of King's College London|known_for=[[Peace]], [[Security studies|security]] and [[leadership]] scholarship|website={{URL|http://funmiolonisakin.com}}}}'''Funmi Olonisakin''' (ku ma bi ọjọ ẹkẹjọ efu ochu eji efu ọdọ 1965)<ref>{{cite web|title=Funmi Olonisakin Biography|url=https://www.biyografya.com/en/biographies/funmi-olonisakin-5e439e37|website=Biyografya|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> chẹnẹ [[British Nigerian]] scholar, ajuja koji abobulẹ kpai ẹnẹ kia akonẹ ẹñwu ki ukọlọ ñwu kperu agoji, udie, urẹdọ, kpai ukọchẹ iyanyi agbagba amonẹ.<ref name="AFFOlonisakin">{{cite web|title=Funmi (Oluwafunmilayo) Olonisakin|url=https://www.africanfeministforum.com/funmi-oluwafunmilayo-olonisakin/|website=African Feminist Forum|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref> i che prọfẹsọ yi [[King’s College London]] manyi prọfẹsọ ọkwu yi [[University of Pretoria]].<ref name="KCLViceDeanIntl">{{cite web|title=Funmi Olonisakin|url=https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/funmi-olonisakin|website=King’s College London|access-date=30 December 2025}}</ref> I chẹnẹ ki du [[African Leadership Centre]] (ALC) nyanọ kpai añ'ọna ọmọ kw'ubi, ugbo ki a du eju go abo ichẹ African scholars ki a na wa, am'achukọlọ kpai am'agboji.<ref name="CODESRIAOlonisakin">{{cite web|title=Funmi Olonisakin|url=https://codesria.org/funmi-olonisakin/|website=CODESRIA|access-date=29 December 2025}}</ref><ref name="Carnegie">{{cite web|title=Cultivating 'Home-Grown' Security and Development Expertise is Aim of African Leadership Centre|url=https://www.carnegie.org/news/articles/cultivating-home-grown-security-and-development-expertise-is-aim-of-african-leadership-centre/|website=Carnegie Corporation of New York|date=24 June 2010|access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref> Efu ọdọ 2018, Olonisakin kọla yi King’s College London efu uja ku che todu ma lo ñwu nyanẹ, i jẹñwu chonobulẹ dudu ejodudu manyi prọfẹdọ onobulẹ ki che abalẹ.<ref name="CODESRIAOlonisakin" /><ref name="AfricanRadioOlonisakin2018">{{cite web|title=First black woman professor at King's College delivers inaugural lecture|url=https://alcafricanradio.com/index.php/2018/07/20/first-black-woman-professor-at-kings-college-delivers-inaugural-lecture-by-desmond-davies-gna/|website=ALC African Radio (Ghana News Agency)|author=Desmond Davies|date=20 July 2018|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref><ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018">{{cite web|title=First Black Woman Professor At King's College Delivers Inaugural Lecture|url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/869728/first-black-woman-professor-at-kings-college-delivers-inaug.html|website=ModernGhana|author=GNA|date=21 July 2018|access-date=30 December 2025}}</ref> Olonisakin che arọnẹ agboji (Principal) neu International Affairs yi King’s College London abajọ-i.<ref name="CODESRIAOlonisakin" /> == Ukọchẹ == Ma bi Olonisakin efu South London ñwu attah kpai Iye ki kwi Naijiria.<ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" />I nẹ ọtakada [[Bachelor of Science]] degree ñwu efu [[Political science|Political Science]] kwi [[University Of Ile-Ife]], [[Nigeria]] efu ọdọ 1984.<ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" /> I kpoji [[master's degree|master degree]] ñwu efu [[War studies|War Studies]] efu ọdọ 1990 manyi i nẹ [[PhD]] efu War Studies yi King’s College London efu ọdọ 1996.<ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" /> == Ojima kpai ejuma == .Efu ọdọ 2018, Olonisakin kọla yi King’s College London efu uja ku che todu ma lo ñwu nyanẹ, i jẹñwu chonobulẹ dudu ejodudu manyi prọfẹdọ onobulẹ ki che abalẹ.<ref name="CODESRIAOlonisakin" /><ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" /> I gba ọtakada ejuma efu unyi ukọchẹ lefu uta ki ta kpai ama, manyi ujọ [[Andrew Mellon Foundation]] manyi ujọ abo [[Geneva Centre for Security Policy]] (GCSP).<ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" /><ref name="ACCORDOlonisakin">{{cite web|title=Funmi Olonisakin – ACCORD|url=https://www.accord.org.za/people/funmi-olonisakin/|website=ACCORD|access-date=30 December 2025}}</ref> Ma ma Olonisakin lefu uta ki ta ugbọda kpai abo [[Powerlist]], ki jẹ ñwu ẹñwu k'abo African manyi African-Caribbean heritage efu United Kingdom gba ny'ọgba. I dufu efu ọtakada ku ma kọ ọdọ 2019, ọdọ 2020, manyi ọdọ 2021.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lavender|first=Jane|title=Lewis Hamilton ends incredible year top of influential Black Powerlist 2021|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/black-power-list-2021-lewis-23017308|work=Daily Mirror|date=17 November 2020|access-date=19 January 2021|language=en}}</ref> Efu ọdọ 2022, University of Pretoria du Ọtakada degree eyi Doctor of Philosophy ([[honoris causa]]) ñwu Olonisakin todu ku ma li ukọlọ ki che todu ki urẹdọ ki dẹ ojanẹ Africa ki gboji de agbagba abobulẹ kpai am'agbadufu.<ref name="KCLViceDeanIntl" /> == Ami ọtakada ki che dufu == === Ami ọtakada === * ''Militancy and Violence in West Africa: Religion, Politics and Radicalization'', ed.James Gow, Funmi Olonisakin & Ernst Dijxhoorn. London: Routledge, 2013. {{ISBN|9780415821377}} * ''Women and Security Governance in Africa'', ed. Funmi Olonisakin & [[Awino Okech]]. Oxford: Pambazuka Press, 2011. {{ISBN|9781906387891}} * ''Women, Peace and Security: Translating Policy into Practice'', ed. Funmi Olonisakin, Karen Barnes & Eka Ikpe. London: Routledge,2011. {{ISBN|9780415587976}} * ''Security Sector Transformation in Africa'', ed. Alan Bryden & Funmi Olonisakin. Munster: Lit Verlag, 2010. {{ISBN|9783643800718}} * ''The Challenges of Security Sector Governance in West Africa'', ed. Alan Bryden, Boubacar Ndiaye & Funmi Olonisakin. Munster: Lit Verlag, 2008. {{ISBN|9783037350218}} * ''Peacekeeping in Sierra Leone: The Story of UNAMSIL''. Boulder and London: Lynne Reinner, 2008. {{ISBN|9781588265203}} * ''Global Development and Human Security'', ed. Robert Picciotto, Funmi Olonisakin & Michael ClarkeNew Brunswick and London: Transaction Publishers, 2007. {{ISBN|9781412811484}} * ''A Handbook of Security Sector Governance in Africa'', ed. Nicole Ball & Kayode Fayemi. London: Centre for Democracy and Development, 2004. * ''Reinventing Peacekeeping in Africa: Conceptual and Legal Issues in the ECOMOG Operations''. The Hague: Kluwer Law International, 2000. {{ISBN|9789041113214}} * ''Engaging Sierra Leone''. London: Centre for Democracy and Development, 2000. {{ISBN|9781902296081}} * ''Peacekeepers, Politicians and Warlords'', by Abiodun Alao, Funmi Olonisakin & John Mackinlay Tokyo: United Nations University Press, 1999. {{ISBN|9789280810318}} == Go gẹ == * [[Cynthia Chigwenya]] – Zimbabwean political researcher and pracademic * [[Njoki Wamai]] – Kenyan political scientist and scholar of peace and security in Africa * [[Awino Okech]] – Professor of Feminist and Security Studies at SOAS, University of London * [[Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi]] – Nigerian feminist activist, writer, and co-founder of the African Women's Development Fund * [[Eka Ikpe]] – Nigerian development economist and Director of the African Leadership Centre at King's College London * [[Toyin Ajao]] – Nigerian scholar and founder of Ìmọ́lẹ̀ of Afrika Centre, focused on restorative healing of intergenerational trauma * [[Fatima Akilu]] – Nigerian psychologist and director of the Neem Foundation, focused on mental health and countering violent extremism == Ẹtẹ ñwu == {{reflist|30em}} == External links == * [http://www.kcl.ac.uk/index.aspx/ King's College London] * [http://www.africanleadershipcentre.org/ African Leadership Centre] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20160518133206/http://africansecuritynetwork.org/site/ African Security Sector Network] {{Authority control}} 5kzzotol7672gwrz1xquva239k0nfu8 40186 40185 2026-04-16T02:59:12Z Charipearl 51 40186 wikitext text/x-wiki {{short description|British-Nigerian scholar (born 1965)}}{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}{{Infobox person|name=Funmi Olonisakin|image=Funmi Olonisakin 2025.jpg|alt=|caption=Olonisakin in Abuja at the ECOWAS 50th Anniversary, 2025|birth_name=<!-- only use if different from name -->|birth_date={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1965|02|08}}|death_date=<!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{Death-date and age|death date†|birth date†}} -->|death_place=|citizenship=[[British Nigerian]]|education=[[PhD]]|alma_mater=[[University of Ife]]<br />[[Obafemi Awolowo University]]<br />[[King's College London]]|occupation=[[Lecturer]], [[Researcher]]|title=Vice President/Principal (International) of King's College London|known_for=[[Peace]], [[Security studies|security]] and [[leadership]] scholarship|website={{URL|http://funmiolonisakin.com}}}}'''Funmi Olonisakin''' (ku ma bi ọjọ ẹkẹjọ efu ochu eji efu ọdọ 1965)<ref>{{cite web|title=Funmi Olonisakin Biography|url=https://www.biyografya.com/en/biographies/funmi-olonisakin-5e439e37|website=Biyografya|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> chẹnẹ [[British Nigerian]] scholar, ajuja koji abobulẹ kpai ẹnẹ kia akonẹ ẹñwu ki ukọlọ ñwu kperu agoji, udie, urẹdọ, kpai ukọchẹ iyanyi agbagba amonẹ.<ref name="AFFOlonisakin">{{cite web|title=Funmi (Oluwafunmilayo) Olonisakin|url=https://www.africanfeministforum.com/funmi-oluwafunmilayo-olonisakin/|website=African Feminist Forum|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref> i che prọfẹsọ yi [[King’s College London]] manyi prọfẹsọ ọkwu yi [[University of Pretoria]].<ref name="KCLViceDeanIntl">{{cite web|title=Funmi Olonisakin|url=https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/funmi-olonisakin|website=King’s College London|access-date=30 December 2025}}</ref> I chẹnẹ ki du [[African Leadership Centre]] (ALC) nyanọ kpai añ'ọna ọmọ kw'ubi, ugbo ki a du eju go abo ichẹ African scholars ki a na wa, am'achukọlọ kpai am'agboji.<ref name="CODESRIAOlonisakin">{{cite web|title=Funmi Olonisakin|url=https://codesria.org/funmi-olonisakin/|website=CODESRIA|access-date=29 December 2025}}</ref><ref name="Carnegie">{{cite web|title=Cultivating 'Home-Grown' Security and Development Expertise is Aim of African Leadership Centre|url=https://www.carnegie.org/news/articles/cultivating-home-grown-security-and-development-expertise-is-aim-of-african-leadership-centre/|website=Carnegie Corporation of New York|date=24 June 2010|access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref> Efu ọdọ 2018, Olonisakin kọla yi King’s College London efu uja ku che todu ma lo ñwu nyanẹ, i jẹñwu chonobulẹ dudu ejodudu manyi prọfẹsọ onobulẹ ki che abalẹ.<ref name="CODESRIAOlonisakin" /><ref name="AfricanRadioOlonisakin2018">{{cite web|title=First black woman professor at King's College delivers inaugural lecture|url=https://alcafricanradio.com/index.php/2018/07/20/first-black-woman-professor-at-kings-college-delivers-inaugural-lecture-by-desmond-davies-gna/|website=ALC African Radio (Ghana News Agency)|author=Desmond Davies|date=20 July 2018|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref><ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018">{{cite web|title=First Black Woman Professor At King's College Delivers Inaugural Lecture|url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/869728/first-black-woman-professor-at-kings-college-delivers-inaug.html|website=ModernGhana|author=GNA|date=21 July 2018|access-date=30 December 2025}}</ref> Olonisakin che arọnẹ agboji (Principal) kwi International Affairs yi King’s College London abajọ-i.<ref name="CODESRIAOlonisakin" /> == Ukọchẹ == Ma bi Olonisakin efu South London ñwu attah kpai Iye ki kwi Naijiria.<ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" />I nẹ ọtakada [[Bachelor of Science]] degree ñwu efu [[Political science|Political Science]] kwi [[University Of Ile-Ife]], [[Nigeria]] efu ọdọ 1984.<ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" /> I kpoji [[master's degree|master degree]] ñwu efu [[War studies|War Studies]] efu ọdọ 1990 manyi i nẹ [[PhD]] efu War Studies yi King’s College London efu ọdọ 1996.<ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" /> == Ojima kpai ejuma == .Efu ọdọ 2018, Olonisakin kọla yi King’s College London efu uja ku che todu ma lo ñwu nyanẹ, i jẹñwu chonobulẹ dudu ejodudu manyi prọfẹdọ onobulẹ ki che abalẹ.<ref name="CODESRIAOlonisakin" /><ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" /> I gba ọtakada ejuma efu unyi ukọchẹ lefu uta ki ta kpai ama, manyi ujọ [[Andrew Mellon Foundation]] manyi ujọ abo [[Geneva Centre for Security Policy]] (GCSP).<ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" /><ref name="ACCORDOlonisakin">{{cite web|title=Funmi Olonisakin – ACCORD|url=https://www.accord.org.za/people/funmi-olonisakin/|website=ACCORD|access-date=30 December 2025}}</ref> Ma ma Olonisakin lefu uta ki ta ugbọda kpai abo [[Powerlist]], ki jẹ ñwu ẹñwu k'abo African manyi African-Caribbean heritage efu United Kingdom gba ny'ọgba. I dufu efu ọtakada ku ma kọ ọdọ 2019, ọdọ 2020, manyi ọdọ 2021.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lavender|first=Jane|title=Lewis Hamilton ends incredible year top of influential Black Powerlist 2021|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/black-power-list-2021-lewis-23017308|work=Daily Mirror|date=17 November 2020|access-date=19 January 2021|language=en}}</ref> Efu ọdọ 2022, University of Pretoria du Ọtakada degree eyi Doctor of Philosophy ([[honoris causa]]) ñwu Olonisakin todu ku ma li ukọlọ ki che todu ki urẹdọ, ude kpai uja-ọkpakpa ki dẹ ojanẹ Africa ki gboji de agbagba abobulẹ kpai am'agbadufu.<ref name="KCLViceDeanIntl" /> == Ami ọtakada ki che dufu == === Ami ọtakada === * ''Militancy and Violence in West Africa: Religion, Politics and Radicalization'', ed.James Gow, Funmi Olonisakin & Ernst Dijxhoorn. London: Routledge, 2013. {{ISBN|9780415821377}} * ''Women and Security Governance in Africa'', ed. Funmi Olonisakin & [[Awino Okech]]. Oxford: Pambazuka Press, 2011. {{ISBN|9781906387891}} * ''Women, Peace and Security: Translating Policy into Practice'', ed. Funmi Olonisakin, Karen Barnes & Eka Ikpe. London: Routledge,2011. {{ISBN|9780415587976}} * ''Security Sector Transformation in Africa'', ed. Alan Bryden & Funmi Olonisakin. Munster: Lit Verlag, 2010. {{ISBN|9783643800718}} * ''The Challenges of Security Sector Governance in West Africa'', ed. Alan Bryden, Boubacar Ndiaye & Funmi Olonisakin. Munster: Lit Verlag, 2008. {{ISBN|9783037350218}} * ''Peacekeeping in Sierra Leone: The Story of UNAMSIL''. Boulder and London: Lynne Reinner, 2008. {{ISBN|9781588265203}} * ''Global Development and Human Security'', ed. Robert Picciotto, Funmi Olonisakin & Michael ClarkeNew Brunswick and London: Transaction Publishers, 2007. {{ISBN|9781412811484}} * ''A Handbook of Security Sector Governance in Africa'', ed. Nicole Ball & Kayode Fayemi. London: Centre for Democracy and Development, 2004. * ''Reinventing Peacekeeping in Africa: Conceptual and Legal Issues in the ECOMOG Operations''. The Hague: Kluwer Law International, 2000. {{ISBN|9789041113214}} * ''Engaging Sierra Leone''. London: Centre for Democracy and Development, 2000. {{ISBN|9781902296081}} * ''Peacekeepers, Politicians and Warlords'', by Abiodun Alao, Funmi Olonisakin & John Mackinlay Tokyo: United Nations University Press, 1999. {{ISBN|9789280810318}} == Go gẹ == * [[Cynthia Chigwenya]] – Zimbabwean political researcher and pracademic * [[Njoki Wamai]] – Kenyan political scientist and scholar of peace and security in Africa * [[Awino Okech]] – Professor of Feminist and Security Studies at SOAS, University of London * [[Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi]] – Nigerian feminist activist, writer, and co-founder of the African Women's Development Fund * [[Eka Ikpe]] – Nigerian development economist and Director of the African Leadership Centre at King's College London * [[Toyin Ajao]] – Nigerian scholar and founder of Ìmọ́lẹ̀ of Afrika Centre, focused on restorative healing of intergenerational trauma * [[Fatima Akilu]] – Nigerian psychologist and director of the Neem Foundation, focused on mental health and countering violent extremism == Ẹtẹ ñwu == {{reflist|30em}} == External links == * [http://www.kcl.ac.uk/index.aspx/ King's College London] * [http://www.africanleadershipcentre.org/ African Leadership Centre] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20160518133206/http://africansecuritynetwork.org/site/ African Security Sector Network] {{Authority control}} 10m8fsqpitgxshqh9uemylqmiag7zno 40187 40186 2026-04-16T03:00:56Z Charipearl 51 40187 wikitext text/x-wiki {{short description|British-Nigerian scholar (born 1965)}}{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}{{Infobox person|name=Funmi Olonisakin|image=Funmi Olonisakin 2025.jpg|alt=|caption=Olonisakin in Abuja at the ECOWAS 50th Anniversary, 2025|birth_name=<!-- only use if different from name -->|birth_date={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1965|02|08}}|death_date=<!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{Death-date and age|death date†|birth date†}} -->|death_place=|citizenship=[[British Nigerian]]|education=[[PhD]]|alma_mater=[[University of Ife]]<br />[[Obafemi Awolowo University]]<br />[[King's College London]]|occupation=[[Lecturer]], [[Researcher]]|title=Vice President/Principal (International) of King's College London|known_for=[[Peace]], [[Security studies|security]] and [[leadership]] scholarship|website={{URL|http://funmiolonisakin.com}}}}'''Funmi Olonisakin''' (ku ma bi ọjọ ẹkẹjọ efu ochu eji efu ọdọ 1965)<ref>{{cite web|title=Funmi Olonisakin Biography|url=https://www.biyografya.com/en/biographies/funmi-olonisakin-5e439e37|website=Biyografya|access-date=28 October 2025}}</ref> chẹnẹ [[British Nigerian]] scholar, ajuja koji abobulẹ kpai ẹnẹ kia akonẹ ẹñwu ki ukọlọ ñwu kperu agoji, udie, urẹdọ, kpai ukọchẹ iyanyi agbagba amonẹ.<ref name="AFFOlonisakin">{{cite web|title=Funmi (Oluwafunmilayo) Olonisakin|url=https://www.africanfeministforum.com/funmi-oluwafunmilayo-olonisakin/|website=African Feminist Forum|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref> i che prọfẹsọ yi [[King’s College London]] manyi prọfẹsọ ọkwu yi [[University of Pretoria]].<ref name="KCLViceDeanIntl">{{cite web|title=Funmi Olonisakin|url=https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/funmi-olonisakin|website=King’s College London|access-date=30 December 2025}}</ref> I chẹnẹ ki du [[African Leadership Centre]] (ALC) nyanọ kpai añ'ọna ọmọ kw'ubi, ugbo ki a du eju go abo ichẹ African scholars ki a na wa, am'achukọlọ kpai am'agboji.<ref name="CODESRIAOlonisakin">{{cite web|title=Funmi Olonisakin|url=https://codesria.org/funmi-olonisakin/|website=CODESRIA|access-date=29 December 2025}}</ref><ref name="Carnegie">{{cite web|title=Cultivating 'Home-Grown' Security and Development Expertise is Aim of African Leadership Centre|url=https://www.carnegie.org/news/articles/cultivating-home-grown-security-and-development-expertise-is-aim-of-african-leadership-centre/|website=Carnegie Corporation of New York|date=24 June 2010|access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref> Efu ọdọ 2018, Olonisakin kọla yi King’s College London efu uja ku che todu ma lo ñwu nyanẹ, i jẹñwu chonobulẹ dudu ejodudu manyi prọfẹsọ onobulẹ ki che abalẹ.<ref name="CODESRIAOlonisakin" /><ref name="AfricanRadioOlonisakin2018">{{cite web|title=First black woman professor at King's College delivers inaugural lecture|url=https://alcafricanradio.com/index.php/2018/07/20/first-black-woman-professor-at-kings-college-delivers-inaugural-lecture-by-desmond-davies-gna/|website=ALC African Radio (Ghana News Agency)|author=Desmond Davies|date=20 July 2018|access-date=2025-12-29}}</ref><ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018">{{cite web|title=First Black Woman Professor At King's College Delivers Inaugural Lecture|url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/869728/first-black-woman-professor-at-kings-college-delivers-inaug.html|website=ModernGhana|author=GNA|date=21 July 2018|access-date=30 December 2025}}</ref> Olonisakin che arọnẹ agboji (Principal) kwi International Affairs yi King’s College London abajọ-i.<ref name="CODESRIAOlonisakin" /> == Ukọchẹ == Ma bi Olonisakin efu South London ñwu attah kpai Iye ki kwi Naijiria.<ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" />I nẹ ọtakada [[Bachelor of Science]] degree ñwu efu [[Political science|Political Science]] kwi [[University Of Ile-Ife]], [[Nigeria]] efu ọdọ 1984.<ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" /> I kpoji [[master's degree|master degree]] ñwu efu [[War studies|War Studies]] efu ọdọ 1990 manyi i nẹ [[PhD]] efu War Studies yi King’s College London efu ọdọ 1996.<ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" /> == Ojima kpai ejuma == .Efu ọdọ 2018, Olonisakin kọla yi King’s College London efu uja ku che todu ma lo ñwu nyanẹ, i jẹñwu chonobulẹ dudu ejodudu manyi prọfẹdọ onobulẹ ki che abalẹ.<ref name="CODESRIAOlonisakin" /><ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" /> I gba ọtakada ejuma efu unyi ukọchẹ lefu uta ki ta kpai ama, manyi ujọ [[Andrew Mellon Foundation]] manyi ujọ abo [[Geneva Centre for Security Policy]] (GCSP).<ref name="ModernGhanaOlonisakin2018" /><ref name="ACCORDOlonisakin">{{cite web|title=Funmi Olonisakin – ACCORD|url=https://www.accord.org.za/people/funmi-olonisakin/|website=ACCORD|access-date=30 December 2025}}</ref> Ma ma Olonisakin lefu uta ki ta ugbọda kpai abo [[Powerlist]], ki jẹ ñwu ẹñwu k'abo African manyi African-Caribbean heritage efu United Kingdom gba ny'ọgba. I dufu efu ọtakada ku ma kọ ọdọ 2019, ọdọ 2020, manyi ọdọ 2021.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lavender|first=Jane|title=Lewis Hamilton ends incredible year top of influential Black Powerlist 2021|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/black-power-list-2021-lewis-23017308|work=Daily Mirror|date=17 November 2020|access-date=19 January 2021|language=en}}</ref> Efu ọdọ 2022, University of Pretoria du Ọtakada degree eyi Doctor of Philosophy ([[honoris causa]]) ñwu Olonisakin todu ku ma li ukọlọ ki che todu ki urẹdọ, ude kpai uja-ọkpakpa ki dẹ ojanẹ Africa ki gboji de agbagba abobulẹ kpai am'agbadufu.<ref name="KCLViceDeanIntl" /> == Ami ọtakada ki che dufu == === Ami ọtakada === * ''Militancy and Violence in West Africa: Religion, Politics and Radicalization'', ed.James Gow, Funmi Olonisakin & Ernst Dijxhoorn. London: Routledge, 2013. {{ISBN|9780415821377}} * ''Women and Security Governance in Africa'', ed. Funmi Olonisakin & [[Awino Okech]]. Oxford: Pambazuka Press, 2011. {{ISBN|9781906387891}} * ''Women, Peace and Security: Translating Policy into Practice'', ed. Funmi Olonisakin, Karen Barnes & Eka Ikpe. London: Routledge,2011. {{ISBN|9780415587976}} * ''Security Sector Transformation in Africa'', ed. Alan Bryden & Funmi Olonisakin. Munster: Lit Verlag, 2010. {{ISBN|9783643800718}} * ''The Challenges of Security Sector Governance in West Africa'', ed. Alan Bryden, Boubacar Ndiaye & Funmi Olonisakin. Munster: Lit Verlag, 2008. {{ISBN|9783037350218}} * ''Peacekeeping in Sierra Leone: The Story of UNAMSIL''. Boulder and London: Lynne Reinner, 2008. {{ISBN|9781588265203}} * ''Global Development and Human Security'', ed. Robert Picciotto, Funmi Olonisakin & Michael ClarkeNew Brunswick and London: Transaction Publishers, 2007. {{ISBN|9781412811484}} * ''A Handbook of Security Sector Governance in Africa'', ed. Nicole Ball & Kayode Fayemi. London: Centre for Democracy and Development, 2004. * ''Reinventing Peacekeeping in Africa: Conceptual and Legal Issues in the ECOMOG Operations''. The Hague: Kluwer Law International, 2000. {{ISBN|9789041113214}} * ''Engaging Sierra Leone''. London: Centre for Democracy and Development, 2000. {{ISBN|9781902296081}} * ''Peacekeepers, Politicians and Warlords'', by Abiodun Alao, Funmi Olonisakin & John Mackinlay Tokyo: United Nations University Press, 1999. {{ISBN|9789280810318}} == Go gẹ == * [[Cynthia Chigwenya]] – Zimbabwean political researcher and pracademic * [[Njoki Wamai]] – Kenyan political scientist and scholar of peace and security in Africa * [[Awino Okech]] – Professor of Feminist and Security Studies at SOAS, University of London * [[Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi]] – Nigerian feminist activist, writer, and co-founder of the African Women's Development Fund * [[Eka Ikpe]] – Nigerian development economist and Director of the African Leadership Centre at King's College London * [[Toyin Ajao]] – Nigerian scholar and founder of Ìmọ́lẹ̀ of Afrika Centre, focused on restorative healing of intergenerational trauma * [[Fatima Akilu]] – Nigerian psychologist and director of the Neem Foundation, focused on mental health and countering violent extremism == Ẹtẹ ñwu == {{reflist|30em}} == Ugbo ki manyi == * [http://www.kcl.ac.uk/index.aspx/ King's College London] * [http://www.africanleadershipcentre.org/ African Leadership Centre] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20160518133206/http://africansecuritynetwork.org/site/ African Security Sector Network] {{Authority control}} ro9fbwtut85i3rudd7snp3lhod240ug