Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON, a Nigerian politician, lawyer, and present minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was born on December 13, 1967. From 2015 to 2023, he held the position of governor of Rivers State. He is an Ikwerre originating from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor, Rivers State.
Personal Information
| Date of Birth | 12 December 1967 (age 55) |
| Residence | Obio-Akpor, Rivers State, Nigeria |
| Political affiliation | Peoples Democratic Party |
| Partner | Eberechi Wike |
| Offspring | 3 |
| Academic Background | Master’s degree in Political and Administrative Studies |
| Alma mater | Rivers State University of Science and Technology (LL.B.) |
| Profession | PoliticianLawyer |
Wike’s Academic Pursuits
Prior to enrolling at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUT), Wike attended Government Secondary School Eneka in Obiakpor, Rivers State, where he completed his O’level assessments and subsequently enrolled in law school in 1997, acquiring a Bachelor of Laws from RSUT. He also obtained a Master of Arts in Political and Administrative Studies from RSUT.
Political Career
Wike acted as the two-term Executive Chairman of the Obio Akpor Local Government Area from 1999 to 2007.
In July 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him as the Minister of State for Education, replacing Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa’i. Wike was subsequently designated as the acting minister of education but did not conclude his term as he was campaigning for the governor’s role in Rivers State, leading to Viola Onwuliri’s appointment as his successor.
During the gubernatorial elections on April 11, Wike triumphed over Dakuku Peterside of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Tonye Princewill from the Labour Party to secure the governorship.
On Wednesday, April 3, 2019, INEC confirmed Nyesom Wike as the winner of the Rivers State gubernatorial elections after temporarily pausing the proceedings. He was sworn in at Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt on May 29, 2019, commencing his second term. In his address, he promised to focus on the interests of Rivers State.
In March 2022, Wike proclaimed his intention to run for the presidency of Nigeria on the PDP ticket ahead of the 2023 general elections. However, he lost in the People’s Democratic Party presidential primary held at the MKO ABIOLA National Stadium in Abuja on May 28 and 29, 2022, garnering 371 votes compared to 237 votes for Wike, who secured the position of first runner-up.
He was nominated, vetted, and endorsed by the senate before being appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the minister of FCT on August 16, 2023.
Wike’s Appointment and Ministerial Role
Nyesom Wike was among 27 ministerial candidates that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented to the 10th Nigerian Senate on July 27, 2023. He testified before the Senate on July 31, 2023, assuring that President Tinubu would not regret his decision to appoint him as a minister in his administration.
Wike’s Initiatives
Nyesom Wike rendered primary and secondary education free, aligning with his educational reform objectives. He disclosed this during a meeting at the government house in Port Harcourt on Monday, June 24, 2019. This initiative received mixed reactions, with approval from parents and former headmasters in the state. Despite various challenges, Wike’s government maintained its stance.
In 2019, Wike declared free registration for local state residents participating in the annual JAMB examination through the State Ministry of Education.
In 2022, he enacted legislation reinforcing women’s rights to inherit property and encouraged women to assert their rights, emphasizing the importance of not fearing to do so.
Wike’s Developments
During his second term as governor, he initiated the construction of three significant flyovers in Port Harcourt. These flyovers are located at Garrison, Rumoukoro, and Artillery.
