Uche Nnaji Nwakaibe is a businessman and Politician from Enugu State. He was the APC gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 election. He is presently the federation’s minister for Innovation Science and Technology.
This piece archived by ENigeria Newspapers gives a brief profile of Chief Uche Nnaji Nwakaibe.
Profile Summary
Name: Uche Nnaji Nwakaibe
State of origin: Enugu State,Nigeria.
Marital status: Married
Education: University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Religion: Christianity
Occupation: Businessman, Politician
Biography
Uche Nnaji was born in Akpugo Nkanu West LGA in Enugu State to Mr and Mrs Obed Nnaji as the eldest of four siblings.
He lost his father at an early age and his mother took over the responsibility of catering for her children alone.
Hon. Nnoli Nnaji representing Nkanu East and West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives is Uche Nnaji’s brother.
Uche Nnaji achieved all his academic qualifications in his hometown, Enugu.
He finished his primary education in the present Ziks Avenue primary school (previously Santa Maria Primary School) before enrolling in St. Patricks’s Secondary school, Emene where he had his West African Senior School Certificate. He had his tetiary education at University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Chief Uche Nnaji is married and has children.
Career
Being an Igbo born and widely knowned for their trade and enterprising spirit, Uche Nnaji ventured into business during his National Service when he worked at Jos International Brewery and NASCO Company.
While working with this establishments, Nnaji gathered various experiences and insights about the business world.
He made a business name for himself through procurement, distribution and installation of hospital consumables, sanitary wares amongst others to UNTH, ITUKU/OZALLA and this brought him to the Apex of firm in the mid 1980s when he established a CT scan laboratory
Political career
He began his political pursuit when he pioneered the formation of the People’s Democratic party (PDP) in Enugu State in 1980. He aimed for the Senatorial seat of Enugu East Senatorial zone but due to crisis in the party, he defected to the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1999 and was declared the party’s senatorial candidate.
This single act, brought Uche Nnaji political career to limelight as he emerged victorious in the senatorial polls when he defeated his oponent from the PDP.
Some public offices held by Uch Nnaji are; Member, Board of Directors Federal Capital Development Authority [FCDA], Chairman, Finance and General Purpose Committee FCDA, Member, Establishment Committee FCDA amongst others.
Uche Nnaji was the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress in the concluded 2023 general elections.
Some of his political accomplishments includes;
Won election as Senator, Enugu East Senatorial Zone 1999 (unconditionally relinquished the seat to HE Chief Jim Nwobodo).
Pioneer Member of PDP South East Zone, 1998.
Convener of PDP Enugu State, 1998.
Caucus Member of PDP Enugu State, 1998.
Member of PDP National Finance Committee & Poverty Alleviation, 1998.
Member of PPAC Sub Committee on Rural Development, 1999.
Caucus member UNCP, Enugu State, between1996 and 1998.
Financier of UNCP Enugu East Senatorial Zone, 1996-1998.
In August 2023, Nnaji was appointed by the President of Nigeria, His Excellency Ahmed Bola Tinubu to serve as the Minister of Innovation Science and Technology.
Net worth
Nnaji’s estimated networth is currently not available but will be updated in due time.
