Ekwunife Lilian Uche

Uche Lilian Ekwunife (née Ogudebe, born December 12, 1970) is a Nigerian politician representing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and is a former Senator for Anambra Central Senatorial District.

She is known for her active role as one of the most prominent female senators in the Nigerian Senate.

Early life and education: Ekwunife was born in Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra State, to Emmanuel and Lucy Ogudebe. She attended the University of Calabar, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Accounting in 1993. She later earned an MBA from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 2002. Previously, she worked in banking, reaching the position of area manager. She is married to businessman Chief Larry Ekwunife and has children.

Political career: Ekwunife contested for Anambra governorship twice unsuccessfully. She was elected as a lower house representative in 2007 for Anambra’s Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia constituency. She was one of 11 women elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011, with a notable presence of women in the lower house at that time. Other women elected included Juliet Akano, Mulikat Adeola-Akande, Abike Dabiri, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and others.

In 2015, she was elected to the Nigerian Senate but faced a challenge after defecting to another party, leading to her seat being declared vacant. She later won the 2019 Anambra State senatorial election under the PDP, defeating Victor Umeh, who sought re-election.