Moro Abba Patrick

Patrick Abba Moro (; born 3 July 1956) is a Nigerian educational administrator, politician, and former Minister of the Federal Ministry of Interior. He is currently the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

In 2019, he was elected into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, replacing David Mark, a two-term Senate President (6th and 7th Assembly) and one of the longest-serving Senators in Nigeria.

Early life: Moro was born on 3 July 1956 in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. He had his primary education at LGEA Special Primary School, Odessassa between 1963 and 1969. He later attended Emmanuel Secondary School at Ugbokolo from 1969 to 1974 before proceeding to Federal Government College, Kano, where he obtained a Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1975. He then studied at the University of Lagos, earning a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Political Science in 1980 and a Master of Science (M.Sc) degree in Public Administration in 1983.

Academic career: Moro began his academic career at Benue State Polytechnic as a lecturer, serving as head of the Department of General Studies for one year (1991–1992) and head of the Department of Public Administration for four years (1992–1996). He later served as Dean of Studies in the School of Business and Administration Studies for two years (1994–1996). He was also elected Chairman of the Benue State Polytechnic chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria for four years (1980–1984) before becoming the National President of Polytechnic Senior Staff Association of Nigeria in 1986.

Political career: Moro began his political career as elected Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Council in 1998. As a PDP candidate, he contested the April 2007 Benue state governorship election but lost to the opposition. In July 2011, he was appointed as Honorable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Interior by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Moro is currently facing trials for alleged fraud related to a botched recruitment drive that resulted in a stampede causing 20 deaths in 2014. He has pleaded not guilty to his role in a $2.5 million (£1.8 million) fraud involving missing application fees.