Usani Usani Uguru

Usani Uguru Usani, born on 27 January 1961 in Nko, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, is a Nigerian pastor, lecturer, and politician. He studied at the University of Jos and Rivers State University of Science and Technology, served as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, and ran in 2023 with Nsan Arit Bassey as his running mate.

During his NYSC year, he taught at Government Science Secondary School, Kagara, in Rafi LGA of Niger State. After service, he taught from August 1988 to January 1992 at Community Secondary School, Iko-Esai, and Secondary School, Adim, both in Cross River State. From February 1992 to November 1993, he worked in the Office of the Governor of Cross River State as Personal Assistant to Governor Clement Ebri on speech writing and policy analysis, while also serving as Secretary of the SAP Relief Committee to cushion Structural Adjustment Programme effects and handling legislative liaison duties. In the same period, he was appointed Sole Administrator of the Nigerian Legion, Cross River State Command, and he later served as Director of Oban (Nigeria) Rubber and Palm Estates Limited between 1994 and 1995.

In July 1995, he became Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development under Military Administrator Gregory Agboneni, and in November 1995 his portfolio was expanded to include Information. In February 1997, after cabinet reconstitution, he was reappointed Commissioner for Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development under Military Administrator Umar Farouk Ahmed, serving to 1999 after service with Christopher Osondu, the state's last military administrator. He later served on the Governing Board of the Nigerian Copyrights Commission from January 2001 to January 2004, and contested for Cross River governor three times before 2023: in 2003 (National Democrats, lost to Donald Duke), in 2012 (ACN, lost to Liyel Imoke), and in 2015 (APC).