Akpabio Godswill Obot

Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, born on 9 December 1962, is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who has served as the 15th President of the Nigerian Senate since 2023.

He first became a senator in 2015 for Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, lost in 2019 but won again in the 2023 elections under the APC banner.

Previously, he was Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015 and served as Minister for Niger Delta Affairs from 2019 until his resignation in June 2022 to seek re-election.

Raised by his mother after losing his father at a young age, Obot attended Methodist Primary School, Ukana, before studying at Federal Government College Port Harcourt and the University of Calabar where he earned a law degree.

His family background includes a Warrant Chief grandfather in Ikot Ekpene province and notable relatives such as Justice Nsima Akpabio, a senator in the Second Nigerian Republic.

A Christian of Catholic faith married to Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, founder of FLEI (Family Life Enhancement Initiative), Obot has four daughters and one son.

He began his career briefly as a teacher before joining Paul Usoro & Co., later becoming Managing Director of EMIS Telecoms Limited by 2002. As Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources (2002–2006), he also served in Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Lands/Housing.

In 2006, he ran for Akwa Ibom’s governorship as a PDP candidate, winning two terms (2007–2015) with the slogan ‘Let God’s will be done’.

After joining APC in 2018, he contested the 2023 Senate election, defeating Emmanuel Enoidem of the PDP and later became Senate President in June 2023 with 63 votes.

He faces allegations of corruption during his governorship, including accusations of diverting over ₦100 billion, though no charges have been filed. He has also received multiple honorary degrees and awards for governance.