Dafinone Ede Omueya

Ede Dafinone (born 10 April 1962) is a Nigerian chartered accountant, politician, and philanthropist, notable for his contributions in the field of finance, involvement in Nigerian politics, and charitable activities. He is the senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District at the 10th National Assembly.

Dafinone comes from the Dafinone family, which holds the Guinness World Record for the highest number of members in the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). His father, David Omueya Dafinone, was Senator for the old Bendel South in the second republic. Dafinone is a prominent figure in the Nigerian financial sector and has played an active role in shaping Nigeria's business landscape.

Ede Dafinone was born to family of Late Chief (Senator) David Dafinone and Cynthia Dafinone. His siblings include Igho Omueya Dafinone, Duvie Omueya Dafinone, Daphne Omueya Dafinone, and Joy Omueya Dafinone. They all qualified as members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales between 1986 and 1999. Their father had earlier become a member of the institute in 1963.

Dafinone received his education from various institutions, spanning both Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He began his academic journey at Corona School in Apapa, Lagos State, from 1968 to 1973, earning his first school leaving certificate. Following that, he pursued his secondary education at Kings College Lagos, from 1973 to 1978. Dafinone then ventured abroad to Rugby School in Warwickshire, United Kingdom, where he studied from 1978 to 1980. Continuing his quest for knowledge, Dafinone enrolled at the Victoria University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, where he pursued his undergraduate studies from 1980 to 1983 and earned a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Economics. After completing his degree, he furthered his educational pursuits at the University of Exeter, also in the UK, bagging a Master of Arts in Economics in 1984.

Dafinone's dedication to continuous learning extended to the business realm as well. He attended the Lagos Business School in Lagos, Nigeria, enhancing his knowledge in the field of business and management. He is a Fellow in both the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), which were conferred upon him in 2000. Additionally, he is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, a distinction he has held since 1991.

Ede Dafinone has a career history spanning multiple sectors. He began his professional journey at Touche Ross & Co Chartered Accountants in London, where he gained experience from 1984 to 1988. Following this, he joined Crowe Dafinone, Chartered Accountants in Lagos in 1989. Over the years, he progressed within the firm, becoming a Partner in 1997 and later assuming the role of Deputy Managing Partner from 2007 to the present. In addition to his role as a chartered accountant, Dafinone has held significant directorship positions in sectors including Sapele Petroleum Limited, Ceddi Corporation Limited, and Sapele Integrated Industries Limited.

Dafinone has held various appointments in both the private and public sectors. Notable roles include serving as a Director of NEXIM Bank, Chairman of the Members of the Advisory Board for Africa ICAEW, Council Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) representing Africa, and Board member of the National Film and Video Censors Board. He has also served as the Chairperson of the Manufacturer's Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group (MAN-EPG). Ede Dafinone is the Chairman, National Executive Council of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation.

He is a former chairman of the Manufactures Association of Nigeria Export Group, and Board of Trustee, Guild of Fine Artists of Nigeria. Dafinone has been actively involved in politics, playing a significant role in various political parties and elections. In 1998, Dafinone, alongside his late father, Chief Senator David Dafinone, became a founding member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State. In 2006, he contested the Delta Central Senatorial PDP primaries, and in 2013, he participated in the Delta Central Senatorial bye-elections as the Senatorial Candidate of the Democratic People's Party (DPP). Since 2014, Dafinone has been a staunch member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Since 2014, he has been a senator for Delta Central. On 1 November 2023, the Appeal Court dismissed the judgment of the National Assembly Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba and upheld his election as the duly elected senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District. Dafinone serves as Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance and Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content.

He has introduced several bills and motions, including bills for the establishment of Federal Universities in Isiokolo, Orerokpe, and Ughelli, a bill to alter the Petroleum Training Institute Act, and amendments to the Constitution to address issues like derivation percentage, local government independence, and judiciary unbundling. He has also championed motions on railway extension, anti-open grazing, gas flaring, road infrastructure, and community land trust initiatives.

Dafinone serves as a Trustee of the Okpe Union and holds the position of Chairman of the Sapele Okpe Community Land Trust Association, overseeing land-related matters. He has also served as the Vice-Chairman of the Urhobo Progress Union - Management Board. In recognition of his contributions, Dafinone was honored with the traditional title of Ede of Okpe Kingdom.

The Dafinone Foundation engages in social and community outreach, focusing on education, economic empowerment, and skills development. The foundation provides scholarships of all categories to Deltans, supporting individuals from primary school to postgraduate education. It offers micro-credit loans to women and youths in MSMEs, fostering entrepreneurship. The foundation operates a Skill Acquisition Centre, training over 5,000 individuals in skills like tailoring, hairdressing, welding, and computer education. The foundation employs over 700 individuals through Sapele Integrated Industries Ltd., contributing to local economic growth.