Ohuabunwa Mao Arukwe

Mao Arukwe Ohuabunwa (born 24 May 1957) is a Nigerian politician, businessman and a former Senator who represented Abia North Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly having served in the 4th and 5th National Assembly as Member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia constituency of Abia State under the Peoples Democratic Party between 1999 and 2007.

Truly, he has been able to make a mark on the political landscape of his constituency in particular and in Nigeria. Pitching his camp with the UNCP in 1997, he contested for and was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1998, but the electoral process was truncated. However, his passion for public service made him contest for the same position as a member of the PDP in 1999 which he also won. Responsive and dedicated, he became the Deputy House Leader of the lower chamber and he was also elected as the leader of the South East caucus in the National Assembly.

During his stay in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007, the dynamic lawmaker who was one of the strong voices in the parliament sponsored many bills which were passed into laws. Respected by his peers for his sincerity and commitment to nation-building, he was nominated into the ECOWAS Parliament where he served as the Chairman for Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Security of the Sub-regional parliament from 2001 to 2003 and was the Treasurer from 2004 to 2007. He was also Chairman of NEPAD from 2015 to 2019.

Mao Arukwe Ohuabunwa was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on 24 May 1957, to parents who were businesspeople from Atani, a town in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State. He attended Oro-evo State School for primary education and Enitona High School, Borokiri for senior school education.

He obtained an HND and BTech in Applied Biology and Microbiology from Rivers State University of Science and Technology. He also earned a PGD and MSc in Public Administration and Human Resources Management from Enugu State University of Science and Technology. Later, he pursued a PhD in Political Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

In 1998, after achieving success in his business ventures, he transitioned into politics. As a Senator, he contested for a seat in the Nigerian House of Representatives under the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) and won, though the process was truncated. He later ran again under the PDP in 1999, winning the Arochukwu/Ohafia constituency and becoming the Deputy House Leader. He contested for Abia North in the Nigerian Senate in 2015, winning and also winning the March 6, 2016 re-run after the Appeal Court annulled his initial victory.

Senator Mao Ohuabunwa is the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the 17th Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt, an appointment held since July 2024. He holds several prestigious awards, including the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM), the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS), and is a Knight of Saint Christopher of the Anglican Communion (KSC). He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (FNISLT) and the National Animal Production Research Institute (FNAPRI).

He holds traditional titles such as the Onu Nekwuru Oha Ndigbo. Mao was a House Captain of Anna House and President of both the Debating Club and the Students’ Christian Movement. He was also a skilled athlete, representing his school in various competitions. During his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Gongola State, he worked as a lecturer at Federal Polytechnic Yola before leaving academia to establish St. Masunn Medical Laboratories Ltd., a private diagnostic center in Yola. He later founded Manlab Equipment Limited, serving as its importation and distribution arm.

Apart from his business ventures, Mao worked at medical laboratories of the General Hospital, Port Harcourt, and Shell Petroleum Development Company Medicals in Port Harcourt. He served as the Public Relations Officer of Gongola State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture and was the first Public Relations Officer of the Anglican Communion, Yola Diocese. Mao was married to Lady Barr. Nimi Faith Ohuabunwa, with whom he had children. She died on 22 July 2023. Mao is the younger brother of Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa.