Orji Chinedum Enyinnaya

Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji was born on 25 December 1970 to the family of Senator Theodore Orji and Chief Mrs. Odochi Orji in Ugba village, Ugba Autonomous Community, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.

He attended Ugba Community Primary School from 1976 to 1982 before proceeding to Government Secondary School, Owerri between 1982 and 1987. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Technology Owerri in 1996.

A philanthropist known for his Direct Touch Initiative, Orji has empowered many Abians—particularly youth and women—through skills acquisition and numerous community projects.

Before entering politics, he was a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (MNSE). His political career began when he represented Umuahia Central State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly from 2015 to 2019.

Elected as Majority Leader in 2015, he later became Speaker of the 7th Abia State House of Assembly on June 10, 2019, serving until June 10, 2023. He was a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Orji ran in the 2023 House of Representatives election for Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency but lost to Obi Aguocha of the Labour Party, polling 35,195 votes compared to Aguocha’s 48,199.

During his tenure as Speaker, he oversaw legislative reforms such as financial autonomy for the House of Assembly and passed bills like the Abia State Protection Agency Bill and Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act.

He joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2024 after criticizing PDP’s political shifts and losses in elections, focusing on grassroots mobilization under APC leadership.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigated Orji, his father Theodore, and brother Ogbonna for alleged corruption involving over ₦500 billion in public funds. Both were interrogated but later released on bail.