Ortom Samuel Ioraer

Samuel Ioraer Ortom (; born 23 April 1961) is a Nigerian politician, businessman, administrator, and philanthropist. He served as Minister of State for Trade and Investments and Supervising Minister for Aviation in Nigeria during the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan in 2011. Ortom was initially elected governor of Benue State as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 but later defected to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He was re-elected as governor on 29 May 2019. His tenure ended on 29 May 2023, succeeded by Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia of the opposition party.

Ortom was born on 23 April 1961 in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. He attended St. John’s Primary School, Gboko from 1970, then St. Catherine’s Primary School, Makurdi from 1974, completing primary education in 1976. He enrolled at Idah Secondary Commercial College, Idah in 1976 but left after two years due to financial constraints caused by his father’s retirement in 1979. He became a professional driver and later obtained the General Certificate of Education and Diploma in Salesmanship.

Ortom enrolled at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, earning the Interim Joint Matriculation Board Certificate in 1995 and the Diploma in Journalism in 1998. He pursued further studies at Benue State University, obtaining an Advanced Diploma in Personnel Management in 2001 and a Master of Public Administration in 2004. He earned a Ph.D. in Public Administration through distance learning from the Commonwealth University, Belize, in 2006.

Ortom’s political career includes membership in multiple parties in Benue State, such as the National Centre Party of Nigeria (as State Publicity Secretary), the All People’s Party (as State Treasurer), and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) (as State Secretary and Deputy Chairman). He was Director of Operations for the PDP gubernatorial campaign in Benue State in 2007 and Director of Administration and Logistics for the Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign in 2011. Before his appointment as Minister of State, he served as the PDP National Auditor.