Board Member
Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, SAN, OFR
Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, SAN, OFR
Henry Odein Ajumogobia, SAN, is a distinguished Nigerian lawyer and public servant, born on June 29, 1956. Over the course of his career, he has held several prominent roles in both the legal profession and government, significantly impacting Nigeria’s energy sector, foreign affairs, and international relations.
Ajumogobia began his legal journey in 1983 when he co-founded the law firm Ajumogobia and Okeke with Christopher Nonyelum Okeke. His dedication to the legal profession earned him the prestigious Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title in 2003. That same year, he was appointed Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice for Rivers State. His legal career also saw him serving on various significant bodies, including the Council of Legal Education, the Nigerian Bar Association’s Executive Committee, and the Body of Benchers, demonstrating his influence and leadership within the legal community.
In 2007, Ajumogobia was appointed Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, marking the beginning of his impactful journey in public service. During this time, he also served as the head of Nigeria‘s delegation to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) until 2008. As Minister, Ajumogobia advocated for deregulating Nigeria‘s downstream oil sector, arguing that such a move would eliminate product shortages and reduce the heavy financial burden of fuel subsidies, which cost the country over ₦687 billion annually.
Between 2009 and 2010, Ajumogobia continued his work in Nigeria‘s energy sector, overseeing both petroleum and power sectors as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Supervising Minister for the Ministry of Power. He also represented Nigeria at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), playing a key role in shaping Nigeria’s energy policies on a global stage.
In April 2010, Ajumogobia was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, where he expanded his influence into international diplomacy. His tenure saw him become a member of Nigeria’s National Security Council and serve as President of the United Nations Security Council in 2010. Ajumogobia was instrumental in leading international negotiations, including co-chairing the political dialogue between the European Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Luxembourg and overseeing the International Contact Group on Guinea Bissau during the United Nations General Assembly.
Throughout his career, Ajumogobia has been deeply involved in various governmental bodies and initiatives, such as the National Economic Management Team, the National Privatisation Council, and the National Independent Power Programme. He also served as Chairman of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency, where he worked to advance sustainable growth in his home state.
Ajumogobia‘s legacy is defined by his unwavering commitment to Nigeria‘s development, domestically and globally. Whether advocating for reforms in the energy sector, representing Nigeria in key international forums, or shaping policy within the legal framework, Henry Odein Ajumogobia‘s career reflects a deep dedication to public service, legal excellence, and national progress.