Francis Nwifuru

Francis Ogbonna Erishi Nwifuru is a prominent Nigerian politician, lawyer, entrepreneur, and administrator who currently serves as the Governor of Ebonyi State. He was born on February 25, 1975, in Oferekpe Agbaja, Izzi, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, into a polygamous family of Chief and Mrs. Nwifuru Nwamkpu. Nwifuru began his education at Oferekpe Agbaja Community Primary School in 1991 and continued at Community Secondary School, Nwofe Agbaja, which he attended until 1999. He later enrolled at Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, where he studied Building Technology and Wood Work. Expanding his academic portfolio, Nwifuru attained a Master’s degree in Procurement, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management from Salford University, Manchester, United Kingdom, in June 2021. Nwifuru’s political career is marked by significant progression within the Ebonyi State government. He represented the Izzi West constituency at the Ebonyi State legislature from 2011 to 2023. During the 4th Ebonyi State House of Assembly (2011–2015), he served as the Deputy Chief Whip and chaired the House Committee on Lands, Survey, Urban Development, and Environment. His influence grew as he was elected Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, a position he held from June 9, 2015, until May 29, 2023. In 2020, he was also elected as the National Vice-Chairman of the South East Conference of State Legislatures of Nigeria. As the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nwifuru contested and won the 2023 Ebonyi gubernatorial election, garnering 199,131 votes across the state's 13 local governments. He was subsequently sworn into office as the 6th Governor of Ebonyi State on May 29, 2023, succeeding Dave Umahi. His deputy is Patricia Obila. As of his current status, Francis Nwifuru is the incumbent Governor of Ebonyi State.