Uche Ekwunife

Uche Lilian Ekwunife (née Ogude) is a prominent Nigerian politician and businesswoman who has served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate of Nigeria. She is recognized as one of the most influential female political figures from the South-East region of Nigeria. **Early Life and Education** Uche Ekwunife was born on January 12, 1970, in Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. She is of Igbo descent. Ekwunife received her early education in Anambra State. For her tertiary education, she attended the University of Calabar, Cross River State, where she earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Business Administration. She furthered her academic pursuits by obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. **Career Progression and Major Achievements** Ekwunife’s professional career began in the banking sector, where she worked for several major Nigerian financial institutions, including the erstwhile Equity Bank of Nigeria (now defunct) and Standard Trust Bank (now United Bank for Africa, UBA). She rose to the position of Regional Manager before venturing into politics. Her political career began in 2007 when she successfully contested and was elected to the Federal House of Representatives, representing the Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal Constituency of Anambra State. She was re-elected for a second term in 2011. During her time in the House of Representatives, Ekwunife served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment. In 2015, Ekwunife moved to the Senate, winning the election to represent the Anambra Central Senatorial District. Her victory was initially nullified by the Court of Appeal in December 2015, leading to a period of political contention. She was re-elected to the Senate in the 2019 general elections, and during this tenure, she served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology. **Notable Works and Political Activity** Ekwunife has been noted for her consistent advocacy for gender inclusion and empowerment, as well as her focus on infrastructure development within her constituency. She is known for her political resilience, having successfully navigated multiple political parties throughout her career, including the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the All Progressives Congress (APC), although she primarily operated under the umbrella of the PDP for her Senatorial tenures. A notable political move was her gubernatorial aspiration. She contested for the governorship of Anambra State on multiple occasions, showcasing her ambition for executive leadership in the state. Her campaign emphasized good governance, security, and economic revitalization. **Current Status** Uche Ekwunife is currently regarded as a seasoned politician and leader in Anambra State politics. Following her time in the Senate, she remains an influential voice within her political party and in national political discourse, often commenting on matters of state and national importance.