Godswill Akpabio is the President of the Nigerian Senate, elected on 13 June 2023. A lawyer and former governor of Akwa Ibom State, he has also served as Senate Minority Leader and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. This neutral biography covers his early life, career and political record, with allegations described as allegations.
Editorial note: last checked on 25 October 2026. See also our profile of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Godswill Akpabio at a glance
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 December 1962, Ukana, Essien Udim, Akwa Ibom State |
| Parents | Chief Obot Akpabio and Lucy Obot Akpabio |
| Education | Federal Government College, Port Harcourt; University of Calabar (Law) |
| Career | Lawyer; managing director of EMIS Telecoms; state commissioner |
| Offices | Governor (2007 to 2015); Senator; Senate Minority Leader (2015 to 2018); Minister of Niger Delta Affairs (2019 to 2022); Senate President (since 2023) |
| Family | Married to Ekaette Unoma Akpabio; five children |
Early life and career
Akpabio lost his father early and was raised by his mother. After studying law at the University of Calabar he worked briefly as a teacher, then as an associate at a Lagos law firm, and became managing director of the telecoms company EMIS Telecoms by 2002. He served as Akwa Ibom’s commissioner for petroleum and natural resources from 2002.
Political career
He won the PDP governorship primary in 2006 and served as the third Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 29 May 2007 to 29 May 2015, winning re-election in 2011. He was elected Senator for Akwa Ibom North-West in 2015 and became Senate Minority Leader. In 2018 he moved from the PDP to the APC. After losing his 2019 Senate race, he served as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs from 21 August 2019 until 2022, when he left to seek the APC presidential nomination. He won the Senate seat in 2023 and was elected Senate President on 13 June 2023 with 63 votes to Abdulaziz Yari’s 46.
Allegations and disputes as reported
The EFCC has investigated allegations that more than 100 billion naira was diverted from Akwa Ibom State during his time as governor, and the sources we reviewed report that no charges have been filed. In 2020 members of the House of Representatives summoned him over alleged misappropriation connected to the Niger Delta Development Commission. These are allegations, not findings.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the President of the Senate of Nigeria?
Godswill Akpabio, elected on 13 June 2023.
Which state did Akpabio govern?
Akwa Ibom State, from 2007 to 2015.
Which parties has he belonged to?
The PDP until 2018, then the APC.
