Politicians are among the category of celebrities we have in Nigeria. While to many Nigerians they are far from performing well, their birthdays are still celebrated especially among the citizens they represent. Hence, in this episode of celebrity birthdays, we have top Nigerian politicians born in January. Check them out below:
- Dino Melaye
Dino Melaye was a member of the 8th National Assembly, representing Kogi West, and is one of Nigeria’s most controversial politicians. He was once a member of the Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu people’s house of representatives. He is well-known for his extravagant lifestyle and music. He was previously the Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT. Dino Melaye was born in Kano, Nigeria, on January 1, 1974, despite being a Kogi state native. He has been married twice, both of which ended in divorce owing to domestic violence claims. From both marriages, he has four children.
- Aminu Waziri Tambuwal
Tambuwal was elected governor of Sokoto State in Nigeria in the 2015 general elections and re-elected in the 2019 general elections. He was born on January 10, 1966 and studied law at Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, graduating in 1991 with an LLB (Hons) degree. In addition to serving as Nigeria’s 10th Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tambuwal also served as an honorable representative for the Tambuwal/Kebbe Federal Constituency in Sokoto State.
- Henry Seriake Dickson
Senator Henry Seriake Dickson is a lawyer and Nigerian politician. Henry Seriake Dickson was born in Toru-Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, on January 28, 1966. He is a Tarakiri Kingdom descendant of King Kpadia’s Royal House. In the 9th National Assembly, he represents Bayelsa – West as a Senator. From 14 February 2012 to 14 February 2020, he served as Governor of Bayelsa State in southern Nigeria. From 2007 to 2012, he served in the House of Representatives.
- Hadiza Bala Usman
Hadiza Bala Usman who was born on the 2nd of January 1976 is a Nigerian politician who formerly served as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority from 2016 to 2021. The government removed her as managing director of the Nigerian Port Authority due to 44 billion Naira in unremitted revenue and 88 billion Naira in administrative expenses. She formerly served as the Governor of Kaduna State’s chief of staff from 2015 to 2016. She is a co-founder of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign and a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
- Yul Edochie
Born on January 7th 1982, Yul Edochie is a Nigerian actor. He is the son of Nigerian actor Pete Edochie. He grew up in Lagos and Enugu. Yul earned a BA in Dramatic Arts from the University of Port Harcourt. On July 14, 2017, Edochie confirmed his candidacy for Anambra Governor. This statement was made in anticipation of the Nigerian senate passing the Not Too Young To Run Bill. On the 22nd of August 2017, he took up the nomination form of the Democratic People’s Congress and became the party’s flag bearer and gubernatorial candidate for Anambra State.
- Tonye Princewill
Tonye Princewill was born on the 4th of January 1969. He’s not only a politician but also a film producer and philanthropist. He is the son of King T.J.T. Princewill of the Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State, Nigeria. Princewill entered politics in 2007 as the Action Congress’s gubernatorial candidate for Rivers State. Former Vice-President of Nigeria and AC Presidential candidate in 2007, Atiku Abubakar, and former Lagos Governor and ACN National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, endorsed him. Tonye Princewill’s effort drew widespread support. He was defeated by Celestine Omehia of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
- Stella Oduah
Senator Stella Oduah Ogiemwonyi was born on the 5th of January in 1962. She is a former Minister of Aviation in Nigeria. On July 2, 2011, she was confirmed to the ministerial position and on July 4, 2011, she was assigned to the Ministry of Aviation. On February 12, 2014, she was stripped of her duties as Minister of Aviation. She was also a member of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s political campaign, where she served as the Director of Administration and Finance. Stella was among the delegates chosen by President Goodluck Jonathan to attend Pope Francis’ papal inauguration in 2013, together with David Mark, the Senate President, and Viola Onwuliri, the Foreign Minister.
- Ude Oko Chukwu
Sir Ude Oko Chukwu is a Nigerian politician and accountant now serving as the Deputy Governor of Abia State. He was the Speaker of the fifth Abia State House of Assembly before being sworn in as Deputy Governor. Ude Oko Chukwu was born on January 1, 1962 in Etitiama Nkporo, Ohafia Local Government Area, Abia State. In 1970 he graduated from Ndi Elu Primary School and in 1982 from Nkporo Secondary School. In 2003, he was elected to the Abia State House of Assembly to represent Ohafia North Constituency.
- Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim
Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim was born on January 23, 1961. He is a politician and businessman and once led the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), a Nigerian political organization, as its National Chairman. Bashir, who was mentored by the late Aminu Kano, has had a long career in public service, serving as Special Adviser to both Olusegun Obasanjo and Atiku Abubakar, President and Vice President respectively, at various times during their terms, as well as on several committees, including the Justice Niki Tobi Committee on the 1999 Constitution. He is a Nigerian Leadership Initiative and Aspen Institute fellow; also, he is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Directors.