Oby Ezekwesili Biography: Net Worth, Husband, Age, Parents, Children, Village, State of Origin
Biography
Oby Ezekwesili, born Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili on April 28, 1963, is a celebrated Nigerian economic policy expert, chartered accountant, and advocate for transparency, good governance, and human capital development.
She holds degrees from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the University of Lagos, and Harvard Kennedy School. Ezekwesili began her career as an auditor at Deloitte & Touche and co-founded Transparency International, serving as its pioneer director for Africa.
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In the Nigerian government under President Olusegun Obasanjo, she headed the Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit (earning the nickname “Madam Due Process“), served as Minister of Solid Minerals, and later as Minister of Education, implementing key reforms in procurement, mining, and education.
From 2007 to 2012, she was Vice President for the World Bank’s Africa Region, overseeing operations in Sub-Saharan countries. A co-founder of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign in 2014, she ran for Nigeria’s presidency in 2019 and has held fellowships at Yale and the Robert Bosch Academy.
| Economic policy expert and former Minister of Education of Nigeria | |
| Oby Ezekwesili | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Real Name: | Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili |
| Stage Name: | Oby Ezekwesili |
| Born: | 28 April 1963 (age 62 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria |
| State Of Origin: | Anambra State |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Education: | University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Lagos, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University |
| Height: | 1.55 m |
| Parents: | Benjamin Ujubuonu, Cecilia Nwayiaka Ujubuonu |
| Siblings: | 5 |
| Spouse: | Chinedu Ezekwesili |
| Boyfriend • Partner: | Not Dating |
| Children: | Chuba Ezekwesili, Chine Ezekwesili, Chidera Ezekwesili |
| Occupation: | Economic Policy Expert • Chartered Accountant |
| Net Worth: | $1 million-$15 million (USD) |
Early Life & Education
Obiageli “Oby” Katryn Ezekwesili was born on April 28, 1963, at Island Maternity Hospital in Lagos State, Nigeria.
She is of Igbo ethnicity, hailing from Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria, where her family originates.
Ezekwesili is a practicing Christian and is married to Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, reflecting her strong faith background that has influenced her advocacy work, including campaigns related to the abduction of Christian schoolgirls.
Her parents were Benjamin Ujubuonu, a civil servant with the Nigerian Ports Authority who passed away in 1988, and Cecilia Nwayiaka Ujubuonu.
Raised in a modest family, her father supported the household on his income from civil service. Ezekwesili was the firstborn in a family of six children, which included four brothers; she has spoken of her siblings as close companions during her upbringing.
In terms of education, Ezekwesili earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, followed by a master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos.
She later obtained a Master of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University and trained with Deloitte & Touche, qualifying as a chartered accountant.
Prior to her public service career, she worked with Professor Jeffrey Sachs at Harvard’s Center for International Development.
Career
Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili has built a distinguished career in public service, international development, and advocacy for good governance and transparency.
Trained as a chartered accountant with Deloitte & Touche, she began her career as an auditor before working with Professor Jeffrey Sachs at Harvard’s Center for International Development. She later co-founded Transparency International, serving as the organization’s first Director for Africa (1994–1999), where she played a key role in advancing global anti-corruption efforts.
In 2000, Ezekwesili joined the Nigerian government under President Olusegun Obasanjo, initially serving as Special Assistant on Budget and Economic Policy.
She later headed the Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit (BMPIU), earning the nickname “Madam Due Process” for implementing procurement reforms that strengthened transparency and efficiency. By 2005, she was appointed Minister of Solid Minerals, introducing policies to formalize and regulate Nigeria’s mining sector.
From 2006 to 2007, she served as Minister of Education, where she pushed forward key education reforms in policy and infrastructure.
Ezekwesili’s global influence expanded when she became Vice President of the World Bank’s Africa Region (2007–2012), overseeing development operations across 48 Sub-Saharan African countries and managing a multi-billion-dollar lending portfolio.
After leaving the World Bank, she returned to advocacy, most notably co-founding the #BringBackOurGirls movement in 2014, which drew worldwide attention to the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok.
In 2018, she entered politics as a Presidential candidate under the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), campaigning on governance reforms and economic revival, though she later withdrew before the election. Beyond politics, Ezekwesili has served as a fellow at Yale University and the Robert Bosch Academy, and she founded the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) to train future African leaders.
Today, she remains a prominent voice on governance, institutional reform, gender equity, and human capital development, continuing her work through #FixPolitics and Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ).
Social Media
- Wikipedia: Oby Ezekwesili
- Twitter: Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) · X
- Instagram: Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks)
- LinkedIn: Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili
- Facebook: Oby Ezekwesili
Personal Life
Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili was born on April 28, 1963, making her 62 years old.
She has been married once, to Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), since 1988; they celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary in 2025.
The couple has three sons: Chinemelum Ezekwesili (also known as Chine Ezekwesili), Chinweuba Ezekwesili (also known as Chuba Ezekwesili), and Chidera Ezekwesili.
Her height is 1.55 m.
Net Worth
Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili‘s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $15 million, derived from her career as a chartered accountant, public servant, and international development expert.
Her roles as Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals and Education, Vice President of the World Bank’s Africa Region, and co-founder of Transparency International, along with her advocacy work, such as #BringBackOurGirls, contribute to this estimate.
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