Godswill Akpabio

Biography

Godswill Akpabio has been a telecoms executive, a two-term governor of Akwa Ibom, a federal minister and, since June 2023, President of the Senate — the head of Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber. Here is how he got there and what the job involves.

Career history

1. 2002

   In 2002 Governor Victor Attah appointed him Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources; he later handled Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Lands and Housing.

2. 2007

   In 2007 he won the governorship on the PDP platform and was re-elected in 2011.

3. 2015

   Akpabio went to the Senate in 2015 for Akwa Ibom North-West and became Senate Minority Leader for the PDP.

4. 2018

   In August 2018 he defected to the APC.

5. 2019

   He lost his Senate seat in the 2019 election, but President Buhari appointed him Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, a role he held until 2022, when he stepped down to contest the APC presidential primary.

6. 2023

   Akpabio returned to the Senate in 2023 and, with the backing of the APC leadership, was elected President of the Senate on 13 June 2023, defeating Abdulaziz Yari by 63 votes to 46.

7. 2025

   His time in office has included major legislation such as the tax reform bills, but also heated moments — including a highly publicised 2025 dispute with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, which led to her suspension and to allegations that he denied.

8. 2026

   In May 2026 Akpabio emerged as the APC’s consensus candidate for the Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial seat for the 2027 elections.

Quick facts