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Council Members
Meet the Visionaries Driving Abia State’s Economic Growth
Our Esteemed Council
The Abia State Global Economic Advisory Council is composed of a distinguished group of leaders, visionaries, and experts who are committed to advancing the economic development of our state. These esteemed council members bring a wealth of experience and expertise from various sectors, working collaboratively to shape policies, drive strategic initiatives, and foster sustainable growth.
Explore the profiles of our council members below and learn more about the exceptional individuals dedicated to making Abia State a beacon of economic excellence.
Council Co-Chairs
Ms. Arunma Oteh, OON
Co-Chair | AGEAC
Arunma Oteh OON is a Nigerian economist. She was the Treasurer and a Vice President of the World Bank (2015–2018). She became the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Nigeria in January 2010. In this position she was responsible for regulation of Nigeria's capital markets, including the Nigerian Stock Exchange. In July 2015, after her tenure in the SEC, she was appointed the vice president and treasurer of the World Bank. She was appointed chair of the Royal African Society in July 2021, taking over from Zeinab Badawi.
H.R.H Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, CON
Co-Chair | AGEAC
Muhammadu Sanusi II, CON (Ajami: محمد السنوسي, Muhammadu Sanusi na biyu; born 31 July 1961), known by the religious title Khalifa Sanusi II (Ajami: خليفة السنوسي), is the spiritual leader (khalifa) of the Tijanniyah Sufi order in Nigeria and the emir (Sarki) of the ancient city-state of Kano. He is a member of the Dabo dynasty and was born in Kano in 1961 into the royal family as the grandson of Muhammadu Sanusi I.
He succeeded his great-uncle Ado Bayero to the throne on 8 June 2014, assuming the regnal name Muhammadu Sanusi II. He spent most of his reign advocating for cultural reform in Northern Nigeria. In 2020, he was dethroned by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and was succeeded by his cousin Aminu Ado Bayero. On 23 May 2024, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reinstated him to the throne making him the 16th Fulani emir of Kano.
He succeeded his great-uncle Ado Bayero to the throne on 8 June 2014, assuming the regnal name Muhammadu Sanusi II. He spent most of his reign advocating for cultural reform in Northern Nigeria. In 2020, he was dethroned by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and was succeeded by his cousin Aminu Ado Bayero. On 23 May 2024, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reinstated him to the throne making him the 16th Fulani emir of Kano.
Mr. Bolaji Balogun
Co-Chair | AGEAC
Bolaji Balogun is Chief Executive Officer of Chapel Hill Denham, Nigeria’s leading independent investment banking firm and Chief Investment Officer of the Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund. He has over thirty years of experience in investment banking, investment management and mobile telecommunications. Chapel Hill Denham is one of Nigeria’s leading investment management firms and the leading alternatives investment manager with funds in infrastructure, Real Estate and SMEs.
He spent eleven years with FCMB Group, in investment banking and securities trading, leaving in January 2001. From April 1993 to January 2001, he was Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at CSL Stockbrokers Limited. Bolaji was Executive Director at FCMB Capital Markets from January 1996.
He spent eleven years with FCMB Group, in investment banking and securities trading, leaving in January 2001. From April 1993 to January 2001, he was Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at CSL Stockbrokers Limited. Bolaji was Executive Director at FCMB Capital Markets from January 1996.
Members from State Executive Council
Dr. Alex Otti, OFR
Governor | Abia State
Alex Otti (born 18 February 1965) is a Nigerian economist, banker, investor, philanthropist, and politician, serving as the current Governor of Abia State in Nigeria. He is from Isiala-ngwa. Otti is the former Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank Plc, a retail financial institution in Nigeria. Otti was a gubernatorial candidate of Abia State on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). On 31 December 2015, The Court of Appeal which sat in Owerri removed Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party as governor of Abia State and declared Otti the winner of the April 11 and April 25 Governorship elections in the state. On February 3, 2016, the Supreme Court of Nigeria reversed the verdict of the Court of Appeal and affirmed the election of Ikpeazu as Governor. Otti is a member of the editorial board of Thisday, and writes a fortnightly column, every other Monday, titled "Outside The Box".
Mr Ikechukwu Uwanna
Attorney-General and Honourable Commissioner for Justice | Abia State
Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna is a Notary Public of Nigeria and the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch between July 2021 and July 2023. Ikechukwu has over a decade of experience in commercial law practice and is the Attorney General of Abia State. Prior to this, he was a Partner with Tsedaqah Attorneys.
Before co-founding the Tsedaqah Attorneys, he had garnered extensive dispute resolution and transactional experience with Serenity Legal Union and Partners, Port Harcourt as well relevant Tax experience with SIAO Partners, where he advised both local and multinational companies on their commercial and litigation matters. Mr. Uwanna has a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the Abia State University Nigeria; a Master’s degree in Law from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State and a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management from the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos.
Before co-founding the Tsedaqah Attorneys, he had garnered extensive dispute resolution and transactional experience with Serenity Legal Union and Partners, Port Harcourt as well relevant Tax experience with SIAO Partners, where he advised both local and multinational companies on their commercial and litigation matters. Mr. Uwanna has a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the Abia State University Nigeria; a Master’s degree in Law from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State and a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management from the Pan Atlantic University, Lagos.
Other Members of the Council
The Secretariat
Charles Egonye
Member | AGEAC Secretariat
Charles Egonye, until his appointment as Technical Adviser to the Governor of Abia State, is an accomplished infrastructure finance advisory expert, who has successfully supported a diverse range of public and private sector clients throughout the lifecycle of numerous capital projects. His expertise spans various asset classes, including Transport, Mining, Real estate, Power, Oil & Gas, and Agriculture sectors. Notably, he has excelled in project preparation, demonstrating proficiency in Feasibility Studies, Business Planning, Financial Modelling/ Capital raising, Private Public Partnerships (PPP), Sell-side/Buy-Side Procurement Support, Concessions / Privatization Programs, and more.