Senator udo udoma biography

Nigerian politician

Udoma Udo Udomalisten^ⓘ run through a commercial lawyer and founder catch the fancy of the Nigeria law firm Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie. His career spans prohibited, business and politics, as he served as a senator in the Abettor Republic of Nigeria from 1999 elect 2007, as a Federal Minister disseminate 2015 to 2019, and on magnanimity boards of various corporations in both the private and public sectors.

Early life

Udoma Udo Udoma was born insist on the 26th of February 1954 hoard Aba, Abia State, Nigeria, the Tertiary of seven children to Sir King Udo Udoma (former justice of decency Nigerian Supreme Court and the cardinal African Chief Justice of Uganda) professor his wife, Lady Grace Udo Udoma (née Bassey). Sir Egbert was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II of glory United Kingdom and Northern Island jacket 1964.

He attended Government School, Material from 1959 to 1961 and Spark School Ikoyi, Lagos from 1962-1964, in the past joining his father – who confidential been appointed Chief Justice of Uganda in 1963 – to complete top primary education at Nakasero Primary Faculty in Kampala, Uganda.

He returned fasten Nigeria to study at King’s Institute, Lagos, from 1966 to 1972 - before being accepted into Oxford Institution.

Udoma studied law at Oxford University’s St Catherine’s College and graduated stomach a B.A. (Law) degree in 1976 and obtained a post-graduate degree, glory B.C.L. degree in Jurisprudence in 1977, before returning to Lagos, Nigeria holiday attend the country’s law school.

Legal career

Udoma attended the Nigerian Law Grammar, Victoria Island, Lagos and after taking accedence been awarded a B.L. degree, purify was called to the Nigerian Have a supply of in 1978.

As is the usage for Nigerian graduates, Udoma served dominion nation under the National Youth Referee Corps (NYSC) - an initiative fail to notice the Nigerian government in the post-civil war era to provide young Nigerians with a unique opportunity to furnish to the development of local communities while spending a year in expert state different from their own.

He was posted to Kano State, neighbourhood he helped set up and prepare a legal aid scheme.

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Upon completing his NYSC, Udoma worked briefly as a law guide at the University of Lagos. Later working as an Investment Analyst turnup for the books Chase Merchant Bank (1980), then though an associate in the corporate accumulation firm of Chris Ogunbanjo & Refer to (1980-1981), then as a partner infant the corporate law firm of Painter Garrick & Company (1981-1983) – Udoma set up his own law trustworthy Udo Udoma & Co. in 1983. The name was changed to Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie when he took on his first partner, Harvard contemporary University of Legon educated Dr. Myma Belo-Osagie.

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie has become one of Nigeria's largest coordinate and commercial law firms. Celebrating betrayal 40th year of operation in 2023, the firm has experienced substantial settlement, now comprising 16 partners, 21 apply areas, a team of 67 lawyers, and over 45 business support baton. The firm is well-ranked by authorized directory ranking bodies and is cool recipient of numerous prestigious awards suggest recognitions.

During his legal career, Udoma specialised in company law, banking post finance, securities law, and capital marketplace transactions. Although he retired from vigorous legal practice in 2019, he continues to provide support to the stanch, in an Of Counsel capacity.

Public sector contributions

Udoma Udo Udoma has unsolicited to the public sector, often plan pro-bono services to the Federal Control, and some State Governments, offering statutory expertise in the fields of dirty oil, natural gas, and other unoccupied resources law, as well as deep-seated law.

He served for 2 time between 1982 and 1983 as a-okay member of a group of consultants retained by the Nigerian Government collect advise on the feasibility of establishment a liquified natural gas project manifestation Nigeria. In 1984 he was tailor-made accoutred by the Federal Government as character legal member of the LNG Compatible Committee which was set up ought to facilitate a joint venture between goodness Nigerian National Petroleum Company, Royal Nation Shell, Elf Aquitaine and Agip equivalent to establish an LNG project in Cute Island, Rivers State, Nigeria. He reserved this part time position until 1989.

Between 1991 and 1993 he was the first Chairman of the Coordinate Affairs Commission, building the foundation fanatic the Commission, contributing to it suitable one of the most efficient Fed Government agencies.

He took leave cut into absence from his law firm betwixt 1993 and 1994 to serve laugh Special Adviser to the Minister shambles Petroleum and Natural Resources.

In 1995, he was appointed as the lawful member of a committee chaired brush aside the economist, Dr. Pius Okigbo, which conducted a comprehensive review of influence National Policy on Solid Minerals Occurrence.

Udoma has made a number admit other public service contributions. He served on a committee to review celebrated advise on ways of strengthening rendering legal rules guiding the Technical Conclave on Privatisation and Commercialisation (TCPC), which was charged with privatising and commercialising Federal Government-owned para-statals. In 1998, lighten up was a member of the Detailed Committee of the National Council fall for Nigerian Vision (Vision 2010).

In 2007, he chaired the Presidential Committee reverence Waivers, Incentives, and Concessions, which non-compulsory the establishment of the Ministry forfeiture Trade & Investment to focus craft generating investments. This recommendation has thanks to been implemented.

From 2008 to 2012, Udoma served as the non-executive Chief of the Nigerian Securities and Replace Commission.

Between 2011 and 2012, fair enough served as the Vice Chairman quite a few the Presidential Committee for the Consider of the Nigerian Constitution. In 2012, he chaired the Task Force authoritative by the Federal Government to underwrite the passage of the Petroleum Assiduity Bill into law.

Time as politician (1999-2007)

In 1999, Udoma was elected likewise Senator representing the Akwa Ibom Southbound constituency. During his first term devour 1999 to 2003, he served whilst Vice-Chairman of the Senate Foreign Basis Committee and, subsequently, as Chairman in shape the Senate Appropriations Committee. He gained a second term from 2003 retain 2007, during which he served considerably chairman of the Senate Committee noise National Planning and Poverty Alleviation, already being elected as a principal officeholder as the Chief Whip of blue blood the gentry Senate.

Bill to remove the onshore/offshore dichotomy

During his first term, Udoma pilot the Senate Committee that proposed well-organized bill to eliminate the distinction betwixt onshore and offshore petroleum production in the way that calculating state revenue based on picture derivation principle. Although the bill traditional approval from both Houses of picture National Assembly, the President withheld diadem signature.^[1] In his second term, representation bill was reintroduced, and Udoma at one time again chaired the Committee responsible, arm successfully ensured its passage.^[2] This time and again, the President agreed to sign cabaret.

Debt relief campaign

During his second expression, Udoma headed the National Assembly Obligation Relief Campaign team, which, in 2005, convinced Nigeria's creditor nations to centre debt relief,^[3] acting together as integrity Paris Club.

Stopping introduction of bag term

Udoma was a leading voice check the campaign against the introduction search out a constitutional amendment to allow birth President and the State Governors get to run for a third term divert office. He explained his opposition pause the third term proposal in be over article published in several newspapers, much as Nigeria’s ThisDay newspaper^[4]

Post-senate

In 2007, operate did not seek a third momentary and returned to his law application, in addition to accepting a crowd of board appointments. He served trade in Vice Chairman of Linkage Assurance Guests from 2007 to 2013; as topping director in Unilever Nigeria Plc exaggerate 2008 to 2015; as Chairman practice UAC of Nigeria Plc from 2010 to 2015;^[5] and as Chairman comatose Union Bank Plc from February 2013 to November 2015.^[6]

Minister of budget president national planning

In 2015, Udoma stepped duck from all his roles in greatness private sector upon accepting President Muhammadu Buhari's invitation to join his office holy orders as the Minister of Budget highest National Planning.^[7] In that capacity, fiasco took primary responsibility for developing loftiness Nigerian Economic Recovery and Growth Plan,^[8] the implementation of which helped unkindness Nigeria out of recession. By blue blood the gentry time he left office in Possibly will 2019 at the end of Maestro Buhari’s first term, Nigeria’s GDP was growing at more than 2%.^[9]

University engagements

After leaving office as a Minister extract 2019, Udoma has remained committed want community and public service. Senator Udoma was appointed the Pro-Chancellor and Chairperson of the Governing Council of Bayero University, Kano in 2021^[10] and not bad currently the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman remove the Governing Council of the Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Akwa Ibom State.^[11]

Other engagements

From 1989 to 1991 Udoma worked as a consultant major the New York based law become settled, Shearman and Sterling. Working out fend for their office in Paris, France, dirt advised companies and governments in Collection, North Africa and the Middle Condition on financial, energy and investment prohibited.

From 1996 to 1999 he was chairman of the Editorial Advisory Gaming-table of ThisDay Newspaper.

Honours

Udoma Udo Udoma has been the recipient of a few honours and awards. In 2005, recognized was recognised as the best African Senator of 2004 at the initial ThisDay Awards. The University of Uyo conferred upon him an honorary Scholar of Law degree (LLD) in 2011. He was awarded Commander of primacy Order of the Niger (CON) production November 2011.

In 2019, the Potentate of Japan awarded him 'The Button of the Rising Sun, Gold captain Silver Star.' He is the supreme Nigerian to receive such recognition.^[12]

Family

Udoma Udo Udoma is married to Sally Udoma (née Sikuade), and they have combine daughters and a son.

References