Celebrating a stalwart: Obiageli Ezekwesili at 60

Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili is an African amazon that has diligently served both Nigeria and the international community in various capacities. An economic policy expert, a humanitarian and an activist, Mummy Oby has served twice as a Federal Minister in Nigeria and a former Vice President for the World Bank’s Africa Region. She is also the co-founder and founding director of Transparency International, co-founder of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, and founder of the #FixPolitics Initiative and the School of Politics Policy and Governance (SPPG).

A trailblazer in many ramifications, she serves as the co-chair of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Africa Regional Stewardship Board as well as the Senior Economic Adviser to the Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative and a member of the advisory board of the Institute for State Effectiveness. These appointments, amongst many others, highlight her passion for economic growth across the continent and, subsequently, the prosperity of every African.

She’s a visionary! From reforming government to reforming the citizenry landscape. Mummy Oby came up with Office of the Citizen — a rallying point that has brought an unprecedented level of awareness amongst Nigerians.

But all these achievements and display of excellence does not fully encapsulate the totality of who she is and what she represents. And that is what makes her shine like a thousand stars wherever she goes. Her love for those around her – and even far off from her – and her commitment and passion to see them succeed is something to behold, admire, and emulate.

I remember meeting Mummy Oby in 2007 when she was a Federal Minister of Education. My partner, Chude Jideonwo and I had been invited to visit her in her office in Abuja, and we had to wait almost all day to see her owing to her extremely busy schedule filled with several important meetings. We were told by a staff in her office to go and return another day but Mummy Oby overheard this and refused – she insisted on seeing us that day (this was getting close to nightfall) while acknowledging our patience and tenacity.

An experience like this has a way of making an unforgettable impression on the minds of people who have met with her or have the opportunity to be mentored by her. In the course of our engagement over the years, Mummy Oby has continued to be a solid support for our development, helping us with advice when we need it, and allowing us to leverage on her global networks when the need arises. There is no gainsaying that the growth and development of many young, innovative, hardworking Nigerians have been through the direct and indirect support and mentoring of Mummy Oby.

She redefined the yardstick of leadership making the 3Cs: Competence, Capacity, and Character the criteria for candidates’ assessment in Nigeria over the last 8 years. She has always said human resource is the key to unlocking Africa’s genius which led her to found Human Capital Africa, which is fast expanding across the continent.

Her passion for building the next generation of leaders birthed the School of Policy and Public Policy, which is currently producing a slew of new generation equipped leaders running for office, this project also recently launched in Senegal and spreading across the continent.

Unwavering in her convictions, her voice has been the loudest and most consistent in holding the government accountable. Unwavering in her belief, she stood first until many of the girls were returned leading without fear the Bring Back Our Girls movement, a name she coined, and that resonated around the world with champions including with Michelle Obama. She’s never on the fence, she makes clear her position and sticks it out till justice is done.

Mummy Oby is the epitome of unrivaled consistency and discipline — two virtues she never failed to instill in those around her. As a remarkable woman that embodied the best virtues that humanity offers, she is committed to upholding kindness, love, compassion, fairness and justice as the bearings for a true moral compass. She is not about position or power, all that matters to her is positive impact.

At the core of her work ethic is her philosophy to never waiver or hold back. She ensures that her values of hard work and consistency are the only reasons for any meritorious recognition accorded. Through her interactions with those around her, she has made sure that her uncommon generosity and graciousness permeate through her.

Undoubtedly, Mummy Obi’s legacy of creating a better future for all Africans – young and old – will continue to inspire and guide the next generation of leaders. The world will always remember and be grateful for the gift that she is.

I join everyone who has experienced the depth of her humanity and drank from her well of kindness, in wishing Dr Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili a very happy 60th birthday and I look forward to seeing the continued impact of her work on the world for many years to come.

Williams is the Chairman, AW Network and Founder RED | For Africa, the continent’s largest portfolio of youth-focused media brands including Red Media Africa, StateCraft Inc., The Future Awards Africa, and Y!/YNaija.com.

He is a Storyteller, a Strategic Counsel to captains of industries and Political advisor to leaders in Africa. He has for over 20 years created major storytelling platforms and led campaigns on multi media platforms within and out of the continent for corporate brands, led winning campaigns for Presidents on the continent (with three sitting presidents In Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal currently) and behavioral change campaigns of international organizations like the United Nations, African Union, UNDP, NED, amongst others.

Named among 100 Most Influential People under the United Nations Decade of People of African Descent, a Young Global Leader with the World Economic Forum, Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu Fellow. He sits on the Global Champion council of the United Nations Generation Unlimited, Global patron of Malaria no More UK.
In 2022, he was awarded the outstanding African Business Leader Awards by African Leadership Magazine UK, Eloy He4She of the year and has been named.