Nkeiruka Onyejeocha

Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejocha (born 23 November 1969) is a Nigerian politician and a ranking lawmaker in Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives.

She represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State.

Onyejocha is an active member of the Nigeria federal parliament and often contributes brilliantly to debates on critical national issues in the house.

She has sponsored several bills and moved motions that have improved the lives of ordinary citizens and help safeguard their rights.

In 1988 she graduated from University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN with a diploma in Social Work/Community Development.

In 1993 she finished a Bachelor of Art Degree, BA with second class upper division (Honor) from University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Onyejocha worked in the protocol office of the governor of State of Osun during her one year Nigeria National Youth Service in 1993.

Her interest in politics is said to have been awaken from here.

She was Managing Director of Nikkings and Kingzol International Ltd that deals in baby and household items.

Her leadership was credited for propelling the company to an international business profile.

The company was owned by her husband, Sir Kingsley Onyejocha.

Onyejocha was previously Executive Transition Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State in 2002.

Onyejocha political career started with her appointment in 2002 to the executive cabinet of Abia State as commissioner for Resource Management and Manpower Development by Governor Orji Uzor Kalu.

She is recognised for the establishment of skill acquisition centres across Abia state.

In 2003 she served in the executive cabinet of Abia State as commissioner for Resource Management and Manpower Development.

Onyejocha was born to Eze Bob Ogbonna in Isuochi in Umunneochi local government area of Abia State.

She lost her mother at a tender age.

Onyejocha attended Isuochi Central Primary School and Ovim Girls School, Isuochi.

In 2003 she was Transition Executive Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.

During her term in office, she executed erosion control projects, improved community security, and carried out rehabilitation of feeder roads.

In appreciation of her work, the Traditional Rulers Council Umunneochi conferred on her a chieftaincy title of Adaejiagamba- (ambassadorial daughter).

She was the first to receive the title.

Onyejocha holds Master's Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Imo State University (2005) and Master's Degree in Shipping from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo State.

In her days as under graduate in the university, Onyejocha was active in student unionism and politics.

She held various chairmanship assignments in the students’ union government of the University of Nigeria, Nnsuka, UNN.

Onyejocha was first elected in 2007 on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP then Nigeria’s ruling party.

Onyejocha was first elected to the Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives in 2007 on the platform of People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

Her legislative objectives focus on enactment of laws to enhance living standard of women and children; the youth and the less privilege; improvement of education, health and general infrastructure.

During the 7th assembly she was awarded the most vibrant female legislator in Nigeria by Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASSAN).

Onyejocha was the pioneer Chairman of Women in Parliament committee that was created during the 6th assembly between 2007 and 2011.

She led female legislators in efforts in tackling gender inequality and improving the living conditions of children and the less fortunate people.

In 2011 she was appointed chairman house committee on aviation that was at the time grappling with safety issues.

Her oversight assignments led to upgrade of Nigerian airports to international standard.

In 2017 she sponsored a bill that makes emergency treatment of victims of gunshot obligatory and compulsory for hospitals without demanding or delaying treatment to first obtain police reports before commencing treatment in emergency situations.

She defected to All Progressives Congress, APC in 2018 after coming under intense pressure from her former party leaders to drop her ambition for a return ticket to the house.

In 2019, she won her re-election bid for a fourth term in the Nigeria’s Green Chamber.

She is one of the longest serving members of the house.

In 2019, Onyejocha contested for the position of speaker of the male dominated Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives against Femi Gbajabiamila from Lagos State nominated for the position by their party - All Progressives Congress, APC.

Onyejocha major campaign issue was to zone speakership position to her region – south-east of Nigeria for balanced distribution of key federal powers among the six geo-political zones of the country.

But she stepped down less than 24 hours to the election.