Ngozi Odu | |
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![]() Rivers State Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu | |
Deputy Governor of Rivers State | |
Assumed office 29 May 2023 on suspension since 18 March 2025 | |
Governor | Siminalayi Fubara |
Preceded by | Ipalibo Banigo |
Rivers State Commissioner for Education | |
In office January 2006 –29 May 2007 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Ngozi Nma Odu 19 October 1952 Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni,Southern Region,British Nigeria (now in Rivers State,Nigeria) |
Political party | Peoples Democratic Party |
Alma mater | |
Occupation |
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Ngozi Nma Odu (born 19 October 1952) is a Nigerian politician who is the deputy governor of Rivers State. She was elected during the 2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election alongside the governor Siminalayi Fubara. [1] [2] She was born in Egi clan in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. [3]
Odu was born on the 23 October 1952, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers State, Nigeria. She obtained her first degree in microbiology from Paisley College of Technology, Renfrewshire, Scotland. [4] She also holds a master's degree in Food Science and Management from the University of London (Queen Elizabeth College, 1983). [3] In 1989 she obtained a PhD in microbiology from the University of Port Harcourt that made her the first PhD graduate in that department. [3]
Odu rose through the ranks in the Rivers State Ministry of Health to the post of permanent secretary from 1999 to 2006. [3] [5] In January 2006, Odu was appointed the Rivers State Commissioner of Education by the former governor of the state, Peter Odili. [6] Odu served the University of Port Harcourt both as a lecturer in the Department of Microbiology and as the first Acting Executive Director of the University of Port Harcourt Foundation. She is also a visiting professor at Rivers State University. [7] In June 2022, Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party nominated Odu as the deputy governorship candidate of the party in the 2023 Rivers State gubernatorial election. [8] [9] Before her election as deputy governor, Odu was the Director of Academic Planning, Pamo University of Medical Sciences, Rivers State. [5]