23 Facts About Nyesom Wike

Ezenwo Nyesom Wike was born on 13 December 1964 and is a Nigerian politician and lawyer who has served as the minister of the Federal Capital Territory since 2023.

Nyesom Wike previously served as the governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023.

Nyesom Wike is an Ikwerre man from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor, Rivers State.

Nyesom Wike is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and was graduated from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

Nyesom Wike was appointed Minister of State for Education on 14 July 2011.

Nyesom Wike was later appointed the Acting Minister of Education, after Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa'i was sacked but resigned before finishing his term to campaign for governor of Rivers State.

In March 2022, Nyesom Wike declared that he will be running for the office of the president of Nigeria under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2023 General election, he was defeated by Atiku Abubakar who won the primaries with 371 votes while Nyesom Wike got 237 votes being the first runner up, during the Peoples Democratic Party presidential election primary which was held at the MKO Abiola National stadium, Abuja on 28 and 29 May 2022.

Nyesom Wike attended Government Secondary School Eneka in Obiakpor, Rivers State where he sat for his O'level exams before proceeding to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

Nyesom Wike obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from RSUT before proceeding to Law School in 1997.

Nyesom Wike holds a Master of Arts degree in Political and Administrative Studies from RSUT.

In March 2025, Nyesom Wike was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in Law by the University of Calabar, during the 37th convocation ceremony.

Nyesom Wike began his political career as the Executive Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers in 1999, a position he held until 2007, after being re-elected in 2003.

Nyesom Wike stepped down as Federal Minister to contest in the 2015 gubernatorial elections in his home state, Rivers State.

Nyesom Wike opposed the hearing of the case in Abuja, arguing that the Tribunal should be held in Port Harcourt.

Akeredolu stated that the court bailiffs had on several occasions visited Nyesom Wike's residence to effect court service on him but was on all the occasions turned back at the gate by Nyesom Wike's security guards upon discovery that he was a court bailiff.

Nyesom Wike said he would appeal the ruling of the tribunal.

The result was declared by the Returning Officer for Rivers State, Osasere Orumwense on 13 April 2015, stating that Nyesom Wike was awarded 1,029,102 votes, thus winning the election.

Nyesom Wike took his oath of office on Wednesday, 29 May 2019 at Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt as he commences his second term.

On 31 July 2023, Nyesom Wike was screened by the senate where he declared that President Tinubu would not regret nominating him as a minister in his cabinet.

In line with his plans for educational reform, Nyesom Wike declared public primary and secondary education free.

Nyesom Wike disclosed this on Monday, 24 June 2019, in a meeting at the government house, Port Harcourt.

However, the Government of Nyesom Wike held its ground amidst the perpetual demur until they all dissolved.

Nyesom Wike has a continuing feud with his protege and successor Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, that has included insults, lawsuits and even halt in all federal payments to Rivers on Nyesom Wike's behest.