Early Life and Education

Natasha Hadiza Akpoti was born on December 9, 1979, in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. She is the only daughter in a family of four children. Her father, Dr. Jimoh Abdul Akpoti, was a Nigerian medical doctor, while her mother, Ludmila Kravchenko, is Ukrainian. The two met in Ukraine when her father was studying at Bogomolets National Medical University.

Natasha spent much of her childhood in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State. She had her early education at Christ the King Nursery and Primary School, Okene, and later attended Federal Government College, Idoani, in Ondo State, where she demonstrated leadership skills as the Head Girl.

Her academic journey continued at the University of Abuja, where she obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree in 2004. She proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Abuja, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2005. Seeking further specialization, she enrolled at the University of Dundee, Scotland, where she earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Oil & Gas Management in 2012.

Quick Facts About Senator Natasha Akpoti Biography

• Full Name: Natasha Hadiza Akpoti
• Date of Birth: December 9, 1979
• Place of Birth: Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
• State of Origin: Kogi State (Ihima, Okehi LGA)
• Nationality: Nigerian
• Ethnicity: Ebira
• Father: Dr. Jimoh Abdul Akpoti (Nigerian medical doctor)
• Mother: Ludmila Kravchenko (Ukrainian)

Education

• Primary School: Christ the King Nursery and Primary School, Okene, Kogi State
• Secondary School: Federal Government College, Idoani, Ondo State (Head Girl)
• University:
  • Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), University of Abuja (2004)
  • Nigerian Law School, Abuja (Called to Bar in 2005)
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Oil & Gas Management, University of Dundee, Scotland (2012)

Career & Advocacy

• Legal Career: Worked as a counsel at Brass LNG (2007-2010)
• Founder: Builders Hub Impact Investment Program (BHIIP) (2015)
• Major Advocacy: Exposed corruption and mismanagement in Ajaokuta Steel Mill before the National Assembly in 2018

Political Career

• 2019: Contested for the Kogi Central Senatorial seat (under SDP) but lost
• 2019: Ran for Kogi State governorship election
• 2023: Contested again for the Kogi Central Senatorial seat under PDP
• October 31, 2023: Declared the duly elected Senator representing Kogi Central by the Court of Appeal

Personal Life

• Husband: Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan (Alema of Warri Kingdom)
• Marriage Date: March 5, 2022
• Children: Four

Philanthropy & Impact

• Advocates for:
  • Revival of Ajaokuta Steel Mill
  • Industrialization and local content development in Nigeria
  • Women and youth empowerment
  • Good governance and transparency in politics

Notable Achievements

• First elected female Senator from Kogi State
• One of Nigeria’s most vocal advocates for industrial revival
• Successful legal battle to reclaim her Senate seat in 2023

Professional Career

Natasha began her career in the legal sector, working as a counsel at Brass LNG, a multinational gas liquefaction company, from 2007 to 2010. In 2015, she established the Builders Hub Impact Investment Program (BHIIP), an initiative designed to promote industrialization and local content development in Nigeria.

Her reputation as an activist and reformer gained national attention in March 2018, when she presented a report before the National Assembly, exposing corruption and inefficiencies in the Ajaokuta Steel Mill. She highlighted the financial mismanagement that had stalled the revival of the mill, bringing the issue to the forefront of national discussions on economic and industrial development.

Political Career

Natasha Akpoti entered politics in 2018, contesting for the Kogi Central Senatorial seat under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2019 general elections. Although she did not secure the seat, her campaign brought significant attention to the need for female representation in governance.

Later in 2019, she declared her candidacy for the Kogi State governorship election, further cementing her political ambitions. Despite facing numerous challenges, she remained a prominent voice in advocating for economic reforms and women’s participation in politics.

In 2023, Natasha contested again for the Kogi Central Senatorial seat, this time under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Initially, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Abubakar Ohere of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner. However, she legally challenged the election results. On October 31, 2023, the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned the initial verdict, declaring her the duly elected Senator representing Kogi Central.

Personal Life

Natasha Akpoti is married to Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Alema of Warri Kingdom. The couple tied the knot on March 5, 2022, in Ihima, Kogi State. She is a proud mother of four children and continues to balance her political career with family life.

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Beyond politics, Natasha is deeply committed to philanthropy and advocacy. She has consistently championed the revival of Nigeria’s steel industry, emphasizing its potential to drive industrialization and economic growth. Through her initiatives, she continues to support small businesses, empower women, and create opportunities for youth in Nigeria.

Conclusion

Senator Natasha Akpoti’s story is one of resilience, passion, and commitment to public service. From her early days as a legal practitioner to her groundbreaking role as the first elected female Senator from Kogi State, she has continuously fought for industrial development, good governance, and gender equality in Nigeria. Her journey serves as an inspiration to many, particularly women striving to make a difference in politics and business.

FAQs

1. What is Natasha Akpoti’s educational background?

She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of Abuja and an MBA in Oil & Gas Management from the University of Dundee, Scotland.

2. What is her most notable advocacy work?

She is widely recognized for her efforts to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Mill, exposing corruption and inefficiencies that hindered its operations.

3. What political positions has she contested for?

Natasha Akpoti has contested for the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in 2019 and 2023, as well as the Kogi State governorship election in 2019. She currently serves as the Senator representing Kogi Central.

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