Edward Onoja
Edward David Onoja | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 9, 1974 Odidoko-Emonyoku, Ogugu District, Olamaboro, Kogi State, Nigeria |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Known for | Deputy Governor of Kogi State (2019–2024) |
Edward David Onoja (born 9 August 1974) is a Nigerian political figure who held the position of deputy governor of Kogi State from 2019 until 2024. Prior to this role, he served as the chief of staff to the Kogi State governor from January 2016 to October 2019, when he ascended to the deputy governorship. Presently, Onoja is a founding board member representing the North Central zone on the South East Development Commission.
Background
Born in August 1974 in Odidoko-Emonyoku, Ogugu District within Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Edward David Onoja completed his primary schooling in Lagos State. He attended Federal Government College, Kwali, Abuja for his secondary education. In 1999, he earned a Second Class Upper degree in Geology and Mining from the University of Jos. During his time there, he distinguished himself academically and was the inaugural elected President of the Natural Science Students Association (NASSA) between 1998 and 1999.
Career
Onoja brings over two decades of expertise spanning banking, the oil and gas sector, and political engagement.
Political Foray
His political journey began in 2011 when he contested as the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate for Olamaboro State Constituency. By 2015, he had taken on the role of Director General for the Kogi Youth Arise Group, which played a pivotal role in securing President Muhammadu Buhari’s success in Kogi State. Later that year, Onoja acted as Chief Strategist and Director General for Yahaya Bello’s gubernatorial campaign. Following Bello’s inauguration in January 2016, Onoja was appointed Chief of Staff until October 2019, when he succeeded Simon Achuba as Deputy Governor after Achuba’s impeachment. He was subsequently elected Deputy Governor during the November 2019 general elections.
In his capacity as Director-General of the APC Campaigns for the 2019 Kogi State elections, Onoja orchestrated a comprehensive victory: capturing all 25 seats in the state assembly, seven out of nine federal constituencies, and two of three senatorial seats. Later tribunal decisions confirmed APC’s hold on all three senatorial positions in Kogi State under his leadership.