The Nigerian political space has become a very interesting one since the commencement of this fourth republic in 1999, with many commentators express their regret on lack of progress.
One of the major challenges the country is facing has always been the recruitment process for the political leaders at the Federal level and the sub nationals with many of them demonstrating lack of capacity as well as unwillingness to cater to the needs of the people they govern.
There has been a lot of agitation for the more participation of private sector leaders or technocrats in politics, either for elective offices or appointments into political offices due to the perceived failures of the typical professional Nigerian politicians.
Nigeria’s economic setup is largely shaped by its private sector, which accounts for over 80% of GDP and employment.
Private sector leaders are increasingly showing more interest in Nigerian politics, often through partnerships with government, funding initiatives, advocacy for specific policies, appointments into public offices or even actively contesting for elective positions.
This trend points to paradigm shift in Nigerian politics, where technocratic credentials and private sector experience are gaining appeal among voters and party powerbrokers alike.
For these set of politicians, decades spent navigating market volatility, managing enterprises, and driving capital investment have become assets in addressing Nigeria’s fiscal and governance challenges.
This list highlights Nigerian current state governors who came from the private sector, detailing their professional journeys
Oyo State governor, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde was born on December 25, 1967. He is an engineer and businessman whose career in the private sector spans oil and gas, power, and industrial services.
After earning a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Lagos in 1990, he did his national service (NYSC) with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of Nigeria, where he was later engaged as a pupil engineer, gaining hands-on experience in oilfield operations from 1990 to 1992.
He later joined Rebold International Limited, serving as a field engineer and assistant manager in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, where he supervised the design, installation, and commissioning of instrumentation projects between 1992 and 1997.
At 29, he founded Makon Engineering and Technical Services Limited (METS) in 1997, an engineering services firm that would grow into the Makon Group of Companies. The group expanded into oil and gas services, power generation, and distribution, becoming a recognised indigenous player in Nigeria’s energy sector.
Makinde’s first shot at politics was in 2007, when he contested the Oyo South Senatorial seat under the ANPP but lost to the PDP candidate. He later made unsuccessful bids for the Senate in 2011 and the Oyo governorship in 2015 before returning to the PDP, where he won the 2019 and 2023 governorship elections
