Asuquo Ekpenyong
{{Short description|Nigerian politician (b.1985)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
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| order1 = Commissioner for Finance Cross River State
| term_start1 = November 2015
| term_end1 = March 2022
| predecessor1 =
| successor1 =
| majority =
| order2 = Commissioner for transport and Marine services Cross River State
| term_start2 = October 2018
| term_end2 = May 2019
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| order3 = Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Cross River south senatorial district
| term_start3 = June 2023
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| predecessor3 = Gershom Bassey
| successor3 =
| majority3 =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|08|25|df=y}}
| birth_place = Eniong Abatim, Odukpani Cross River State, Nigeria
| name = Asuquo Ekpenyong
| nationality = Nigerian
| death_place =
| party = All Progressives Congress (2021–present)
| otherparty =
| spouse = Netanela Duke Ekpenyong
| occupation = Politician
| profession = Investment Banker, Financial Analyst
| website =
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| alma_mater = University of Reading
}}
Asuquo Ekpenyong (born 25 August 1985) is a Nigerian politician and financial analyst. He is the former Cross River State Commissioner for Finance and is currently the senator representing Cross River south senatorial district and the youngest Senator in the Nigerian Senate.{{Cite web |title=Asuquo Ekpenyong: An Emerging Nigerian Star - THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/03/30/asuquo-ekpenyong-an-emerging-nigerian-star |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=www.thisdaylive.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Election of Ekpenyoung as Senator-elect is Victory for Cross River South People, Says Ewa – THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/02/27/election-of-ekpenyoung-as-senator-elect-is-victory-for-cross-river-south-people-says-ewa/ |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=www.thisdaylive.com}}{{Cite web |date=2015-12-09 |title=Asuquo Ekpenyong Is Nigeria's Youngest Commissioner |url=https://nairametrics.com/2015/12/09/asuquo-ekpenyong-is-nigerias-youngest-commissioner/ |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Nairametrics |language=en-US}}
Background and education
Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr was born into the family of Chief Dr. Asuquo Ekpenyong and Dr. Mrs. Iquo Ekpenyong. He did his secondary education at Corona College, Lagos and further obtained a degree in Economics from the University of Reading in 2007 and a master's degree in International Banking and Financial Services in 2008.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-27 |title=Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr: Biography, age, wife, political career, and more |url=https://newswirengr.com/2022/05/27/asuquo-ekpenyong-jr-biography-age-wife-children-political-career-and-things-you-may-not-know/ |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=NewsWireNGR |language=en-US}}
Career
Asuquo Ekpenyong worked as a financial analyst in Lagos and then moved to Cross River where he worked for two years as a lecturer in the Banking and Finance Department of the University of Calabar. He established Iquasu Ventures Limited, a haulage and logistics company, in 2010 and later took over as Managing Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) licensed Chamley Bureau de Change Limited. Asuquo was later appointed Executive Director for Finance at Pearland Energy, an indigenous Oil and Gas company, and a member of the board of directors at Ekondo Microfinance Bank Limited.{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://ekondomfbank.com |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=Ekondo Microfinance Bank Ltd |language=en-US}}
In December 2015 Asuquo was appointed Cross River State Commissioner for finance by Governor Benedict Ayade at the age of 29, making him the youngest commissioner in Nigeria. He is the longest serving commissioner for Finance in Cross River State.{{Cite web |date=2015-12-15 |title=Meet Nigeria's youngest commissioner, Asuquo Ekpenyong - |url=https://theeagleonline.com.ng/meet-nigerias-youngest-commissioner-asuquo-ekpenyong/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=The Eagle Online |language=en-US}}
In 2018 Asuquo was appointed commissioner for transport and marine services following the resignation of Mr. Savior Nyong to contest the 2019 elections.{{Cite web|date=2018-10-04 |title=Cross River Assembly Confirms New Local Government Auditor, IRS Chairman As Ayade Shuffles Cabinet |url=https://crossriverwatch.com/2018/10/cross-river-assembly-confirms-new-local-government-auditor-irs-chairman-as-ayade-shuffles-cabinet/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=CrossRiverWatch |language=en-US}}
Asuquo resigned as Commissioner for finance and Joined the race for governorship of Cross River State in the 2023 Cross River State gubernatorial election and was a leading aspirant until the emergence of Senator Bassey Otu as the consensus candidate of the All progressive congress (APC) in the state.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-28 |title=Asuquo Ekpenyong kickstarts consultation, gets nod from Cross River Assembly, Prof Zana Akpagu |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/asuquo-ekpenyong-kickstarts-consultation-gets-nod-from-cross-river-assembly-prof-zana-akpagu/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}}
In May 2022, Asuquo Ekpenyong emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries with 347 votes out of 351 accredited voters. He is currently running for Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District.{{Cite web |last=Onwuzurumba |first=Adaora |date=2022-05-28 |title=Cross River 2023: Asuquo Ekpeyong, Martins Orim pick APC senatorial tickets |url=https://www.today.ng/news/politics/cross-river-2023-asuquo-ekpeyong-martins-orim-pick-apc-senatorial-tickets-426496 |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=TODAY |language=en-US}}
He was named the chairman, Senate committee on NDDC of the 10th senate on 8th August, 2023.{{Cite web |title=Lawan, Yari, Tambuwal, Oshiomhole, Sani Musa, Others Emerge Senate Committee Chairmen - THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/08/08/lawan-yari-tambuwal-oshiomhole-sani-musa-others-emerge-senate-committee-chairmen?amp=1 |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=www.thisdaylive.com}}
Personal life
Asuquo Ekpenyong married Netanela Duke Ekpenyong, the second daughter of ex-governor Donald Duke in 2018, and they have two children together.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-04 |title=When Asuquo Ekpenyong hosted son's christening party |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/when-asuquo-ekpenyong-hosted-sons-christening-party/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=The Sun Nigeria |language=en-US}}