Betty Apiafi

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Betty Apiafi

|image =

|office1 = Senator for Rivers West

|term_start3 = 2007

|term_end3 = 2019

|preceded1 = Osinakachukwu Ideozu

|preceded3 = Osinakachukwu Ideozu

|term_start1 = 2019

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1962|2|19|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Rivers State, Nigeria

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = PDP

| religion =

|awards=Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS)

| alma_mater = University of Port Harcourt
Rivers State University

| spouse = Kalada Apiafi

| children =

|office=|office2=Member of the
House of Representatives
for Abua/Odual—Ahoada East|succeeded2=Solomon Bob}}

Betty Jocelyne Okagua - Apiafi (born 19 February 1962) is a Nigerian politician, economist, retired banker and educationist. Apiafi was elected to the Nigerian Senate{{Cite web |title=Senate moves to mainstream gender parity in Constitution |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/senate-moves-to-mainstream-gender-parity-in-constitution/amp/ |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=thenationonlineng.net}} for Rivers West Senatorial District in 2019. She has also served as a House of Representatives Member for Abua/Odual-Ahoada East Federal Constituency of Rivers State since 2007. She is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).{{Cite web|date=2020-03-11|title=Many male senators oppose inclusion of gender equality in Nigerian Constitution|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/381252-many-male-senators-oppose-inclusion-of-gender-equality-in-nigerian-constitution.html|access-date=2022-02-21|language=en-GB}}

Early life and education

Apiafi was born on 19 February 1962. She earned a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Port Harcourt and a master's degree from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.{{cite news|url=https://www.businessdayonline.com/national-assembly-compiles-for-review-250-laws-that-hamper-businesses-in-nigeria/|title=National Assembly compiles for review 250 laws that hamper businesses in Nigeria|work=Business Day|date=3 May 2016|accessdate=31 October 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107032544/https://www.businessdayonline.com/national-assembly-compiles-for-review-250-laws-that-hamper-businesses-in-nigeria/|url-status=dead}}

House of Representatives

During her tenures at the House of Representatives (2007-2019), Apiafi was a strong advocate for women affairs, education and bank sector reforms. Other women elected included Folake Olunloyo, Maimunat Adaji, Martha Bodunrin, Suleiman Oba Nimota, Mulikat Adeola Akande, Uche Lilian Ekunife, Beni Lar, Lynda Chuba-Ikpeazu, Mercy Almona-Isei, Doris Uboh, and Olubimi Etteh.{{Cite web|title=Women who will shape Sventh National Assembly|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/06/women-who-will-shape-seventh-national-assembly/|date=2011-06-06|website=Vanguard News|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-03}} She sponsored several bills and undertook several assignments.

= Committee memberships =

Apiafi chaired several committees during her tenures in the House of Representatives between the years 2007 to 2019. They include:

Chairman House Committee on Health
Deputy Chairman House Committee on Diaspora
Member House Committee on Agriculture
Member House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission
Member House Committee on Banking and Currency
Member House Committee on Electoral Matters
Member House Committee on National Security
Member House Committee on Women Affairs
Member House Committee on Women in Parliament
Member House Committee on Aviation

= House assignments =

In 2011, Apiafi was among a select number of Nigerian Parliamentarians to successfully amend the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria which was assented to by the then President of Nigeria which was assented to by the then President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

She was also a member of the PAN African Parliament 2007–2015, leader of Delegation House of Representatives to PAN African Parliament 2011- 2015.

Senate

Apiafi was elected to the Nigerian Senate of the 9th Assembly in 2019 under the Peoples Democratic Party. She currently represents the Rivers West Senatorial District. She is the first female member of the Nigerian House of Representative and Member of the Senate from Rivers state.