Chris Ngige

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Chris Ngige

|image =

|caption =

|office1 = Minister of Labour and Employment Nigeria{{cite news|last=Nwafor|first=Gloria|title=Union hails Ngige for ceding ambition to resolve education sector's crisis|work=The Guardian|date=2022-06-08|url=https://guardian.ng/news/union-hails-ngige-for-ceding-ambition-to-resolve-education-sectors-crisis/|access-date=2022-06-16}}{{cite news|title=2023: Ngige joins presidential race|work=Premium Times|date=2022-04-18|url=https://premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/524439-2023-ngige-joins-presidential-race.html|access-date=2022-06-16}}

|term_start1 = 11 November 2015

|term_end1 = 29 May 2023

|president1 = Muhammadu Buhari

|predecessor1 = Chukwuemeka Ngozichineke Wogu

|successor1 = Simon Lalong

|office2 = Governor of Anambra State

|term_start2 = 29 May 2003

|term_end2 = 17 March 2006

|predecessor2 = Chinwoke Mbadinuju

|successor2 = Peter Obi

|office3 = Senator for Anambra Central

|term_start3 = 6 June 2011

|term_end3 = 6 June 2015

|predecessor3 = Annie Okonkwo

|successor3 = Uche Ekwunife

|birth_name = Chris Nwabueze Ngige

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1952|8|8|df=y}}

|birth_place =

|party = All Progressives Congress (APC)

|alma_mater = University of Nigeria Nsukka

}}

Chris Nwabueze Ngige (born 8 August 1952) is a Nigerian politician and medical doctor who served as minister of Labour and Employment of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari's administration from 2015 to 2023.{{cite news|date=2022-06-22|title=ASUU'll call off strike soon, says Ngige|url=https://punchng.com/asuull-call-off-strike-soon-says-ngige/|last=Angbulu|first=Stephen|access-date=2024-08-29|work=The Punch}}{{cite news|title=ASUU Strike Will Be Resolved Soon, Ngige Assures Nigerians|url=https://www.channelstv.com/2022/06/22/asuu-strike-will-be-resolved-soon-ngige-assures-nigerians/|last=Egobiambu|first=Emmanuel|access-date=2024-08-29|agency=Channels TV}}{{cite web|date=2022-06-22|title=Ngige: FG will resolve issues on ASUU strike very soon|url=https://www.thecable.ng/ngige-fg-will-resolve-issues-on-asuu-strike-very-soon|access-date=2022-06-23|website=TheCable}}{{cite news|last=Opejobi|first=Seun|date=2022-06-22|title=ASUU strike to end soon - Labour minister, Ngige assures|url=https://dailypost.ng/2022/06/22/asuu-strike-to-end-soon-labour-minister-ngige-assures/|access-date=2022-06-23|work=Daily Post}} He was elected Senator for Anambra Central Constituency in April 2011.{{cite news|url=https://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/4382-how-ngige-floored-akunyili-in-anambra-central.html|last=Onu|first=Nwanosike|title=How Ngige floored Akunyili in Anambra Central|work=The Nation|date=2011-04-28|access-date=2011-04-27|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110502015547/http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/4382-how-ngige-floored-akunyili-in-anambra-central.html|archive-date=2011-05-02}} He was the governor of Anambra State{{cite news|title=ntrigues stall Ribadu's choice of running mate|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/02/intrigues-stall-ribadu%E2%80%99s-choice-of-running-mate/|access-date=2011-02-14|newspaper=Vanguard|date=2011-02-13|last1=Ajani|first1=Jide|last2=Aziken|first2=Emmanuel}} in Nigeria from May 2003 to March 2006 under the People's Democratic Party (PDP).{{cite news|date=2022-01-02|title=2023: Ngige roots for Southern president|url=https://guardian.ng/news/2023-ngige-roots-for-southern-president/|access-date=2024-08-29|work=The Guardian|last1=Olayinka|first1=Collins|last2=Osibe|first2=Osiberoha}}{{cite news|date=2022-05-13|title=Breaking: Ngige pulls out of presidential race, retains ministerial seat|url=https://punchng.com/breaking-ngige-pulls-out-of-presidential-race-retains-ministerial-seat/|last=Oyero|first=Kayode|access-date=2024-08-29|work=The Punch}}

Background

A medical doctor by profession, Ngige graduated from the University of Nigeria-Nsukka in 1979.{{cite news|last=Ezigbo|first=Onyebuchi|title=Chris Ngige: I Married as an Overgrown Adult At 41|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/01/11/chris-ngige-i-married-as-an-overgrown-adult-at-41/|work=This Day|date=2020-01-11|access-date=2021-11-13}}{{cite news|date=2019-08-21|title=For the Record: Official citations of Buhari's ministers, SGF|work=Premium Times|url=https://premiumtimesng.com/features-and-interviews/347874-for-the-record-official-citations-of-buharis-ministers-sgf.html|access-date=2022-06-23}} Chris immediately went into the civil service, serving at the National Assembly and state house clinics at different times. He retired in 1998 as a deputy director in the Federal Ministry of Health.{{cite news|last=Aziken|first=Emmanuel|title=Anambra: The four titans|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/anambra-four-titans/|work=Vanguard|date=2013-11-14|access-date=2019-01-28}}

Political career

Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige entered politics, becoming a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).{{cite web|url=https://labour.gov.ng/the-honourable-minister/|title=The Honourable Minister – Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment|access-date=2020-04-30}}{{cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/opinion/ngige-at-63-celebrating-an-exception/|work=The Guardian|access-date=2024-08-29|title=Ngige at 63: Celebrating an exception|last=Anyadiora|first=Justus|date=2015-08-13}} In 1999, he was Assistant National Secretary and Zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South East region of Nigeria.{{cite web|date=2018-05-25|title=Chris Ngige Biography and Detailed Profile|url=http://www.politiciansdata.com/content/chris-ngige/|access-date=2021-01-15|website=Politicians Data}}

In 2003, he was elected governor of Anambra State in controversial circumstances.{{cite web|title=Nigerian States|url=https://www.worldstatesmen.org/Nigeria_federal_states.htm|access-date=2021-01-22|website=World Statesmen}} He quickly broke ranks with his political godfather, Chris Uba the brother of Andy Uba, after an unsuccessful attempt on 10 July 2003 to have him removed from office, through a fabricated letter of resignation which the state assembly accepted.{{cite news|last=Jason|first=Pini|title=State police and scare mongers (2)|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/09/state-police-and-scare-mongers-2/|work=Vanguard|date=2012-09-04|access-date=2016-03-08}} In August, 2006, an Election Tribunal led by Justice Nabaruma nullified Ngige's 2003 victory.{{cite news|date=2015-10-07|last=Lawal|first=Fuad|url=https://www.pulse.ng/news/politics/ministerial-list-8-things-to-know-about-chris-ngige/0dl2bqp|title=8 things to know about Chris Ngige|access-date=2024-08-29|work=Pulse}} He appealed to the Nigerian Federal Court of Appeal, but the annulment was confirmed on 15 March 2006, in a judgment awarding victory to Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).{{cite news|date=2009-11-05|title=Anambra: The judgments so far|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/11/anambra-the-judgments-so-far/|access-date=2021-01-22|work=Vanguard}} No further appeals were possible, and Ngige accepted the judgment in good faith, calling on the people of Anambra to give their support to his successor.{{cite web|author=Temple Chima Ubochi|title=Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State: Consistency; Perseverance [sic] and Patience Are Worthy Virtues|url=https://nigeriaworld.com/articles/2007/jun/171.html|website=nigeriaworld.com|date=2007-06-17|access-date=2016-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308232733/https://nigeriaworld.com/articles/2007/jun/171.html|archive-date=2016-03-08|url-status=dead}}

Following Peter Obi's subsequent impeachment, Ngige attempted to participate in state governorship elections in April 2007, but was frustrated by the Independent National Electoral Commission{{cite news|date=2019-02-16|title=Nigeria election 2019: Poll halted in last-minute drama|agency=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47263122|access-date=2021-01-15}} and federal 'disqualification', even after a Federal High Court had voided the disqualification. In the final event, Obi's impeachment was overturned anyway, and Obi served out his four years.{{cite news|last=Ezekwere|first=Ijeoma|date=2007-02-09|title=Nigeria reinstates impeached Anambra state governor|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL09710848|access-date=2021-01-22}} At the time, Ngige was also severely criticized for appearing naked at the dreaded Okija voodoo shrine during his campaign to be made governor.{{cite news|date=2015-08-25|last=Ujumadu|first=Vincent|title='Okija Shrine: No longer a bee-hive of activities for politicians|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/okija-shrine-no-longer-a-bee-hive-of-activities-for-politicians/|access-date=2024-08-29|work=Vanguard}}

On 6 February 2010, Ngige again contested for the governorship of Anambra State.{{cite news|date=2009-10-10|title=Anambra 2010: Meet the candidates|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/10/anambra-2010-meet-the-candidates/|access-date=2024-08-29|work=Vanguard|last=Ujumadu|first=Vincent}} Other notable politicians who contested with him included Andy Uba, Charles Soludo, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, Ralph Nwosu, and the incumbent governor, Peter Obi. In all, there were 25 candidates for that election. Peter Obi won that election and started his second term as the governor of Anambra State.{{cite news|url=http://newsday.com.ng/10-things-to-know-about-chris-ngige/|title=10 things to know about Chris Ngige|work=Newsday|date=2015-10-07|access-date=2016-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007204418/http://newsday.com.ng/10-things-to-know-about-chris-ngige/|archive-date=2015-10-07|url-status=dead}}

In April 2011, Ngige ran for election for senator of Anambra Central, on the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) platform.{{cite web|title=Ngige Wins Anambra Central Senatorial election|url=http://www.afripol.org/afripol/item/274-ngige-wins-anambra-central-senatorial-election.html|access-date=2021-01-15|website=www.afripol.org|archive-date=2021-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304061846/http://afripol.org/afripol/item/274-ngige-wins-anambra-central-senatorial-election.html|url-status=dead}} After voting problems in some areas of the constituency on 9 April, the election in these areas was held on 25 April and Ngige was declared the winner over former Minister of Information and Communications Professor Dora Akunyili of the APGA, with 69,765 votes to Akunyili's 69,292.

Ngige's tenure as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ended following his defeat in the 2015 election by Hon. Mrs Uche Ekwunife who was sworn in as the senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly of Nigeria.

On 11 November 2015, Ngige was named minister of Labour and Employment by President Muhammadu Buhari.{{cite web|date=2015-11-11|title=See full list of Buhari's ministers and their portfolios|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/see-full-list-of-buharis-ministers-and-their-portfolios/|access-date=2021-01-15|work=Vanguard}} In 2019, Chris Ngige was nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari as a returning minister for screening by the National Assembly.{{cite news|url=https://punchng.com/ministerial-nominee-i-left-pdp-when-it-was-not-doing-well-says-ngige/|title=Ministerial nominee: I left PDP when the vehicle was rickety, says Ngige|last=Abimbola|first=Oluwakemi|date=2019-07-25|work=The Punch|access-date=2024-08-29}} On 21 August 2019, he was sworn in by the president{{cite news|title=Just In: Full List: Buhari assigns portfolios to new Ministers|url=https://oak.tv/newstrack/full-list-buhari-assigns-portfolios-ministers/|access-date=2019-08-26|agency=Oak TV Newstrack|date=2019-08-21|archive-date=2019-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826102219/https://oak.tv/newstrack/full-list-buhari-assigns-portfolios-ministers/|url-status=dead}} as the Minister of Labour and Employment.{{cite news|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/fashola-gets-works-as-ngige-amaechi-lai-retain-portfolios/|title=Fashola gets Works as Ngige, Amaechi, Lai retain portfolios|date=2019-08-22|work=The Nation|access-date=2019-08-24}}

On 19 April 2022, Ngige declared interest to run for the post of the President of the Republic of Nigeria under the All Progressive Congress (APC)'s banner. The experienced politician, who had served as Governor of Anambra State, Senator and Minister described himself as "jack of all trade and masters of all".{{cite web|url=https://newsaboutnigeria.com/2022/04/19/2023-election-senator-chris-ngige-declares-interest-to-contest-for-president/|title=2023 Election: Senator Chris Ngige Declares Interest to Contest for President|date=2022-04-19|website=News About Nigeria}}

Achievements

During his tenure in public service, Chris Ngige recorded several notable accomplishments:

Industrial Dispute Resolution: As Minister of Labour and Employment, Ngige successfully resolved over 1,600 industrial disputes through conciliation, thereby reducing the number of cases referred to the National Industrial Court.{{cite news |title=Ngige’s labour legacy: What next after 8 years as minister? |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/05/ngiges-labour-legacy-what-next-after-8-years-as-minister/ |work=Vanguard |date=21 May 2023 |access-date=22 June 2025}}

International Labour Organization (ILO) Leadership: He chaired the ILO Government Group from 2019 to 2020 and facilitated Nigeria’s return to the ILO Governing Board after a decade-long absence.{{cite news |title=Ngige emerges ILO government group chair |url=https://guardian.ng/news/ngige-emerges-ilo-government-group-chair/ |work=The Guardian |date=18 October 2019 |access-date=22 June 2025}}

Minimum Wage Implementation: Ngige played a key role in negotiating and implementing Nigeria’s ₦30,000 minimum wage in 2019, helping to avert a nationwide strike.{{cite news |title=Minimum wage: FG, labour unions reach agreement |url=https://punchng.com/minimum-wage-fg-labour-unions-reach-agreement/ |work=The Punch |date=19 October 2019 |access-date=22 June 2025}}

Institutional Reforms: He established the Labour Market Information System (LMIS), Labour Migration Resource Centres, and the e-NSITF digital portal to improve transparency within the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).{{cite news |title=Eight years of reform in labour ministry – Ngige |url=https://leadership.ng/eight-years-of-reform-in-labour-ministry-ngige/ |work=Leadership |date=20 May 2023 |access-date=22 June 2025}}

National Honour: In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023.{{cite news |title=Full list: Buhari confers national honours on 339 Nigerians, friends of Nigeria |url=https://punchng.com/full-list-buhari-confers-national-honours-on-339-nigerians-friends-of-nigeria/ |work=The Punch |date=28 May 2023 |access-date=22 June 2025}}

Medical and Administrative Leadership: Before entering politics, he rose to the rank of Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Health and served as President of the University of Nigeria College of Medicine Alumni Association from 2008 to 2014.{{cite news |title=Ngige led UNCOMA from 2008 to 2014 – Alumni Secretariat |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/ngige-led-uncoma-from-2008-to-2014-alumni-secretariat/ |work=The Sun |date=12 June 2014 |access-date=22 June 2025}}