Abiodun Essiet (born 3 January 1986) is a Nigerian nurse, gender activist, community development worker, and politician. She currently serves as the senior special assistant to the president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, on Community Engagement.
Early life and education Abiodun Essiet was born in Oyo Town, Oyo State, Nigeria, and grew up in Ibadan. She attended Ifeoluwa Nursery and Primary School and later Queens School, Ibadan, for her junior secondary education. She completed her secondary education at United Missionary Comprehensive College, Molete, Ibadan, where she obtained her Senior Secondary School Certificate in 2002. Essiet earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BNSC) Degree from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, Osun State. In 2016, she obtained a master's degree in public health from the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. She also holds a Diploma in Development Leadership and a Certificate in Community Development Leadership and Peace Building from Coady International Institute, Canada. She is pursuing a PhD in International Development at the University of International Business and Economics, Beijing.
Career Professional career Essiet has experience in community development, human rights, and gender advocacy, with a professional background in public service and politics. She serves on the board of the Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls and a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). She has been involved in efforts to promote Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Nigeria, working to address resistance and build support for this aspect of public health and education.Through her NGO, the Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls, she works to combat human trafficking, support vulnerable populations particularly women and girls and address sexual and gender-based violence in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Political career Essiet transitioned from civil society activism to full-time politics in 2016, driven by a desire to bridge the significant gap between those in power and those governed at the local level. In 2018, she contested for the Abuja Municipal Area Council elections for Councillorship in Orozo ward and Abuja Municipal Area Chaimanship Council election as AMAC Vice Chairman in 2022. In May 2022, she was appointed and served as the Senior Special Assistant to the Honorable Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Abdullahi Candido on ICT, Donor Agencies and Civil Societies Essiet was instrumental in driving numerous initiatives that strengthened the relationship between the government and various community stakeholders in her role. In 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Essiet as Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement for the North Central Region of Nigeria As part of her commitment to community development, enhancing governance, and ensuring effective service delivery, she utilized her office to establish the Citizens' Assembly for the North Central Region in Nigeria, a platform facilitating citizen engagement and active participation in the governance process.
Speaking engagement The International Mayors Forum in Dakar, Senegal The Annual Young Women's Political Leadership Summit in Zambia. African Women Leaders Forum (AWLF)
Personal life Essiet is married to Late Brig Gen Victor Udoeka Essiet, and the couple has three children.
Fellowships Fellow, Canvassity PAN African Youth Democracy Program (2018). Certificate in Advocacy - Increasing Citizen Voices and Agency, Coady International Institute, Canada. Mandela Washington Fellow.
Awards and recognition Best Head of State Award, Model ECOWAS Summit, Ghana (2018). Community Impact Leadership Award, Fourth Nigeria Service Awards.
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