How Okonjo-Iweala Persuaded Me To Abandon Japa Plan — Chidoka

A former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has revealed how the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, persuaded him to abandon plans to leave Nigeria permanently after becoming disillusioned with the country’s political landscape.

Chidoka made the revelation while speaking at the presentation of Paul Nwabuikwu’s book, recounting for the first time a private conversation he had with Okonjo-Iweala in Washington, D.C., in 2020.

According to him, the former Minister of Finance had long served as a mentor, supporting him during his tenure as Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and later as Minister of Aviation.

He said the aftermath of the 2019 general elections, in which he played key roles in reconciling former President Olusegun Obasanjo with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, managing the Atiku/Obi campaign Situation Room, and serving as the PDP’s principal witness at the Presidential Election Tribunal, left him emotionally drained.

Chidoka explained that after travelling to the United States, where his wife had begun a PhD programme, he contemplated accepting an international appointment or returning to ExxonMobil after losing faith in Nigeria’s political system following a governorship election judgment in early 2020.

“I went to see Aunty Ngoo in her office at Gavi on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., and told her I was ready to accept an international role or return to ExxonMobil,” he recalled.

According to Chidoka, Okonjo-Iweala listened before offering advice that changed the course of his life.

“Osita, Nigeria needs people like you. Do not allow life’s inevitable setbacks to define your choices. Go back to Nigeria. Stay in the trenches. Don’t give up.”

He said although it was not the advice he wanted to hear, it was exactly what he needed at the time.

Chidoka said he returned to Abuja after reflecting on the conversation and has since gone on to establish the Athena Centre, Mekaria Institute and ClearPath Media, while also earning a law degree and continuing his public service engagements.

“One conversation changed the trajectory of my life,” he said, expressing gratitude to Okonjo-Iweala for encouraging him to remain in Nigeria.