29/07/2026
How Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Discouraged me from Japa
At Paul Nwabuikwu's book presentation yesterday, I shared a story publicly for the first time about how Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stopped me from "japa."
Aunty Ngoo, as I have always called her, was Minister of Finance when I served as Corps Marshal of the FRSC. Despite the country's fiscal constraints, she was always willing to support the FRSC whenever we had genuine funding needs.
When I joined the Federal Executive Council, she became something of a guardian angel to the younger members of the Council. Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed and I benefited immensely from her wisdom and generosity. She was, and remains, a natural mentor.
The 2019 elections took a great deal out of me. I played a key role in reconciling President Olusegun Obasanjo and his erstwhile Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. I later managed the Atiku/Obi campaign Situation Room and served as the PDP's principal witness at the Presidential Election Tribunal.
When it was all over, I was exhausted and deeply saddened by the outcome.
I travelled to the United States, where my wife had begun her PhD programme. My plan was to shuttle between Nigeria and the US while I figured out the next phase of my life.
Then, in early 2020, a judicial pronouncement on a governorship election left me completely disillusioned.
After leaving office as Minister of Aviation, I had turned down a number of international opportunities because I had resolved to build a political career in Nigeria. But after that setback, I felt I had reached the end of the road.
I went to see Aunty Ngoo in her office at Gavi, on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. I told her I was now ready to accept an international role or perhaps return to ExxonMobil, where I had been granted an extended leave of absence when I became Corps Marshal and where the door remained open.
She listened quietly.
Then she said something I have never forgotten:
"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."
It was not the advice I wanted to hear. But it was exactly the advice I needed.
I left her office, reflected deeply on our conversation, and returned to Abuja.
Today, when I look at what has emerged since then, the Athena Centre, Mekaria Institute, ClearPath Media, my law degree, and the many opportunities to continue serving our country, I often think back to that conversation.
One conversation changed the trajectory of my life.
Thank you, Aunty Ngoo.
Osita Chidoka
29 July 2026
