How Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Discouraged Me From Japa — Osita Chidoka

Former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Osita Chidoka, has revealed how a conversation with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stopped him from leaving Nigeria permanently after a period of political disappointment and personal exhaustion.

Chidoka made the disclosure in a post on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday, recounting the encounter during a speech at the presentation of a book by Paul Nwabuikwu.

According to him, the conversation took place in Washington, D.C., in early 2020, when he had become disillusioned with Nigeria’s political and judicial climate and was considering taking up an international appointment or returning to ExxonMobil.

Chidoka, who fondly referred to Okonjo-Iweala as “Aunty Ngoo,” described her as a longstanding mentor who supported him during his years as Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and later as a member of the Federal Executive Council.

“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,” he wrote.

He added that after joining the Federal Executive Council, she became “something of a guardian angel to the younger members of the Council,” noting that he and Dr Nurudeen Mohammed “benefited immensely from her wisdom and generosity.”

Chidoka said the 2019 general elections took a heavy toll on him. He disclosed that he played a key role in reconciling former President Olusegun Obasanjo with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, later managed the Atiku/Obi campaign Situation Room, and served as the Peoples Democratic Party’s principal witness at the Presidential Election Tribunal.

“When it was all over, I was exhausted and deeply saddened by the outcome,” he stated.

He subsequently travelled to the United States, where his wife had begun a PhD programme, intending to shuttle between Nigeria and the US while deciding on the next phase of his life.

However, Chidoka said a judicial pronouncement on a governorship election in early 2020 deepened his frustration and convinced him that his political journey had reached a dead end.

“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,” he wrote.

Seeking guidance, he visited Okonjo-Iweala at her office at Gavi on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., where he informed her that he was ready to accept an international role or return to ExxonMobil, where he had previously been granted an extended leave of absence.

“She listened quietly,” Chidoka recalled.

He then quoted the former finance minister as saying, “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.”

Chidoka admitted that the counsel was not what he wanted to hear at the time.

“It was not the advice I wanted to hear. But it was exactly the advice I needed,” he said.

He said he left her office, reflected deeply on the conversation, and eventually returned to Abuja.

Looking back, the former minister said the decision changed the course of his life, leading to the establishment of the Athena Centre, Mekaria Institute and ClearPath Media, as well as his pursuit of a law degree and other opportunities for public service.

“One conversation changed the trajectory of my life,” he wrote.

He concluded the post with a message of gratitude: “Thank you, Aunty Ngoo.”

The revelation has since drawn attention on social media, with many Nigerians reacting to Chidoka’s account as a rare personal insight into the influence of Okonjo-Iweala on public officials and the broader debate around “japa,” the growing trend of Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad.