Bamanga Usman Jada is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), appointed in October 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR). He is recognized as a forward-thinking technocrat driving reforms aligned with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the oil and gas sector.
Upon assuming office, he introduced a strategic 7-Point roadmap focused on Efficiency and Trust, Infrastructure Excellence, Regulatory Modernization, Local Content Empowerment, Sustainability and Resilience, Investor-focus and Welfare. This agenda aims to transform OGFZA into a world-class regulatory Authority and strengthens Nigeria’s position as a global energy investment destination.
Under his leadership, OGFZA’s total attracted investment has ramped up to $30 billion and has facilitated ongoing projects capable of generating over 3 million direct and indirect jobs, thereby significantly addressing unemployment and skills development in the energy sector.
Key achievements include the establishment of new Oil and Gas Free Zones. These developments have expanded OGFZA-regulated free zones that are enhancing national energy security, industrialization, and maritime logistics infrastructure and safety.
Jada has also enhanced technology transfer and innovation, positioning Nigeria as a strategic hub for international oil companies and local adoption of hi-tech skills and expertise.
Academically, Bamanga Usman Jada holds a Diploma in Business Administration (Federal University of Technology, Yola) , a B.Sc. in Economics (Federal University of Technology, Yola), an M.Sc. in Oil and Gas Operations Management (University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK), and an MBA in Marketing (Nasarawa State University, Keffi), equipping him with strong expertise in economics, business strategy, oil and gas operations and marketing. He built a strong cross-sector career in banking, energy regulation, and electricity distribution; gaining broad expertise in finance, administration, procurement, and strategic leadership before joining OGFZA.
He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Diplomacy and Management.
The OGFZA boss has received a myriad of awards in recognition of his leadership, and impact on public sector efficiency and ease of doing business.
In recognition of his exceptional leadership and transformative impact at OGFZA, Jada has received numerous prestigious awards:
- CEO of the Year 2024 – LEADERSHIP Media Group: Acknowledging his outstanding executive leadership and strategic direction.
- CEO of the Year 2024 – Blueprint Newspaper: Recognizing his excellence in public sector management and service delivery.
- Distinguished GovTech Trailblazer Award – Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) 2024: Honoring his innovative use of technology in government operations.
- Best Federal MDA in Ease of Doing Business Automation – BPSR 2024: Acknowledging OGFZA’s leadership in process automation and reducing bureaucratic barriers for investors.
- Distinguished Leadership in Nigerian Oil and Gas Free Zones 2024 by Nigeria Oil and Gas Forum and Awards (NOGFA)
- Man of the Year and Excellence Award 2024 – Top 10 Magazine: Celebrating his exemplary foresight and transformative leadership within his first year at OGFZA.
- Reformation of National Values Personality of the Year 2024 – Journalists for Sustainable Initiative: Recognizing his contribution to rebuilding national values and institutional integrity.
- Excellence in Public Service Awards 2025 in recognition of Jada’s stellar performance in Public Service – BusinnessDay Public Service Awards
- Distinguished Award of Excellence 2025 by Salvage Africa
Hailing from Adamawa State, Jada’s rise reflects merit and professional excellence. His leadership philosophy emphasizes transparency, efficiency, innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth, positioning him as a key driver of progress in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and public institutions.
SIMON OVBE AKPADAKA: Is the General Manager in charge of the Finance Department at the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Akpadaka Ovbe Simon, FCA, is a seasoned finance professional with over two decades of experience, predominantly in the oil and gas industry. He holds an MSc in International Accounting & Finance from the University of Liverpool, UK, and an HND in Accounting from Lagos State Polytechnic. In addition to these, he has expanded his expertise through a Certificate in Financial Markets from Yale University and a Certificate in Digital Disruption: Digital Transformation Strategies from the University of Cambridge, Judge Business School (Executive Education). Ovbe Simon is also a distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), an ICAN Merit Award holder, and an alumnus of the Executive Education program at Harvard Kennedy School. His career spans both the private and public sectors, with notable leadership roles in OGFZA, including heading the Internal Audit, Warri Free Zone, and Lagos Office.
ADAMU MAMMAN KONTAGORA: Kontagora is the General Manager and Head of Department, Trade and Investment. He is a graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He had worked in the public service for six years before joining the OGFZA. He has attended and presented papers in many local and International conferences, Exhibitions and Trade and Investments seminars. Kontagora was part of the effort that brought the international conference on PRACTICAL LOCAL CONTENT by the UK group, CWC, to Onne, Rivers State, in 2010.
IVUOMA MICHAEL OKORO: Mrs Okoro is the General Manager/Head of Department, Policy, Planning, Research and Statistics Department (PPRS). She had served in the Legal Department /Board Secretariat and at the Human Resources Unit of the Administration Department.
She holds a Professional Diploma in Human Resource Management from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Post Graduate Diploma in Management, University of Calabar; B.Sc. (Hons) in Business Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; National Certificate in Education (NCE), Business Studies, Alvan Ikoku College of Education.
Before she joined OGFZA in 2004, she worked with Intels Nigeria Limited, Onne, Rivers State; Pauliza Computers, Lagos; Ujamma Consultants Ltd. (Management Consultants), Lagos; Nigeria Bottling Company (Coca-Cola), Jos, carrying out administrative/Cost Control functions.
Ivuoma is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM).
CYNTHIA EGURIDU: Mrs Eguridu is the Chief Operating Officer (C.O.O) of Freezone Global Investments Limited (the SPV of OGFZA). Freezone Global Investments Limited (www.fzgil.org), is the investment management/commercial subsidiary of OGFZA.
A member of the Harvard University alumnus community with an Executive Certificate in Public Policy, she holds a Master of Laws degree (LLM) in International Commercial Law from the University of Salford England, in addition to an MBA from London School of Business and Finance, M.A in Marketing & Communications and both B.A & MSc degrees in Economics from the University of Leicester, England.
Whilst managing a Business Consultancy & Advisory firm in London, United Kingdom, she was headhunted by the Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria (SEC) to return to Nigeria and serve as a Special Adviser to the Director General. She has held a variety of Investment Advisory roles for many African Governments such as Sierra Leone, Uganda, Rwanda & Nigeria.
Eguridu was awarded the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ Award by Women in Business (AWIB) United Kingdom for two consecutive years. She received the UK ‘Individual Merit Award – for ‘Outstanding Performance’ and is a Life Member, SUNTUK Think Tank (Inns of Court London Think Tank on sustainable development in Emerging Economies).
Ideriah Victor Stanley K.: Mr Victor is the Deputy General Manager (DGM) and Head of the Department of Administration Oil and Gas Free zones Authority. In his current role, he is responsible for overseeing various administrative functions and ensuring smooth administrative process within the organization.
He holds a BSc degree in Business Administration, with a marketing option, from Rivers State University.
Mr. Ideriah is a fellow of the Global peace and conflict Management, an alumnus of the Washington School of protocol and Associate member of institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (ISMN).
Throughout his career, at different times Mr. Ideriah has held various prestigious roles including protocol Officer, River State Government House, Chief Protocol Officer, Rivers State House of Assembly, First Head of Protocol, OGFZA, Head public Affairs Unit, Head, Heliconia Park and Head of Facility Management (OGFZA).
MRS. EKEH, CONSTANCE AWELECHUKWU: is the Deputy General Manager/HOD, Operations and Technical Services, in the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, OGFZA.
Mrs Ekeh holds a Higher National Diploma, HND in Mass Communication, from Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, in 1998. She went on to advance her studies at the University of Calabar, where she obtained a postgraduate Diploma in Marketing and then proceeded to bag a B.Sc. in Management from the University of Science and Technology, UST, Port Harcourt.
Although Mrs Ekeh began her career in insurance at Niger Insurance Company, she shifted to logistics when she joined the services of Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, OGFZA, Onne in 2001.
At OGFZA, Mrs Ekeh has risen through the ranks. She started as a Marketing Officer (AUGUST 2001 – MAY 2005), then rose to Credit Control Officer, Manager Invoicing Unit, Head, Budget Unit, Assistant General Manager Operations, and now Head of Operations and Technical Services.
Mrs Ekeh also holds an MBA in Management (University of Calabar, 2006), a Micro Master’s in Procurement (Malaysia University), and the following certifications
- Certified International Trade Logistics Specialist,
- Certified International Trade Logistics Manager,
- Certified Procurement Manager
She is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marine, Port and Terminal Management Professionals, (USA) as well as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Shipping, Fellow of the African Centre for Supply Chain (ACSC),
Platinum Fellow, Institute of Leadership Manpower Development, UK, (ILMMDUK) and recipient of an Honorary Doctorate in Transformational Leadership, Social Works and Community Development (Honoris Causa).
MOMOH SANI SHAIBU: Shaibu is the AGM/ HOD Registry holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL. B (Hons.), from Bayero University Kano, He was called to the Nigeria Bar, in 2000.
He began his career as a private legal practitioner at En-consult, Engineering firm in Kano where he served as the company secretary before moving to Diko and Mahmood law firm.
He also served as a Senior Legislative Aide at the National Assembly Service Commission from where he joined the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, OGFZA in 2009.
Momoh Sani Shaibu is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, international dispute resolutions, international investments and investor state arbitrations. He also obtained certificates in Management and leadership training, Trade and investment promotion, Advanced procurement management and ease of doing business.
IGBIKS TAMUNOSEIPIRIYE, ESQ: is the Principal Manager/HOD in charge of Legal Services and the governing board secretary, Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, OGFZA.
Mr Tamunoseipiriye obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) Degree from Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, then PROCEEDED to the Nigerian Law School, Abuja, after which he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2004.
He began his PROFESSIONAL CAREER as a Lawyer at P, NWANKWOALA AND CO, where he practiced for over a decade before joining OGFZA in 2016 as a Manager in the Legal Department.
At OGFZA, Mr Tamunoseipiriye has served in different capacities, from Senior Legal Officer with the Special Purpose Vehicle Department (SPV), to being appointed in 2025 as the HOD of LEGAL/BOARD SECRETARIAT.
He is a Professional Fellow/Member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Okrika Born Lawyers (OBL)
During his time in Practise, Mr Tamunoseipiriye served on the Advisory Board of P-Mart Integrated Service Nigeria Limited and Joint Overseas Trading Company Nigeria Limited.