BAMANGA USMAN JADA
MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
OIL AND GAS FREE ZONES AUTHORITY (OGFZA)
Bamanga Usman Jada appointed in October 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR). He is recognized as an astute technocrat with innovative ideas driving reforms that align 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 aims to transform OGFZA into a world-class regulatory Authority and strengthens Nigeria’s position as a global energy investment hub.
Under his leadership, OGFZA’s 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 includes and not limited to 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.
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 – BusinessDay 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.
ADEKUNLE AJAYI: Ajayi is HOD, Operations and Technical Services. He was the Acting Managing Director from October 8, 2019 till December 22, 2019. He is a graduate of Accounting and holds an MBA in Management from Rivers State University of Science & Technology, Port-Harcourt. He is a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. He worked at various times with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Akintola Williams (Chartered Accountants) and Prodeco Nigeria Limited. He joined the services of OGFZA in 2001 as Manager (Finance & Accounts).
OBI AGUSIOBO: Obi Agusiobo is the General Manager/HOD in charge of Legal Services and the governing board secretary, OGFZA.
He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL. B (Hons.), University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus and Certificate of Call to the Bar, Nigeria Law School, Lagos. He was called to the Nigeria Bar, in 1991. He began his career as a private legal practitioner.
He joined the Federal Ministry of Justice in 1997 where he served in various capacities.
He has served as Assistant Legal Adviser in the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Assistant Director, Legal and Prosecution Department and Head of Reforms Unit of NAPTIP.
He was the Deputy Director, Legal Services in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and He is an alumnus of the International Visitors and Leadership Programme, organized by the United States Department of State, Washington DC.
He was a member of the Federal Government Inter-Ministerial Committees of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing, respectively, between 2011 and January, 2020.
He has attended various bilateral and multilateral meetings, local and international conferences, workshops and Expert Working Group meetings organized by various international organizations, including Offices of the United Nations, as well as the governments of The Netherlands, Austria and Germany.
SIMON OVBE AKPADAKA: Is the Deputy General Manager in charge of the Finance Department at the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFA), 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 a Deputyt 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 before joining the staff of OGFZA. He has attended and presented papers in many local and International conferences, Exhibitions and Trade and Investments seminars among which are:
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 a Deputy General Manager/the Head, Policy, Planning, Research and Statistics Department. 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).
MOMOH SANI SHAIBU: Shaibu is Principal Manager/ 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.