Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah


Uchechukwu S. Ogah is the current Nigerian Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development. An oil magnate, entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist, Ogah is the President of Master Energy Group, a conglomerate with over 15 subsidiaries and interests across a variety of industries. Ogah holds the Nigerian national honour, the Officer of the Order of the Niger. He was nominated for a ministerial appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari and was later appointed as Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development on Wednesday, August 21, 2019.

Early life and education

Ogah was born to Chief Wilson and Ezinne Pauline Ogah of Onuaku Uturu,Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State.
Ogah attended Ishiagu High School, after which he worked at West African Examination Council from 1986–89, before he proceeded to the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu State where he obtained Upper Credit at Ordinary National Diploma in 1992 and Distinction at the Higher National Diploma Level in 1995 in Accounting. He also attended University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in 2005. He also has a Bachelor of Science degree from Ogun State University and a Masters in Business Administration from University of Lagos. Ogah obtained his ACA in 2007. He is a Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

Philanthropy

In December, 2001, Ogah established Uche Ogah Foundation which aims to provide empowerment, poverty alleviation, and providing education for the less privileged.
He had sponsored free medical services in different parts of Nigeria, in addition to building and equipping a number of modern hospitals in his native community, Uturu and other communities in Nigeria. He also partnered with a number of medical centres, including the Hopeville Rehabilitation Centre, to fabricate artificial limbs and calipers for people with a disability.

Ministerial appointment

Ogah was nominated for ministerial appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari on July 23,2019 along with 42 other nominees. During his senatorial screening on July 24, he narrated his plans on how to work on Nigerian refineries as well as his plans for the Nigerian currency rate.
Ogah was confirmed for ministerial appointment by the Senate on July 30 and on August 21, 2019 was confirmed and sworn in as the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development