Stella Okotete is a Nigerian lawyer, public administrator, and former executive director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM). She is also the national women leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC). She has been nominated by President Bola Tinubu as one of his ministerial candidates for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Early Life and Education
Stella Erhuvwuoghene Okotete was born on April 20, 1984, in Delta State, Nigeria. She hails from Ekrerhavwen-Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. She attended Federal Government Girls College in Benin City, where she graduated in 2000. She then obtained a diploma in law from Rivers State College of Arts and Science in Port Harcourt in 2002.
She completed her bachelor’s degree in international studies and diplomacy from Benson Idahosa University in Benin City in 2006. She also holds a master’s degree in peace studies and conflict resolution from the National Open University of Nigeria and a certificate for emerging leaders from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in Boston, USA.
Parents & Siblings
Stella Okotete was born on April 20, 1984, in Delta State, Nigeria. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Okotete, who are natives of Ekrerhavwen-Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. Her parents are devout Christians and members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
They raised Stella and her siblings with strong moral values and a sense of responsibility. Stella’s father is a retired civil servant, while her mother is a trader and a caterer. They are both supportive of Stella’s education and career aspirations.
Stella Okotete has four siblings: two brothers and two sisters. She is the second child and the first daughter of her parents. Her elder brother is a medical doctor, while her younger brother is an engineer. Her sisters are both entrepreneurs and married with children. Stella shares a close bond with her siblings and often visits them during holidays and special occasions. She also helps them financially and morally whenever they need her assistance.
Career
Stella Okotete began her career as a legal practitioner and a human rights activist. She was involved in several cases of human rights violations, especially against women and children. She also served as a special assistant and adviser to the executive governor of Delta State on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) from 2011 to 2015. She was responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the MDGs projects in the state.
In 2017, she was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as the executive director of business development at NEXIM Bank. She was in charge of developing and implementing strategies for promoting and facilitating non-oil exports from Nigeria. She also supervised the regional offices of the bank and coordinated the trade information system. She played a key role in facilitating the export of agricultural products, solid minerals, services, and creative industries from Nigeria to other countries.
She resigned from NEXIM Bank in 2021 to join politics. She contested for the senatorial seat of Delta Central Senatorial District under the platform of APC but lost to the incumbent senator, Ovie Omo-Agege. She was later appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the national women leader of the APC CECPC, which is the interim leadership body of the ruling party. She is also one of the ministerial nominees submitted by President Tinubu to the Senate for confirmation.
Awards & Achievements
Stella Okotete has received several awards and recognitions for her contributions to national development and women’s empowerment. Some of them include:
- The Most Outstanding Female Public Servant Award by Women In Leadership Series (WILS) in 2018.
- The African Women Leadership Award by the Centre for Economic and Leadership Development (CELD) in 2019.
- The Most Influential Woman In Export Finance Award by Global Trade Review (GTR) in 2020.
- The Woman Of The Year Award by Nigerian Women Achievers Awards (NWAA) in 2021.
Stella Okotete Wiki | Biodata
| Name | Stella Okotete |
| Real Name | Stella Erhuvwuoghene Okotete |
| Birthday | April 20, 1984 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 39 years |
| Birthplace | Delta State, Nigeria |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Profession | Former Executive Director of NEXIM Bank |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Religion | Christian |
| Ethnicity | African Mixed |
| Education | Harvard Kennedy School Benson Idahosa University |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (approx) |
| Weight | 70 kg (approx) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Husband | Will Update |
| Kids | Not Known |
| Net Worth | $1.5 million (approx.) |
| Social Media | Website: stellaokotete.com Twitter: OkoteteStella Facebook: eokotete LinkedIn: stella-okotete Instagram: stellaokotete |
| Homepage | Dreshare.com |
Personal Life, Husband & Kids
Stella Okotete is married to a businessman and philanthropist, who prefers to keep his identity private. They have been married for over 10 years and have three children together. Stella Okotete is a devout Christian and a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
She is also an avid reader, writer, and speaker. She has authored several books and articles on various topics, such as leadership, governance, gender equality, peacebuilding, and export development.
Latest News 2023
Stella Okotete is a Nigerian politician, lawyer, and former executive director of NEXIM Bank. She is also the national women leader of APC CECPC and a ministerial nominee by President Bola Tinubu. However, her nomination has been met with controversy and opposition from some quarters, who have accused her of forging her academic credentials and violating the code of conduct for public officers.
According to some reports, Stella Okotete claimed to have a diploma in law from Rivers State College of Arts and Science, a bachelor’s degree in international studies and diplomacy from Benson Idahosa University, a master’s degree in peace studies and conflict resolution from the National Open University of Nigeria, and a certificate for emerging leaders from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. However, some of her critics have alleged that she did not attend or complete some of these programs and that she presented fake certificates to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Some of the allegations against Stella Okotete are:
- She did not graduate from Rivers State College of Arts and Science, as she failed some courses and did not retake them.
- She did not enroll or attend the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, as there is no record of her admission or attendance in the school’s database.
- She did not obtain a master’s degree from the National Open University of Nigeria, as she did not meet the minimum requirements or pass the examinations.
- She falsified her date of birth, as she was born in 1974, not 1984, as she claimed.
These allegations have been made by some civil society groups, opposition parties, and individuals, who have petitioned the Senate to disqualify Stella Okotete from being confirmed as a minister. They have also called for her prosecution for perjury, forgery, and breach of trust.
Stella Okotete has denied these allegations and maintained that she has genuine and verifiable academic qualifications. She has also accused her detractors of being motivated by envy, malice, and political vendetta. She has challenged them to provide evidence to back up their claims or face legal action.
The Senate has yet to make a decision on Stella Okotete’s nomination, as it is still conducting its screening and confirmation process. The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has assured Nigerians that the Senate will be thorough and fair in its assessment of the nominees. He has also urged Nigerians to be patient and supportive of the process.
Stella Okotete is one of the 28 ministerial nominees submitted by President Bola Tinubu to the Senate for confirmation. She is expected to represent Delta State in the Federal Executive Council if confirmed. She is also seen as one of Tinubu’s loyalists and allies in his bid to consolidate his power and influence in the country.
Some Facts About Stella Okotete
- Okotete is a lawyer, public administrator, and former executive director of NEXIM Bank.
- She is the national women leader of APC CECPC and a ministerial nominee by President Bola Tinubu.
- Stella has a diploma in law, a bachelor’s degree in international studies and diplomacy, a master’s degree in peace studies and conflict resolution, and a certificate for emerging leaders from Harvard Kennedy School.
- Stella started her career as a human rights activist and was involved in several cases of human rights violations, especially against women and children.
- She served as a special assistant and adviser to the executive governor of Delta State on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) from 2011 to 2015.
- Stella resigned from NEXIM Bank in 2021 to join politics and contested for the senatorial seat of Delta Central Senatorial District but lost to the incumbent senator, Ovie Omo-Agege.
- Okotete is married to a businessman and philanthropist, who prefers to keep his identity private. They have three children together.
- Stella is a devout Christian and a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
- Stella is an avid reader, writer, and speaker. She has authored several books and articles on various topics, such as leadership, governance, gender equality, peacebuilding, and export development.
- Stella has received several awards and recognitions for her contributions to national development and women’s empowerment. Some of them include The Most Outstanding Female Public Servant Award by Women In Leadership Series (WILS) in 2018, The African Women Leadership Award by the Centre for Economic and Leadership Development (CELD) in 2019, The Most Influential Woman In Export Finance Award by Global Trade Review (GTR) in 2020, and The Woman Of The Year Award by Nigerian Women Achievers Awards (NWAA) in 2021.
- Stella has an official website, a Twitter account, a Facebook page, a LinkedIn profile, and an Instagram account where she shares her views and activities with the public.
No Responses Yet