Azuka Okwuosa was born on November 3, 1959, in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. He hails from Umunzalu kindred, Umueshi Irefi, Oraifite, Ekwusigo, Anambra State. His early education began at All Saints Primary School, Irefi, Oraifite, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1973. He proceeded to Colliery Comprehensive Secondary School, Ngwo, Enugu State, earning his West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and General Certificate of Education (GCE) in 1977.
Okwuosa pursued higher education at the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Enugu, obtaining an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Fine and Applied Arts in 1981. He furthered his studies at the same institution, earning a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Graphics Arts/Advertising in 1983. His academic journey also included theological studies at Samuel Bible Institute, Lagos State, where he graduated with a diploma in theology in 1998.
Career and Business Ventures
Following his education, Okwuosa completed his mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at Tide Newspaper, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from 1983 to 1984. After his OND, he worked as an industrial attaché at Government Press, Enugu (1981–1982). Demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit, he founded Nimex Leads Limited, Enugu, during this period.
Political Career
Okwuosa’s political journey was significantly influenced by his mentor, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, whom he worked with from 1984 to 1994. His political career began when he was elected Chairman of the Nnewi Local Government Council (now split into Ekwusigo and Nnewi North LGAs) from 1994 to 1996.
In 1999, following Nigeria’s return to democracy, Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju appointed Okwuosa as the Commissioner for Works and Transport in Anambra State, a position he held until 2001. From 2002 to 2010, he served as the Secretary-General of the South-East Development Initiative, playing a key role in the region’s infrastructural and political development.
Okwuosa has been actively involved in national politics across multiple parties. He was a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from 1999 to 2003, later joining the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) before settling in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In 2007, he contested for the Anambra South Senatorial seat under APGA but lost. He challenged the election outcome at the tribunal, winning at the Court of Appeal in Enugu, which nullified the election. However, in the 2009 by-election, he lost again.
In 2021, he contested in the APC gubernatorial primaries for the Anambra State election, where he gained significant support but ultimately lost. His campaign focused on security, economic development, and rebuilding Anambra State.
Personal Life and Legacy
Azuka Okwuosa is a Knight of the Anglican Church, known for his commitment to public service, governance, and the development of Anambra State. His father was an ex-serviceman, while his mother was a teacher.
Throughout his career, Okwuosa has remained a staunch advocate for infrastructural development, political inclusion, and youth empowerment in Anambra State and Nigeria as a whole. His unwavering dedication to governance and leadership continues to make him a prominent political figure in the South-East region.