Obiageli Ezekwesili's picture

Obiageli Ezekwesili

Africa Region Vice President

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Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili, a Nigerian national, was appointed Vice President for the World Bank's Africa Region in 2007. She oversees more than 1600 staff and is responsible for the delivery of projects and economic and sectoral work in 47 Sub-Saharan countries. Oby joined the Bank from her most recent position as Minister of Education in the Government of Nigeria, where she led a comprehensive reform program within the education sector including restructuring and refocusing the ministry for the attainment of Education for All (EfA) targets and Millennium Development Goals. Ms. Ezekwesili began her career with Deloitte & Touche, where she worked as an auditor and management and financial services consultant. She then served as a founding Director of Transparency International (TI) and as TI’s Director for Africa from 1994 to 1999. Ms. Ezekwesili is a chartered accountant and holds a Master's degree in International Law & Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, a Master's degree in Public Policy & Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Nigeria. In 2006, Ms. Ezekwesili was given the national award of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR). She is married to Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili and has three sons.