Chief Willie Obiano: Biography of Ex-Anambra Governor

Full Name: Willie Maduabuchukwu Obiano
Date of Birth: 8 August 1955
Place of Birth: Aguleri, Anambra East LGA, Anambra State, Nigeria
Age: 70 years (as of 2025)
Nationality: Nigerian
Ethnicity: Igbo
Religion: Christian

Family:
Chief Obiano was married to Ebele Obiano and blessed with children. He was known as a devoted family man and philanthropist.

Education:

Holy Trinity Primary School, Onitsha

Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha – won the John F. Kennedy Prize for essay writing in 1974

University of Lagos – Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (1979)

University of Lagos – Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing (1993)

Professional Career:

First Bank of Nigeria (1981) – early banking career

Chevron/Texaco – Chief Internal Auditor, including international assignments in Rotterdam, Netherlands

Fidelity Bank – rose to Executive Director (2003)

Political Career:

Elected Governor of Anambra State under All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in March 2014

Re-elected in 2017

Tenure ended March 2022; succeeded by Charles Soludo

Key Achievements as Governor:

Constructed over 1,000 km of roads, 17 bridges, and the Anambra International Airport

Re-equipped secondary school science labs and improved teacher training

Established state health insurance scheme and improved healthcare services

Launched youth empowerment and creative economy programs

Strengthened security architecture across Anambra State

Controversies:

After leaving office, Obiano came under scrutiny by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial mismanagement and irregularities during his tenure.

Some critics accused his administration of prioritizing grand infrastructure projects while neglecting other social sectors, though his supporters defend the long-term impact of his initiatives.

Despite scrutiny, Obiano maintains a reputation as a technocrat whose governance style was rooted in finance and management expertise.

Legacy:
Chief Willie Obiano is remembered as a visionary leader, technocrat, and public servant, dedicated to infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development. His administration left a lasting mark on Anambra State, balancing ambitious development projects with youth and human capital initiatives, though not without controversy.