Jerome Udoji
Chief Jerome Oputa Udoji CMG, CFR, was a Nigerian known for his roles in business administration, government service, philanthropy, and as a traditional leader. He held the title of Igwe Ozuluoha I of Igboland. Udoji gained recognition for his participation in the "Udoji Award" and his various government and private sector contributions. He received his education at the University of Cambridge in England and the Economic Institute of the World Bank in Washington. Udoji held titles such as Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Papal knight of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great.
Udoji served as the first Chairman of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, now Nigerian Exchange Group, and the second Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria. He was also the chairman of football club Udoji United F.C. which won the Nigeria Premier League title in 1996. The Anambra State government office building in Awka is named in his honor as the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Building, hosting civil servants and state officials.
Early life and education
Born in 1912 in Ozubulu, Ekusigo in Anambra State, Udoji began his education journey at St. Michael's Catholic School, Ozubulu, followed by St. Charles Training College, Onitsha, and later Kings College, Cambridge University, England. He was called to the Bar at Gray's Inn, London, in 1948. Additionally, Udoji pursued further studies at the World Bank, Washington, between 1955 and 1956. Udoji's educational pursuits were complemented by his teaching experiences at schools in Eastern and Western regions, including Ibadan Grammar School and Abeokuta Grammar School. He also served as a secretary in charge of the Western Nigerian provinces.Public service
Upon his return from England, Udoji embarked on a career in the Colonial Administrative Service. He served as an assistant district officer in Ado Ekiti and later as district officer for Egbado. Udoji's service extended to Ondo and Abeokuta provinces. In 1954, he moved to the Eastern region and assumed the role of permanent secretary in the ministries of Health, Commerce, Finance, and Establishments. By 1959, Udoji was appointed as Head of the Region's civil service, Chief Secretary to the Premier of the Eastern Region, Michael Okpara, and Secretary to the Executive Council. These roles continued until the 1966 Nigerian coup d'état. After this, he briefly practiced law and worked as a Ford Foundation Consultant in Administration and Management.In 1972, during Nigeria's oil boom, the Yakubu Gowon administration asked Udoji to lead a commission reviewing civil service standards and compensation in the country. The commission made recommendations, known as the "Udoji Award," which included salary increases, civil servant training, administrative structure reforms, and the introduction of goal-oriented management. Udoji's contributions extended beyond Nigeria, as he served as the Chairman of the Africanisation Commission of the East African Community in 1963 and participated in various international initiatives.