Discover the complete Joe Igbokwe biography including his age, net worth, political career, family, wife, controversies, and legacy as APC chieftain and Lagos State adviser. Learn about his engineering background, business ventures, and role in Nigerian politics.

Who is Joe Igbokwe?

Joe Igbokwe is a Nigerian politician, engineer, and public commentator who has served in various capacities within the Lagos State Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Born on 30 April 1956 in Uruagu, Nnewi, Anambra State, Igbokwe is currently the Special Adviser for Drainage and Water Resources to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. He is widely recognised for his vocal political stances, particularly his opposition to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement and his long-standing association with former Lagos State Governor and current Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Throughout his career, Igbokwe has been a polarising figure in Nigerian politics, admired by some as a bridge-builder between ethnic groups and criticised by others for his controversial positions. His journey from mechanical engineer to political powerbroker illustrates the complexities of Nigerian ethnic politics and the personal costs of political conviction.

Key Details of Joe Igbokwe Biography

Personal Information	Details
Full Name	Joseph Igbokwe
Date of Birth	30 April 1956
Age	69 years old (as of 2025)
Place of Birth	Uruagu, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria
State of Origin	Anambra State
Nationality	Nigerian
Tribe/Ethnicity	Igbo
Religion	Christianity
Occupation	Politician, Engineer, Public Affairs Analyst
Current Position	Special Adviser for Drainage & Water Resources, Lagos State
Political Party	All Progressives Congress (APC)
Education	B.Eng. Mechanical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1985)
Spouse	Dr Grace Igbokwe
Children	Three (two sons and one daughter)
Parents	Chief Daniel Igbokwe (father), Dinah Igbokwe (mother)
Net Worth	Estimated $2-5 million
Professional Bodies	Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN)

Early Life and Education Background

Joseph Igbokwe was born on 30 April 1956 in Uruagu, Nnewi, located in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. He was born into the family of Chief Daniel and Dinah Igbokwe, who were deeply rooted in Igbo traditions and values. His father was a respected businessman whilst his mother was known as a dedicated trader committed to her family and community.

Igbokwe received his primary education at Uruagu Central School in Nnewi, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1971. He proceeded to Okongwu Memorial Grammar School (OMGS) in Nnewi for his secondary education, passing out in 1979. During his final year at OMGS, he served as Head Boy in the 1978/79 academic session, demonstrating early leadership qualities.

In 1980, Igbokwe gained admission to study Mechanical Engineering at the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Whilst at university, he served as Vice President of the Association of Mechanical Engineering Students during the 1984/85 session. He graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1985. Following his graduation, he completed his mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Ogun State.

Business Ventures and Net Worth

After completing his NYSC, Joe Igbokwe founded Optimum Plaza and First Grade International Ltd in 1988 with assistance from the National Directorate of Employment. He also established National Vision Newspapers Ltd, demonstrating his interest in media and public communication beyond engineering. These entrepreneurial ventures laid the financial foundation for his eventual move into public service and politics.

As of 2025, Joe Igbokwe’s net worth is estimated to be between $2 million and $5 million, according to various sources. His wealth is derived from his engineering businesses, newspaper publication, and income from his various government positions over nearly two decades. He is a registered member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

Political Career and Rise to Prominence

Entry into Lagos State Government

Joe Igbokwe’s transition from private enterprise to public service began in 2006 when he joined the Lagos State Government as the pioneer General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA). This appointment marked the beginning of his long association with Lagos State politics, despite being an Igbo man in a predominantly Yoruba political structure.

His role at LASIMRA allowed him to apply his engineering expertise to infrastructure development whilst simultaneously building political networks that would prove valuable in his subsequent career.

Leadership in the All Progressives Congress

Engr Joe Igbokwe served as State Chairman of the defunct Action Congress (AC), which subsequently fused into the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The ACN later merged with the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In 2015, Igbokwe was appointed the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, positioning him as one of the party’s most visible spokespeople in Nigeria’s commercial capital. In the same year, he was appointed as the pioneer Chairman of the Wharf Landing Fees Collecting Authority (WLFCA) in Apapa, a strategic position overseeing revenue collection at one of Nigeria’s busiest ports.

He currently serves as Special Adviser for Drainage and Water Resources to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a position he has held since his appointment to the governor’s cabinet.

Career Milestones and Achievements

Year	Position/Achievement	Organisation
1985	Graduated with B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering	University of Nigeria, Nsukka
1988	Founded Optimum Plaza and First Grade International Ltd	Private Sector
1988	Established National Vision Newspapers Ltd	Private Sector
2006	Appointed Pioneer General Manager	Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance & Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA)
2010s	Served as State Chairman	Action Congress (AC)
2015	Appointed Public Relations Officer	All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State
2015	Appointed Pioneer Chairman	Wharf Landing Fees Collecting Authority (WLFCA), Apapa
2019-Present	Appointed Special Adviser for Drainage & Water Resources	Lagos State Government
2017-2025	Vocal Opposition to IPOB Movement	Public Political Discourse

The IPOB Controversy and Personal Attacks

One of the defining aspects of Joe Igbokwe’s political career has been his vocal opposition to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Igbokwe’s support for the APC often put him at odds with his Igbo kinsmen, many of whom viewed him as a traitor for aligning with a party perceived to marginalise the Southeast region.

In 2020, he publicly criticised IPOB, describing its leader Nnamdi Kanu as a “terrorist” and accusing the group of inciting violence in the region. This statement sparked widespread outrage amongst IPOB supporters, leading to threats against him and his family.

Igbokwe later revealed that Kanu had allegedly ordered his followers to behead him wherever they found him, and extended similar threats to his children. He recounted how his family lived in fear, with IPOB supporters calling his phones to issue threats and invectives.

In October 2021, Igbokwe’s home in Nnewi, Anambra State, was allegedly burnt down by IPOB members, representing a physical manifestation of the threats he had received. Despite these attacks, Igbokwe maintained his position against the separatist movement.

As recently as October and November 2025, Igbokwe has continued to oppose calls for Nnamdi Kanu’s release, insisting that the IPOB leader must face justice for alleged violence in the Southeast. He stated that “a man who led Igbo young men and women to kill our people in 10 years, burnt our homes, stole our wives, closed our markets and businesses does not deserve pity or pardon.”

Relationship with President Bola Tinubu

For years, Joe Igbokwe’s name became synonymous with unflinching loyalty to Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As the Publicity Secretary of the Lagos State chapter of the APC, Igbokwe was amongst the most vocal advocates of Tinubu’s political ideologies and leadership style, championing Tinubu’s legacy as a transformative governor of Lagos State and later as a political kingmaker.

However, following Tinubu’s ascent to the presidency in 2023, Igbokwe’s tone began to shift. Reports suggest that expectations for political appointments and the fulfilment of campaign promises gave way to disillusionment when Igbokwe ostensibly perceived himself as being sidelined from Tinubu’s inner circle.

By September 2024, Igbokwe publicly pleaded with President Tinubu to review the new electricity tariff, lamenting that he spent ₦20,000 on electricity units that lasted only one day in his small office. He stated: “PBAT, please look into the new electricity tariff in Nigeria. It will kill businesses if the government does not act as quickly as possible.”

In April 2025, Igbokwe issued a warning regarding the perceived marginalisation of the Southeast, stating: “If Nigeria continues to treat the South-East as if the zone does not exist or does not matter, the consequences will be huge.” This marked a significant departure from his previous unwavering defence of the administration.

Despite occasional criticisms, Igbokwe continues to defend Tinubu against certain attacks, particularly when activist Omoyele Sowore referred to the president as a “criminal” in August 2025. Igbokwe responded by stating that such comments constituted “an insult on 250 million Nigerians.”

Personal Life: Wife, Children and Family

Joe Igbokwe is married to Dr Grace Igbokwe, who has been a supportive partner throughout his political career. The couple is blessed with three children—two sons and one daughter—although Igbokwe maintains relative privacy regarding his family life, rarely disclosing detailed information about them in public forums.

His decision to shield his family from excessive public scrutiny became particularly important given the threats and attacks he faced due to his political positions, especially during the height of tensions with IPOB supporters.

Political Philosophy and Public Perception

Joe Igbokwe’s political philosophy centres on Nigerian unity over ethnic separatism. He has consistently argued against the feasibility of Biafran independence in the 21st century, believing that the Igbo people are better served within a united Nigeria. This position has made him controversial within his own ethnic group whilst earning him support amongst those who prioritise national unity.

Political analysts have described Igbokwe’s journey as illustrating the transactional nature of political loyalty in Nigeria, where support is often contingent on personal gain. His shift from Tinubu’s staunchest defender to a cautious critic has been interpreted as evidence of the fragile nature of political alliances when individual ambitions are thwarted.

Public perception of Igbokwe remains deeply divided. Supporters view him as a courageous bridge-builder who sacrificed personal safety for his convictions about Nigerian unity. Critics, particularly within the Igbo community, regard him as an opportunist who betrayed his people for political gain in Yoruba-dominated Lagos politics.

Legacy and Impact on Nigerian Politics

Joe Igbokwe’s legacy is complex and contested. On one hand, he represents the possibility of cross-ethnic political alliances in Nigeria, having successfully navigated Yoruba-dominated Lagos politics as an Igbo man for nearly two decades. His role in the formation and consolidation of the APC in Lagos State contributed to the party’s dominance in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

On the other hand, his vocal opposition to IPOB and Biafran separatism, whilst consistent with his belief in Nigerian unity, has cost him standing amongst many in his ethnic group. The burning of his ancestral home represents the very real dangers faced by those who take controversial political positions in Nigeria’s ethnically charged environment.

His recent criticisms of economic policies under the Tinubu administration, after years of defending the political machinery that brought Tinubu to power, also illustrate the tensions between political loyalty and personal experience of governance outcomes.

As of November 2025, at 69 years old, Igbokwe remains active in Lagos State politics and continues to be a vocal commentator on national issues through his social media platforms, particularly Facebook.

Conclusion

Joe Igbokwe’s biography represents one of the most fascinating and controversial political journeys in contemporary Nigerian politics. From his beginnings as a mechanical engineering student in Nsukka to his current role as a key adviser in Lagos State Government, his career has been defined by crossing ethnic and political boundaries that many others refuse to approach.

His unwavering stance against Biafran separatism, despite being Igbo, cost him his ancestral home and his standing amongst many of his kinsmen. His long association with Bola Tinubu and the APC brought him political influence but also criticism when he began questioning certain policies of the administration he helped bring to power.

Whether viewed as a bridge-builder or an opportunist, Joe Igbokwe remains a significant figure in Nigerian political discourse—a reminder that in Nigeria’s complex ethnic landscape, those who occupy the middle ground often pay the highest price.

FAQs About Joe Igbokwe Biography

Q1: How old is Joe Igbokwe?
Joe Igbokwe was born on 30 April 1956, making him 69 years old as of 2025.

Q2: What is Joe Igbokwe’s net worth?
Joe Igbokwe’s net worth is estimated to be between $2 million and $5 million, derived from his engineering businesses, media ventures, and government positions.

Q3: Who is Joe Igbokwe’s wife?
Joe Igbokwe is married to Dr Grace Igbokwe, and they have three children together.

Q4: What is Joe Igbokwe’s current position?
He currently serves as Special Adviser for Drainage and Water Resources to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Q5: What political party does Joe Igbokwe belong to?
Joe Igbokwe is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and previously served as the party’s Public Relations Officer in Lagos State.

Q6: Why is Joe Igbokwe controversial?
Igbokwe is controversial primarily due to his vocal opposition to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Nnamdi Kanu, which has drawn criticism from many in the Igbo community who view him as betraying his ethnic group.

Q7: What happened to Joe Igbokwe’s house?
In October 2021, Igbokwe’s ancestral home in Nnewi, Anambra State, was reportedly burnt down, allegedly by IPOB supporters in retaliation for his criticism of the movement.

Q8: What is Joe Igbokwe’s educational background?
He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, obtained in 1985.

Q9: Is Joe Igbokwe still supporting President Tinubu?
Igbokwe’s support for President Tinubu has become more nuanced since 2024, with him occasionally criticising certain policies whilst still defending the president against personal attacks.

Q10: Where is Joe Igbokwe from?
Joe Igbokwe hails from Uruagu, Nnewi, in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria.