Dr. Jumoke Oduwole stands among Africa’s most respected voices in economic policy, legal reform, and development strategy.
Appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment in 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, she is leading ambitious efforts to boost investor confidence, accelerate industrial growth, and reposition Nigeria in the global economy.
Her leadership is marked by clarity, courage, and a deep commitment to inclusive progress.
Her path to national impact is built on an extraordinary academic foundation: a first-class LL.B. from the University of Lagos, an LL.M. in Commercial Law from the University of Cambridge, and both a Master’s and Doctorate in International Trade and Development from Stanford Law School.
These global credentials fuel her ability to bridge policy and practice with precision.
Before her ministerial appointment, Dr. Oduwole served as Special Adviser to two Nigerian presidents on Ease of Doing Business and Investment.
From 2015 to 2023, she led the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), overseeing more than 200 landmark reforms across all levels of government.
Her work earned Nigeria recognition among the top 10 most improved economies in the World Bank’s Doing Business report.
She played a pivotal role in creating the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN), chaired the Technical Working Group for Nigeria’s National Development Plan (2021–2025), and contributed to strategic bodies such as the AfCFTA Implementation Committee and the National Tax Policy Review.
In recognition of her contributions, she received two of Nigeria’s highest national honors in 2023: Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
In 2024, she was inducted into the MIPAD Hall of Fame and named among the Global Top 100 in Export and International Trade.
Her influence extends internationally.
She is a Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, Governance Advisor to MIT’s Gov/Lab, and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network through the ALIWA Fellowship.
At home, she has lectured in law at the University of Lagos since 2004 and currently serves as Vice President (West Africa) of the African Association of International Law.
She previously held the Prince Claus Chair in Development and Equity, awarded by a curatorium chaired by H.M. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.
Earlier in her career, she worked in investment banking and corporate finance at FCMB Capital Markets and Guaranty Trust Bank, focusing on capital markets, M&A, and telecoms finance.
A passionate mentor, she founded No Limits Nigeria, which has inspired thousands of young Nigerians to lead with purpose and integrity.
Dr. Oduwole is a powerful blend of intellect, vision, and unwavering national service, a defining force in Nigeria’s future.
Her journey is a lesson in using expertise not just for excellence, but for impact.
