Kemi Nelson Explained

Kemi Nelson
Office:Executive Director, Nigerian Insurance Trust Fund (NSTIF)
Appointer:Muhammadu Buhari
Appointer2:Bola Tinubu
Party:All Progressives Congress
Office1:Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation
Termstart:2019
Termend:2022
Termstart1:1999
Termend1:2003
Birth Date:9 February 1956
Birth Name:Olukemi Nelson
Children:3
Spouse:Adeyemi Nelson

Olukemi "Kemi" Nelson (9 February 1956 – 17 July 2022) was a Nigerian politician and socialite.[1] She was the Executive Director of the Nigerian Insurance Social Trust Fund (NSTIF).[2]

Early life and education

Nelson was born in Lagos on 9 February 1956 and attended Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode for her secondary education. For her tertiary education, she attended school of Nursing in the University College Hospital Ibadan where she qualified as a registered Nurse and Midwife.[3] She got an MBA in Financial Management and a Diploma in Law from the Lagos State University Ojo.

Political career

In the 1980s, Nelson joined the now defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) during the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. She was the senatorial candidate for the Lagos West Senatorial district in 1992 and was defeated at the polls by Bola Ahmed Tinubu.[4]

In 1998, during the regime of General Abacha, she contested the Ikeja Federal Constituency in the house of assembly, this time, as a member of UNCP. She won the election but it was truncated by the death of General Abacha.

In 1999, she joined Alliance for Democracy (AD) and from 1999 to 2003, she served as the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation during the tenure of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and has served as the Women Leader of Lagos State Chapter of The All Progressives Congress (APC) and was later made the South West Women Leader of APC.[5]

She was the only female serving member of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC).

She was the Executive Director of Operations of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and previously headed the Ministry of Establishment, Training and Job Creation.[6] [7] [8]

Personal life

She was married to Adeyemi Nelson,[9] a retired director of Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs. They married in 1981 and have three children. She is known for her low cut hair style and her unique headgear.[10]

She died on 17 July 2022 at the age of 66.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Akinwale. Funsho. Kemi Nelson gets federal appointment. 9 March 2021. The Guardian (Nigeria). 22 April 2017 .
  2. Web site: Ojekunle. Aderemi. 3 August 2019. 31 of the most high-profile female appointees in Buhari's government. 9 March 2021. Pulse Nigeria.
  3. Web site: CHIEF (MRS) OLUKEMI NELSON. 6 March 2021. Pro-Health HMO. en-US.
  4. Web site: Abatti. Tolani. 16 February 2016. Kemi Nelson turns 60, disappoints friends. 9 March 2021. Encomium.
  5. News: Raphael. Lagos political bigwigs celebrate Kemi Nelson. The Sun (Nigeria).
  6. News: Ricketts. Olushola. Again, Kemi Nelson opts for low-key birthday. The Nation. 29 September 2015 .
  7. Web site: Oguntoye. Isaac. Kemi Nelson marks 64th birthday with close friends. Punch Nigeria. 15 February 2020 .
  8. Web site: Sessou. Aisha. 21 March 2019. Amazing 31 women who made list in President Buhari's second term. 12 March 2021. Vanguard (Nigeria).
  9. Web site: When Kemi Nelson's son wedded (2) . Encomium Magazine. 22 July 2021. en-US. 7 December 2013.
  10. Web site: 26 November 2020. (Video): Buhari pays special tribute to Kemi Nelson in Aso Rock Express Day. 9 March 2021. en-US.
  11. News: Ajayi . Adebola . 17 July 2022 . Kemi Nelson, APC women leader and ex-NSITF executive director, is dead . 17 July 2022 . . en-US.