11/01/2024
BIOGRAPHY: DR (ARC) MICHAEL OZIEGBE ONOLEMEMEN (CON, PhD)
EARLY LIFE
Dr (Arc) Michael Oziegbe Onolememen was born on September 4, 1965, into the noble Uromi, Edo State family of the late Mr Augustine Ezewele Onolememen. His father, who fondly called him Mike, was a notable public servant and community leader. He was a role model to his children in dedicated service, first as a teacher and later as a Forestry Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Mike Onolememen began his early education at Saint Anthony’s (Okpujie) Primary School Uromi and attended Annunciation Catholic College Irrua (1976-1981) and Kings College, Lagos (1981-1982) for his secondary education. He obtained a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Architecture from Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University) Ekpoma in 1985, and an M.Sc. Architecture and M.Sc. Construction Management degrees from the University of Nsukka and the University of Lagos in 1988 and 1990, respectively. He is an alumnus of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Massachusetts, USA, where he obtained a Professional Certificate in Infrastructure in a Market Economy (Public-Private Partnerships in a Changing World) in 2014. Dr Onolememen crowned his academic laurels with a doctorate in Public Policy and Administration (Specializing in Public Management and Leadership) from the prestigious Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA in 2015.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Dr Onolememen began his professional career as a Trainee Architect at Archi-Hives, a company of architects and planners at 11, Coker Road, Ilupeju Estate, Lagos, Nigeria in 1984. He did his mandatory national service (NYSC) at 41 Engineers’ Brigade, Nigerian Army Engineers, Kaduna as a Corps Architect from 1985 - 1986. Thereafter, he worked at the following private firms in various capacities:
• Principal Consultant/CEO, Gomic Consortium International Limited (Chartered Architects & Development Consultants) Abuja (June 2015 – Date)
• Principal Consultant/CEO, Gomic Consortium International Limited (Chartered Architects & Development Consultants) Abuja (June 2007 - June 2011)
• Principal Consultant/CEO, Gomic Consortium International Limited (Chartered Architects & Development Consultants) Lagos (2001 - 2006)
• Member, Interim Management Committee & Head, Directorate of Project Management, Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund (PTF) Abuja (2000 - 2001)
• Principal Partner, Gomic Consortium International Limited (Chartered Architects & Development Consultants) Lagos (1991 - 2000)
• Resident Architect, Interbuild Associates (Architects, Planners & Environmental Design Consultants) Lagos (1989 - 1991)
• Resident Architect, BB Group (Architects & Planning Consultants) Lagos (1988 - 1989)
MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
He achieved the following milestones with his expertise in Design and Project Management, just to list a few:
Design
• Take-off Offices for the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) Lagos
• Masterplan/Design of Residential Estate for Chevron Nigeria, Lekki, Lagos
• Land Use Plan, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos
• Faculty of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka
• Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City
• Lecture Halls & Laboratory Buildings for Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State
• Federal Housing Authority Residential Estate, Rumukwurishi, Port Harcourt
• Auto-Disable Syringe Manufacturing Plant, Calabar
• Federal Ministry of Agriculture Complex, Abuja
• Cassava Processing Plant, Uromi, Edo State
• Publishing Office Complex, Century Media, Lagos
• Luxury Apartments, Lagos
• International Market Complex, Ikorodu, Lagos
• Ultra-Modern Shopping Mall for Lagos Mainland Local Government, Oyingbo, Lagos State
• Refurbishing of Luxury Apartments for NICON Insurance Plc, Ikoyi, Lagos
• Residential Estate, Wuye, Abuja
• Rehabilitation & Urban Renewal Scheme, Nigerian Army Resettlement Centre, Kachia, Kaduna
• Numerous Hotel/Resort/Residential developments nationwide
Project Management
• All Federal Roads Rehabilitation, Construction, Expansion and Maintenance Projects Nationwide
• National Health & Educational Institutions Rehabilitation Programme (NHERP) Nationwide
• Armed Forces & Police PTF Projects Nationwide
• Federal Capital Territory PTF Projects
• National Rural Telephone Programme Nationwide
• Dredging of the Lower River Niger Project
• Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Accident Rescue Centres
• National Irrigation & Dam Development Programme
• Rehabilitation of the State House/Dodan Barracks, Lagos
• Trade Fair Complex, Kaduna
• National Rural Water Supply Programme
• National Rural Electrification Programme
• Nigerian Army Strategic “POL” Reserve
• Rehabilitation of Nigerian Railway Corporation Stations & Workshop Nationwide
• ETF Intervention Projects, Imo State University, Owerri
• Lots of Residential & Commercial Building Projects
POLITICAL CAREER
In recognition of his excellent service and deployment of management skills in the private sector, Dr Onolememen was drafted into the Federal Cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo as the Honourable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Defence, and he served in that capacity from January 2007 to May 2007.
In July 2011, he was appointed the substantive Minister of Works in the cabinet of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and served meritoriously in that capacity until the end of Jonathan’s administration in May 2015.
Administrative Accomplishments
As Minister of State Defence and Member Federal Executive Council, he assisted the Honourable Minister in managing the following, among others:
• The Nigerian Air Force (NAF)
• Affordable Housing Scheme for the Nigerian Armed Forces
• MOD-USDOD HIV Programme (Co-Chairman of Steering Committee, with USA Ambassador to Nigeria)
• Defence Health Maintenance Limited (Chairman of the Board)
• Military Pensions Board (MPB)
• Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON)
• Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA)
• National War College (NWC)
• Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA)
• Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC)
• Command & Staff College (CSC)
• Other Military Training Institutions
• Members, Army Council, Navy Council & Airforce Council
Minister of Works/Member of the Federal Executive Council
• He carried out various strategic reforms in line with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration.
• Member of the National Economic Management Team
• Member of the Economic Management Implementation Team.
• Initiated a US-Nigeria Infrastructure Investment Conference in the USA with the theme: Building The Infrastructure for Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020 where he presented a keynote address titled “Nigerian Economic Blueprint: Vision 20:2020”.
• Increased the kilometres of good motorable road network from 5,000km to 25,000km.
• Completed 62 major road projects across the country and recorded the following milestones:
- “Operation Safe Passage” programme
- Abolition of the use of cut-back bitumen, outlawing the use of kerosene for road construction.
- Introduction of the use of bitumen emulsion;
- Introduction of the use of polymer bitumen
- A new project management template that permits only the valuation of permanent works, thereby eliminating waste that was associated with the Ministry;
- Collaborated with the World Bank leading to about 90% success story from the about 15% inherited to complete critical roads.
- In 2013, he undertook a nationwide good governance media tour to assess the quality and integrity of federal government infrastructure projects, in conjunction with the Ministry of Information.
• Policy Initiatives and Direction on
- Employment of over 500 Young Engineers to the Ministry
- Creation of additional departments including six zonal directorates
- Creation of Independent Zonal Monitoring Teams comprising very senior and highly experienced Engineers in the Private Sector.
- Road Sector Reforms that led to the draft bills on the Federal Road Authority and National Road Fund
- Sponsorship of Engineering Training Activities, locally and internationally
As a two-time former minister, Dr Onolememen has functioned at the highest levels of governance. He is well-versed in harnessing the intricate relationships between the various tiers of government for effective service delivery and sustainable development. This is complemented by his exposure to global best practices through participation in numerous international governance and administrative engagements.
INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENTS & MISSIONS ATTENDED
• Morocco-Nigerian Joint Commission, Rabat, June 2000
• Canadian-Nigerian Joint Commission, Ottawa, April 2001
• Netherlands-Nigerian Joint Commission, The Hague, March 2002
• Led the Nigerian MOD/NAF Delegation to Czech Republic and Ukraine between March 25 and April 2, 2007
• Member of the delegation to the Joint Ministerial Council of the Nigerian-Sao Tome & Principe Joint Development Authority in Sao Tome. Chaired the First Bilateral Meeting of the Council on the Establishment of the Joint Military Commission.
• Chairman, Project Steering Committee of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Regional Highway Project (Lagos-Abidjan-Dakar Corridor) constituted by the Presidents and Heads of Government of West African Countries.
• Led Federal Government delegations to International Conferences/Seminars, viz:
- 2011 Nigeria Investment Summit and Exhibition on “Investments In Roads Infrastructure in Nigeria: Works Ministry’s Programmes, Plans and Opportunities for International Partnership” in New York, USA.
- 2011 World Infrastructure Summit in Paris, France.
- 2012 Global Infrastructure Initiative in Istanbul, Turkey.
- Road Sector Reform Committee to India - Study tour on the country’s road Infrastructure Development.
- 2012 High-Level Business and Investment Summit “Showcasing Nigeria at the London 2012 Olympic Games” at Dorchester Hotel, London.
- 2013 Second High-Level Forum on Global Geo-Spatial Information Management in Doha, Qatar
CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS ATTENDED
• Nigerian Institute of Management Seminar on “Managing Nigeria – Professional Managers’ Re-Orientation and Re-Certification Programme, Abuja. January 2005
• Nigerian Institute of Architects 40th Anniversary Conference/ AGM at Abuja. November 2000
• Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund Zonal Seminars with Stakeholders at Jos and Benin City. July 2000
• Nigerian Institute of Architects Biennial Conference/AGM at Kaduna. November 1997
• Nigerian Institute of Architects Biennial Conference/AGM at Abeokuta. November 1995
• Nigerian Institute of Architects Workshop on “Building Maintenance” at Lagos. July 1995
• Nigerian Institute of Architects Conference on “Architects and Challenges Ahead at Asaba. November 1994
• Nigerian Institute of Architects Workshop on “Design and Build Ventures” at Lagos. July 1993
• Nigerian Institute of Architects Conference on “The Influence of Politics on the Development of Nigerian Architecture” at Ilorin. November 1992
• Nigerian Institute of Architects Conference on “Widening the Knowledge of Other Allied Fields in the Study of Architecture” at Calabar. November 1991
• Nigerian Institute of Architects Seminar on “Professional Practice” at Yaba-Lagos. July 1990
• Nigerian Institute of Architects Conference on “Architecture for the Disabled” at Enugu. November 1988.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
• Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Architects (FNIA)
• Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Management (FNIM)
• Fellow, Nigerian Society of Engineers, (FNSE)
• Fellow, Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (FNIS)
• Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (FNIQS)
• Fellow, Nigerian Mining & Geosciences Society (FNMGS)
• Member, Association of Consulting Architects Nigeria (ACAN)
• Registered Architect by the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON)
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Dr Mike Onolememen epitomizes the core values of Modesty, Integrity, Knowledge, and Empathy (MIKE). It is no wonder that over the years, he has quietly deployed substantial amounts of personal resources and institutional connections to empower citizens of Edo State and beyond in the pursuit of knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to make them productive members of society. This is reflected in the following endeavours:
• Instituted, established and operationalized the “Mike Onolememen Scholarship Foundation” to assist indigent students of Esan extraction in tertiary institutions across the country.
• Initiated the provision of MTN Foundation Learning Facility Supply – Donation of furniture for teachers and learners at Okpujie Primary School, Uromi.
• Initiated the donation of a furnished computer laboratory with a stand-by generator by Reynolds Construction Company Limited at Obeidu Secondary School, Uromi.
• Initiated the provision of ICT tools and services by the Universal Service Provision Fund to enhance e-learning at several secondary schools across Esanland, including Ewoiyi Secondary School, Uromi, Agba Grammar School, Uromi, Igueben Grammar School, Igueben, and Uzea Secondary School, Olinlin-Uzea.
• Gave start-up and youth empowerment funds to many small-scale traders in Esanland, Edo State.
SOCIAL CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Dr Onolememen’s deep connection to any wholesome, ethical, and service-oriented cause dates back to his secondary school days, through university and public service to the present. Thoughts about the vast number of people still in need spur him to identify with philanthropic and service-oriented non-governmental and community-based organisations in which he has led and served and continues to do so. These include but are not limited to the following:
• President, Architecture Students’ Association, Bendel State University Ekpoma
• Chairman, Students’ Union National Delegation Committee, Bendel State University Ekpoma
• Social Secretary/P.R.O. Annunciation Catholic College Irrua Old Boys Association Lagos Branch (1994-1998)
• Chairman Uromi Prime Club Building Committee for the St. Camillus School of Midwifery Project, Uromi (1995-1997)
• Chairman Special Projects Committee, Uromi Prime Club (1997-1999)
• Treasurer Annunciation Catholic College Irrua Old Boys Association, Lagos Branch (1998 -2002)
• National Publicity/Social Secretary Annunciation Catholic College Irrua Old Boys Association (1998 - 2002)
• Member University of Lagos, Akoka Alumni Association
• Member University of Nigeria, Nsukka Alumni Association
• Member IBB International Golf & Country Club Abuja
• President Uromi Prime Club (1999 - 2002)
• Chairman Association of Esan Professionals Abuja (2004 - 2008)
• Patron The Ecumenical Foundation for Africa, Port Harcourt (2004 - Date)
• Chairman Board of Trustees Esan Descendants Advancement Forum (2020 - Date)
EXEMPLARY SERVICE AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
• National Honour: Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) conferred by President Goodluck Jonathan (2014)
• The Academy of Entrepreneurial Studies (AES) Minister of the Year Awards for 2012 and 2013
• Edo NUJ Prestigious Award as the Most Performing Minister of the Year 2013
• African Leadership Award for 2013 by the America-based Centre for Media & Peace Initiatives (CMPI)
• Pilot Newspapers 2013 Minister of the Year Award
• Notable Architect Recognition by Marquis Who's Who
• Traditional Title of the Adolor (‘The Repairer’) of Uromi conferred by the Ojuromi of Uromi Kingdom HRM Anselm Eidenojie II
• Niger State Indigenous Title of the “Builder”
• Honorary Citizenship of the Ijaw Nation conferred by the Bayelsa State Government
• Honorary Citizenship of the State of Georgia, USA conferred in June 2015
PUBLICATIONS
Onolememen is not only a consummate architect and project and human resource manager, but he is also an accomplished scholar and author. A few of his publications attest to this.
a. Textbooks
1. Onolememen, M. O. (2020) “Infrastructure Development in Nigeria: A Political and Economic History”, published by Routledge, United States of America.
2. Onolememen, M. O. (2021) “Bridging The Gap: Memoirs of Nigeria’s Former Minister of Works” published by Author House, United States of America.
b. Theses
1. Onolememen, M. O. (1990) “Towards Effective Labour Utilisation Strategy and Success in the Construction Industry in Nigeria” M.Sc. (Construction Management) Degree, submitted to the School of Post-Graduate Studies, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.
2. Onolememen, M. O. (1988) “A Model Mass Transportation Terminal for Benin City” M.Sc. (Architecture) Degree, submitted to the School of Post-Graduate Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
c. Project Reports
1. Onolememen, M. O. (1990) “Labour Factors in Construction: Advantages and Disadvantages of Direct Labour” submitted to the Department of Building Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.
2. Onolememen, M. O. (1990) “Maroko Issue in Community Development: A Professional View” submitted to the Department of Building Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.
d. Articles
1. Onolememen, M. O. (2006) “A Case For Multi-lateral And Integrated Approach To Infrastructure Development At The Local Government Level (A Focus On Edo Central Senatorial District)
2. Onolememen, M. O. (2005) “Repositioning Edo State For Excellence In Education In The New Millennium: The Challenge Before Us”
3. Onolememen, M. O. (2003) “Empowering The Youths Through Good And Purposeful Governance”
4. Onolememen, M. O. (2022) “The Future of Infrastructure Development in Nigeria” A lecture delivered at the Combined Maiden Convocation of the National Institute of Construction Technology & Management, Uromi, on Friday, July 15, 2022
HOBBIES
Dr Mike Onolememen loves to spend quality time with his wife of almost three decades, Mrs Bibian Omonigho Onolememen, and their children. He dedicates some of his spare time to community engagements, reading, and playing golf, squash, and table tennis.
