Introduction

Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr. is a Nigerian Finance professional, administrator, and investment banker.

He was born to the family of Dr Asuquo Ekpenyong who is an astute manager of resources, and a prominent banker. He was a former commissioner of finance in Cross River State.

Profile

D.O.B – August 25, 1985

State of Origin –  Odukpani local government area, Cross River.

Spouse – Nela Duke

Education

Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr went to Kings College Lagos for his secondary education and then progressed to the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree.

Ekpenyong Jr. also pursued his Masters degree and was awarded a M.Sc.. Distinction in International Banking and Financial Services by the University of Reading, UK, in 2008.

Ekpenyong Jr. also attended the Key Executive Program at the Harvard Business School, Boston USA.

Ekpenyong has also attended several training programmes, including the Global Executive Leadership Program at Howard University Business School, Washington D.C.; the Executive Management Development Program at the University of Pretoria, South Africa; the Euromoney Oil and Gas School London, etc. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

Politics

Ekpenyong Jr. became a commissioner for finance at the age of 29, known to be the youngest commissioner in Nigeria.

In 2022, he has declared to join the governorship race under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to further establish and improve the legacy of the outgoing governor.

Career

Upon his return to Nigeria, he joined the Faculty of Management Sciences at the University of Calabar as a Lecturer in the Department of Banking and Finance where he worked from 2009 to 2012.

He also founded Iquasu Limited, which today has become one of the biggest indigenous logistics services providers. Concurrently, he served as the Managing Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria licensed Chamley Bureau De Change. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Ekondo Microfinance Bank from 2013 to 2015, serving on several critical Board Committees including the Credit, Establishment, Audit, Finance and General Purposes Committees.

In November 2015 he was appointed the commissioner of finance by the present governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prof) Benedict Ayade, a position he held to until he resigned to contest for the seat of the state governorship.