Permanent Secretary, FCT

Profile of Engr. John Obinna Chukwu (B. Eng., Msc., C. Eng. MNSE, MASCE, MNIM, MCOPRI, MCI), FCT PERM SEC.

Engr. John Obinna Chukwu was born on June 26, 1957 to his Nonagenarian and Septuagenarian parents Okenze Ezinna I. N. Chukwu and Ezinne Lolo Josephine Chukwu, from Amuzi, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA in Imo state.

His primary education spanned between his serene home town of Amuzi and Enugu where gained admission into Community Secondary School, Amuzi Ahiazu Mbaise, 1970. Thereafter, he sat and passed his ‘A’ Levels, Higher School Certificate, from the famous Dennis Memorial Grammar School Onitsha, DMGS of old East Central State now, Anambra State, after the mandatory two years of study in 1976.

He then proceeded to the famous University of Nigeria Nsukka where he took a first degree in Civil Engineering, graduating with a Second Class Honours, Upper Division in 1982.

His pursuit for academic excellence was unrelenting as he proceeded to the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom and acquitted himself with a Master of Science, M.SC, in Construction Engineering and Management in 1986 and also European Economic Community (EEC) study fellow. Engr. Chukwu is a professional technocrat to the core, which has contributed to his pedigree of excellence performance in service delivery.

After his National Youth Service Scheme in Bauchi, 1982-1983, he joined the Civil Service as Civil Engineer, Grade II, with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Environment, Lagos. Between 1983-2003, Engr. Chukwu rose through the ranks, by sheer dint of hard work, resilience, dedication to duty, to the rank of an Assistant Director, in various challenging appointments such as; the Lagos Shoreline Protection Project at Lagos Island, Ikoyi and Victoria Island, as well as the Lagos Bar Beach Erosion Project among others.

A versatile procurement specialist, he served between 2005-2010 as Assistant Director (Procurement) at Budget Monitoring & Price Intelligence Unit, (BMPIU), later Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, Presidency and also as the pioneer Director, Procurement, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources where his task included setting up the Procurement Department.

At a 2009 workshop on Budget Implementation organized by the Budget Office of the Federation, it was in view of his excellent team spirit and dedication to duty that the 92% budget implementation was achieved by the then Agriculture and Water Resources Ministry in FY-2008, which made the Ministry to stand out as a reference point throughout the programme.

Similarly, the same feat was achieved in 2009

Engr. J. O. Chukwu has been at the helm of the Public Procurement Department at the Federal Ministry of Works from May 2010 to 6th March, 2012 when he was appointed Permanent Secretary, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

A thorough Professional with a quest for excellence, he is a member of five (5) Professional bodies in the Engineering Profession and has attended several courses both locally and internationally in his relentless quest for personal and professional development. He loves reading books in varied subject areas, and has travelled widely. He believes Nigeria should be better than what we have made of it.

An astute administrator and good communicator, urbane, modest and unassuming, this self assured man who always values application of intellect and logic in all his endeavors was in December, 2004 given a letter of Commendation for excellent work done and good conduct on the Technical Sub-Committee on Permanent Solution to the Bar Beach Shoreline Erosion problem, by the then Minister of works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe. He was also a member on the Board of Directors, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, (NAIC) as a representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources. In July 2012, he was a member of a Panel of Inquiry on Pension Matters in the Power Sector - PHCN

His benevolent spirit has seen to his active participation in community development. He has over the years literally transported his wealth of experience in remembering the very remote communities of Amuzi and environs where he hails, demonstrating in very extra ordinary measures, community developments efforts for which he and his wife, are generously acknowledged.

A man with a broad mind and clarity of thought, he is an active member of Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos, and IBB International Golf and Country club, Abuja with hobbies that include Golf, Lawn Tennis, Swimming and Music.

Engr. John Chukwu is married to Chief Mrs. Tina Ulunma Chukwu, an entrepreneur and supportive wife with four loving children.