Draft:Abiodun Essiet

Abiodun Essiet (born 3 January 1986) is a Nigerian gender equality activist and politician who currently serves as Senior Special Assistant to president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Early life and education
Essiet was born in Ogun State, Nigeria in 1986.

Abiodun Essiet was educated at United Missionary Comprehensive College, Ibadan, Oyo State, where she obtained her Senior Secondary School Certificate in 2002, having completed her Junior Secondary School at Queens School, and Ifeoluwa Nursery and Primary School in 1999, all in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Essiet proceeded to acquire Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree (BNSC)- College of Medicine, Department of Nursing from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria in 2010.

Currently, she is under going PhD in International development at UIBE Beijing. She is a Mandela Washington fellow, also a fellow of Coady International Institute Canada.

Political career
Essiet contested for Vice chairman for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) under All Progressive Congress (APC). She became the first Yoruba person to contest for the Vice chairman for AMAC since the creation of the Area council.

In May 2022 she was appointed as Special Adviser to Honourable Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. A.A Candido, Nigeria On CT/ Donor Agencies and Civil Societies to create an enabling environment for development partners to engage with the government.

Essiet contested for the Orozo ward Councilor under Abuja Municipal Area Council in All Progressive Congress APC 2020-.

Awards received

 * Local Government Accountanility Award, AMAC, 2021
 * Good Governance Facilitor Award, DEAN, 2022

Memberships
Essiet is a member of the following professional bodies:
 * YALI Network

Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls (AEIG)
Essiet established AEIG in 2008 as a result of the high prevalence of teenage pregnancy in the local community in Ejigbo, Osun State Nigeria. It is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Nigerian women and girls as well as promoting their sexual and socio-economic well-being and addressing the menace of sexual and gender-based violence.