Chuku Wachuku

Chuku Wachuku (born Chukumere “Anaba Ndubuisi” Wachuku, 1947) is a royal prince of Ngwaland in Nigeria. He is a descendant of King Josaiah Ndubuisi Wachuku, the paramount chief (Onye Isi) and Eze of Ngwaland in the then Aba Division of Eastern Nigeria. Wachuku’s heritage ties him to a legacy of leadership, community service, and cultural preservation. He is the nephew of Jaja Wachuku, Nigeria’s first Speaker of the House of Representatives, first Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and first Minister for Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations.

Wachuku was educated in the United States, where he honed his skills as an economist and specialist in entrepreneurship development, particularly in the areas of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). His academic and professional journey positioned him as a leading voice in Nigeria’s economic and political landscape.

Career Overview
Chuku Wachuku has built an illustrious career as an economist, politician, business analyst, and servant leader. His work spans decades of contributions to Nigeria’s economic development, with a focus on entrepreneurship and SME growth. Below are highlights of his career accomplishments:

1. Director-General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE):
   Wachuku made history as the first Ngwa-origin Director-General of a major Federal Government parastatal in Nigeria. Appointed by then-President Ibrahim Babangida, he served as Director-General of the NDE, where he was instrumental in creating policies and programs to address unemployment and promote skill development among Nigerian youth.
2. President and CEO, AIEN (Agriculture and Industrial Entrepreneurs of Nigeria):
   Wachuku currently leads AIEN, an organization dedicated to advancing agricultural industrialization and sustainable entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Through AIEN, he has championed initiatives such as the Agricultural and Industrial Clusters project, aimed at creating jobs and promoting food security across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. He has also facilitated significant partnerships, such as a $41 million Memorandum of Understanding with Nigeria’s Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).
3. National President, Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI):
   During his tenure as NASSI president, Wachuku worked tirelessly to advocate for the growth of small-scale industries in Nigeria. He initiated programs to improve access to funding, promote industrial development, and support entrepreneurs in achieving global manufacturing standards. Under his leadership, NASSI partnered with financial institutions like First Bank of Nigeria and NERFUND to provide microcredit facilities for SMEs.
4. Advisor to the Federal Government and International Organizations:
   Wachuku has served as a consultant economist and advisor to both national and international organizations, including the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland. His expertise in entrepreneurship development and SME growth has made him a trusted voice in shaping Nigeria’s economic policies.

Appointments and National Service

1. Presidential Appointments:
   • Member of the governing board of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
   • Member of the governing board of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
   • Member of the governing board of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).
   • Delegate representing the South-East geopolitical zone at the 2014 Nigerian National Conference.
2. Political Involvement:
   In 2023, Wachuku ran for the Abia Central Senatorial seat under the Young Progressives Party (YPP). While he lost the election, his campaign emphasized transparency, good governance, and economic empowerment for the people of Abia State.

Key Initiatives and Advocacy

1. Entrepreneurship and SME Development:
   Wachuku has consistently championed SMEs as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. He has worked to secure affordable loans, reduce collateral requirements, and advocate for favorable policies to empower small-scale industrialists.
2. Agricultural Empowerment:
   Through AIEN, Wachuku has promoted sustainable agricultural practices and industrialization to achieve food security and job creation in Nigeria.
3. Power Supply Advocacy:
   Wachuku has long called for stable power supply in Nigeria, emphasizing its critical role in boosting industrial productivity and economic growth.
4. Youth Employment:
   Recognizing the need for job creation, Wachuku has advocated for private sector-led initiatives to empower Nigeria’s youth. He has stressed that the government alone cannot meet the employment needs of a growing population.

Family and Personal Life
Chuku Wachuku was born into a prominent family with deep roots in Ngwaland. His late mother, High Chief Mrs. Lilly Wachuku, and father, High Chief Benjamin Anaba Ndubuisi Wachuku, raised him alongside his siblings: Obimndi Wachuku, Nne Wachuku, Mrs. Nne Stanley Onyemerekeya, Okey Wachuku, and Anaba Wachuku.

He is married to Mrs. Ngozi Wachuku (née Abengowe), with whom he has four sons: Onyema, Anaba, Ikechukwu, and Kelechi Wachuku. His second son, Onyema Wachuku, served as the Commissioner for Small and Medium Enterprises Development in Abia State from 2019 to 2021, making him the youngest commissioner in the state’s history.

Wachuku was previously married to Gayle Elaine McMillian, with whom he has two children: his first son, Chukumere Wachuku Jr., and his daughter, Tuwuoanidiari Elaine Onyinyechi Wachuku.

Legacy and Contributions
Chuku Wachuku’s career is a testament to his dedication to economic development, entrepreneurship, and public service. As a thought leader and advocate for SMEs, he has left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s business landscape. His unwavering commitment to servant leadership, sustainable development, and youth empowerment continues to inspire generations of Nigerians.

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