Engr. (Chief) Benson Ocholuje Abounu, CEng, FIProdE, FNSE, FNIMechE, is a chartered engineer, management consultant and politician from Otukpo. He served as Deputy Governor of Benue State from 29 May 2015 to 29 May 2023. Before that he held senior roles in industry, public corporations and state government.

Early Life and Education

Abounu was born on 3 July 1949 in Otukpo, Benue State. He attended Methodist Primary School, Upu-Icho, Otukpo, and then Government College, Makurdi (1964 to 1966). He obtained his school certificate in 1969 at Government Technical College, Ilorin.

At Kaduna Polytechnic he earned a Diploma in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering (1973) and a Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (1975). He then went to Cranfield University in England, where he obtained an MSc in Industrial Engineering in 1978. In 1977 he did an industrial attachment at Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd, Newport Pagnell, England.

He became a Chartered Engineer (CEng) in the UK on 30 September 1981 and was registered with the Engineers Registration Board that year. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Production Engineers, the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

To build his management skills, he went on to the University of Ibadan. He graduated from its premier MBA programme in 1982 with the best overall result. In 1989 he attended the Directors Programme at Ashridge Management College in England.

Career in Industry and Public Service

Back in Nigeria, Abounu worked as Production Manager at John Holt Agricultural Engineers Ltd, Zaria. He later became Technical Manager at Nigerian Breweries Ltd, Iganmu, Lagos. His other roles included:

• General Manager, Okin Bottling Company Ltd, Kaduna
• Executive Director, Nigerian Coal Corporation, Enugu
• Principal Partner, Abounu Benson and Company, Chartered Engineers and Management Consultants
• Sole Administrator and Chief Executive, Nigerian Mining Corporation, Jos

He has served on the boards of NAL Merchant Bank (Lagos), Northern Textile Mills Ltd (Kano), ATMN Ltd (Jos) and Consolidated Tin Mines Ltd (Jos). He also chaired the board of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

Political Career

Abounu entered politics in 1991, when he contested the Benue State governorship primary on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). In 1992 he became Special Adviser to the Governor of Benue State. After the 1993 military takeover he returned to professional practice.

In 1999 he was appointed Commissioner in the administration of Governor George Akume. Over both terms he served in the ministries of Water Resources and Environment, Solid Minerals, and Energy, Science and Technology.

In 2015 he was elected Deputy Governor as running mate to Samuel Ortom, who stood on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform. They were re-elected in 2019. Governor Ortom described him as a loyal and dependable ally.

Boundary Commission and Lobi Stars

From 2015 to 2023 he chaired the Benue State Boundary Commission, where he worked to resolve disputes including the Agila/Ngbo crisis. In the same period he chaired Lobi Stars Football Club, which won the 2018 national league title and qualified for CAF competition.

Service to Idoma Land

Abounu has been active in Idoma affairs. His contributions include:

• Serving as Secretary General of the Apa State creation movement, where he made presentations on behalf of the Idoma nation to both chambers of the National Assembly
• Championing the building of the new Och’Idoma Palace, described as among the most modern in North Central Nigeria
• Pushing for the splitting of Otukpo Township Ward into Wards 1, 2 and 3, and of Otukpo Rural Ward into Okete and Ewulo Wards, and for the restoration of Allan Ward
• Advocating that the Och’Idoma be placed on the same salary scale as the Tor Tiv
• Helping Idoma sons and daughters gain employment in the Benue State Civil Service while he was Commissioner and Deputy Governor

Philanthropy and Honours

He built classroom blocks at his alma mater, Methodist Primary School, Upu-Icho, and has funded scholarships for many Idoma youths. He also reconstructed and equipped a High Court building in Otukpo.

In recognition of his service to the Idoma nation, His Royal Highness Dr. Ajene Okpabi, Och’Idoma II, conferred on him the title Ogobuluwa (Prime Minister) of Idoma Kingdom.

Personal Life

Abounu is married to Hon. Justice Mary Azumi Abounu of the Benue State High Court, and they have children. His interests include tennis, debating and analysing world affairs. He has travelled to every continent.